Leggings with an Actual Elastic in the Waist

December 30, 2024 11:02 AM

I'm looking for women's leggings with an actual elastic waist, not just stretchy fabric, an actual piece of elastic at the waistband.

Other needs: high-waisted, soft, cost is not a factor

Basically all leggings now are just all stretchy fabric, my problem is how my body is built it means the waist just constantly rolls down below my belly and i want to scream 83 times a day. I need something that will "lock in" a little better at the waist.

In the past month I've tried: Alo, Athleta, Lululemon, Vuori, Old Navy, Random "best" ones on Amazon.

I don't care if they are expensive or cheap I just care that they actually stay up and are reasonably soft.

posted by magnetsphere to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)

Best answer: Oh you want the Universal Standard Roya leggings! The waistband is a wide, flat fabric-covered piece of elastic, the rest is incredibly soft and high-quality fabric, they go up practically to the bra strap, and they don't roll down (and EVERYTHING rolls down on me). Honestly it's infuriating how good they are because they cost $72 but I have amassed a large collection via sales and Poshmark because once I put these on the first time my body started rejecting all other leggings like an allergy.
posted by babelfish at 11:23 AM on December 30 [2 favorites]

(Would you consider taking a pair you like to a tailor and having them add elastic at the waist?)
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:24 AM on December 30

Best answer: I am very happy with both the Universal Standard Roya leggings and Boden's high-rise jersey leggings. The Roya ones are definitely a bit better, but not so much so that I'll pay full price for them vs the Boden ones.
posted by EvaDestruction at 11:34 AM on December 30 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I'm wearing the Universal Standard Roya leggings right now, and they are indeed great.
posted by mostlymartha at 11:38 AM on December 30

I basically live in Lane Bryant LIVI Signature Stretch leggings with pockets. The top piece functions like a giant band of elastic, because while it's also just stretchy material, the Signature Stretch stuff is much more supportive and roll-proof while also being soft.

Just don't get the LIVI Soft leggings. That's increasingly what they stock and it's trash. They roll and stretch and generally don't stay up well.
posted by limeonaire at 12:59 PM on December 30 [1 favorite]

Llama Leisure ship to the USA. I have three pairs, all with pockets. They are soft and have proper waist elastication. I was sick of single colour leggings, and they are certainly not that.
posted by Martha My Dear Prudence at 1:16 PM on December 30

Best answer: These No Nonsense leggings have an elastic waistband, lots of color choices, and the ones I have have held up well for years.
posted by augustimagination at 1:41 PM on December 30

I know you've said you tried Old Navy, but it's easy to miss these: velvet leggings. They've got a fully formed elasticized waist. I have them in black and burgundy (which of course isn't on offer this year), and they're amazing, I wear them all the time.
posted by joycehealy at 1:59 PM on December 30 [1 favorite]

Actually, correction: I just took off and checked the waistband of the LIVI Signature Stretch pants I was wearing, and I think there is a big elastic waistband underneath the fabric.
posted by limeonaire at 2:23 PM on December 30

Response by poster: I've started with the Universal Standard and Boden ones! I'll probably add in a pair of the No Nonsense since they are so cheap as well. Thank you all!

(LB doesn't come in my size, I'm built like a pregnant flamingo, it's really fun to try and buy pants. I do actually have multiple pairs of the ON velvet ones from previous years! Just want some non-velvety ones to go with.)
posted by magnetsphere at 6:07 PM on December 30 [2 favorites]

The Universal Standard leggings are also part of their "fit liberty" program, where you one can exchange worn items for a different size within a year if needed. They donate the used items if they are in good shape.
posted by amarynth at 5:54 AM on December 31

If you want a somewhat cheaper version, try Hue leggings. This is my new go-to legging and I have very similar requirements to you.

I used to swear by the Gap's basic leggings, which were very similar, but they just switched them from mostly cotton to mostly rayon and they pill immediately.

I tried some basic Jockey leggings that looked promising but they had an ill-advised seam on the inside at my upper hips that scraped me raw. I now wear them inside out if I wear them at all. Terrible.
posted by urbanlenny at 9:06 AM on January 2

Heads up, for future people who might visit this thread: The leggings I linked to above do not have pockets. I really thought they were the ones that did, based on that photo that seemed to show the model's hand in a pocket, but they do not.

The overall idea is still my recommendation, though: LIVI, Signature Stretch material (the wicking material also used to be good), high-waisted, pockets.
posted by limeonaire at 5:05 AM on January 8