Ankle-length, shimmer or pockets: choosing the right leggings

Leggings look alike on a hanger and behave very differently once you are wearing them. Most of us need more than one kind, and knowing which pair does which job makes getting dressed a lot quicker.

Ankle-length leggings: the everyday pair

These are the leggings you reach for without thinking. They end at the ankle bone, so they sit neatly under a kurti of any length and leave room for a pair of juttis, kolhapuris or sneakers to show.

Ours are cotton lycra: the cotton keeps them comfortable through a long, warm day, and the stretch lets them move with you and recover their shape instead of bagging at the knee. They come in everyday colours — black, navy, steel grey, white, beige, teal and brown — so one pair can sit under most of a wardrobe.

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Shimmer leggings: when the outfit needs a lift

Shimmer leggings have a soft sheen rather than sparkle. Under a plain kurti or a solid tunic they quietly dress the whole outfit up, which is why they work for evenings, family functions and festive days without feeling like a costume.

Let the shimmer be the one detail that shines. With a heavily embroidered or printed top, a plain ankle-length pair usually looks better.

Everyday ankle-length (left) and shimmer (right). Side by side the difference is subtle; in evening light it is not.

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Leggings with pockets: for days out and about

Side pockets sound like a small thing until you have spent a day holding your phone in one hand. Our pocket leggings have a mid-waist band that stays put and a slim fit that works as well under a long top or a shirt as it does under a kurti.

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Getting the fit right

• The waistband should lie flat. If it rolls down when you sit, or leaves a deep mark, try the next size.
• No sagging at the knee or seat. Loose fabric there means the pair is too big.
• The length should finish at the ankle bone. A little gathering is fine; fabric pooling over the foot is not.
• Between sizes? Choose the larger one. A slightly roomier waist is far more comfortable on a hot day than a tight one.

Our size guide has the measurements for each size.

Keeping them looking new

Turn leggings inside out before washing — it protects the surface, and the sheen on shimmer pairs especially. Wash in cool water, skip the tumble dryer, and dry them in the shade. If you iron, keep it low and on the inside. The same care that keeps a bra's elastic alive keeps leggings from going baggy; our washing guide covers it properly.

A quick guide

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• Ankle Length Cotton Lycra Leggings — the everyday pair, in seven colours
• Cotton Lycra Shimmer Leggings — a soft sheen for evenings and festive days
• Cotton Leggings with Pockets — side pockets and a mid-waist band

Frequently asked questions

Are leggings comfortable in Indian summers?

Cotton lycra ones are. The cotton breathes and takes up sweat in a way full polyester does not, and the lycra gives the stretch. Lighter colours also feel cooler in the sun.

What is the difference between leggings and churidar?

A churidar is cut longer and gathers in folds at the ankle. Ankle-length leggings end at the ankle bone for a cleaner, modern line that suits shorter kurtis and western tops.

Can I wear shimmer leggings to the office?

Under a plain kurti the sheen is subtle enough for many offices. For a formal workplace, a plain ankle-length pair in black or navy is the safer choice.

How do I stop leggings from looking see-through?

Wear your true size — leggings stretched over a size too small thin out at the knee and seat. Check in daylight by bending forward in front of a mirror. Darker colours are naturally more opaque.

How do I choose the right leggings size?

Go by your waist measurement on our size guide. If you are between sizes, choose the larger one: a slightly roomier waist is far more comfortable on a hot day.