Women's Lycra and Spandex Leggings
Lycra and Spandex are brand names for a type of fiber known as elastane. It was invented at DuPont laboratories in 1958 and used commercially in clothing beginning in 1962. Elastane is made from a polyether-polyurea copolymer of polyester that is often blended with other materials in order to produce a stretchy fabric.
What are styles of women's Lycra leggings are there?- Skinny jeans and jeggings: A blend of cotton denim and elastane is used to make close-fit jeans that look like a cross between Lycra leggings and slim-fitting blue cotton pants. These form-fitting pants are available in colors such as black, white, and acid-washed, or stone-washed blue.
- Cropped: Cropped Lycra leggings reach to just below the knee. They are typically made of black or white fabric and are sometimes worn under a skirt.
- Seamless: Seamless Spandex leggings lack the seams many other pants usually have. Combined with the stretchy material, these leggings are designed to hug the body without being too tight.
- Stirrup: Stirrup-style Spandex leggings have a stretchy band that fits around the ankle and under the foot. These pants are usually black and are worn with horse-riding attire or under a tunic or belted sweater.
- Shapewear: These Lycra and Spandex products can help to streamline your figure. They do so by trying to suppress undesirable areas.
- Select a length: Lycra ankle leggings or Lycra cropped leggings are some of the choices available. For taller individuals, extended-length Spandex leggings are also available. Petite individuals may find shorter Spandex leggings in petite sizes.
- Select a waist: Low-rise leggings, natural waist leggings, and high-waisted leggings are options. Some of these Lycra pants have a fold-over waistband.
- Select a color: Select leggings in black, white, pastel, or bright colors.
- Select a design: Choose leggings that are solid, striped, or have a print.
- Select a material: Cotton and Lycra leggings can be combined. Some cotton and Lycra leggings include viscose in the blend for added sheen.
Women's leggings are designed to have a slimmer profile than non-stretch pants. In most cases, leggings should wrap around the lower body like a pair of tights. To select the right size of leggings, begin by using a cloth tape measure to measure around your natural waist, hips, and inseam. Get your measurements in inches. Each manufacturer has a slightly different size scale. The leggings are usually sized on an extra-small through extra-large scale, and plus sizes and different lengths are also available. In most cases, hips 36 to 37 inches wide are size small, hips 38 to 39 inches wear a size medium, hips 40 to 42 inches wear a size large, and hips that are 43 to 45 inches around wear size extra-large. Remember to double-check with the legging manufacturer.