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Leggings vs Jeggings: What Is the Difference?

Leggings and jeggings are both style staples for people who like their clothing to be both comfortable and fashionable. There certainly are similarities between the two, but there are a few key differences as well. I’ve created this guide to discuss some of those differences so that you can make the right choice when it comes to comfortable fashion.

Both leggings and jeggings are tight-fitting pants that are very versatile in how they can be worn. The overall fit of the two is very similar, but the biggest difference is in how they look. Leggings come in many different styles and designs. On the other hand, jeggings are leggings that are designed to look like jeans.

Although they are both similar in how they fit, there may be certain instances when one is the better choice. In this article, I’ll discuss the characteristics of both leggings and jeggings, as well as the pros and cons of each. I’ll also answer some more commonly asked questions about jeans and leggings.

Leggings vs Jeggings

Leggings vs Jeggings: Key Points

The following table provides a brief overview of the key features of leggings and jeggings. It will tell you in which categories they are similar and in which ones they are different.

LeggingsJeggings
FitTight-fitting, stretchyTight-fitting, stretchy but slightly less stretchy than leggings
FabricVariety of different knit fabricsUsually knit polyester with spandex
Texture/FeelSofter feelRougher feel than leggings but softer than jeans
Level of ComfortUsually lightweight and comfortableSlightly heavier than leggings but still comfortable
StyleRange of colors and fabrics, some may be printed or leatherLooks like denim, but may come in different washes
Ease of CareMachine-washableMachine-washable
CostVaries depending on fabric/brandVaries depending on the brand
How to WearCasual, can be worn to the gymNot designed to be worn to the gym

What Are Leggings?

What Are Leggings

Leggings are tight-fitting pants that completely cover the legs. They have long been associated with workout and sportswear. Yes, it is acceptable to wear leggings to the gym, but they can be worn in many other different ways. Leggings have become a style staple for many people.

Leggings can be made from various fabrics, but all leggings have one thing in common. They are all made from a soft knit fabric. Most of them will also have spandex blended into the fabric to give them more stretch.

There are also plenty of ways that you can style leggings. You can dress them up or down and wear them for a variety of different occasions. But most of the people who wear leggings wear them for one reason: comfort.

What Are Jeggings?

What Are Jeggings

Jeggings are basically leggings that are designed to look like skinny jeans. They have many of the same characteristics as leggings, except in how they look. They have a similar softness and tight fit that covers the whole leg.

Although they aren’t technically jeans, they are made with a fabric that looks like denim. But the difference is that jeggings are made with a knit polyester and spandex fabric, while actual denim is made from a cotton twill fabric.

Jeggings also come in different styles, but instead of being made in different colors and prints, they come in different washes, just like regular jeans do. Unlike leggings, jeggings aren’t meant to be worn to the gym. But they are designed to be comfortable and are even acceptable in some workplaces.

What’s the Difference Between Leggings and Jeggings?

Fit

Democracy Women's Ab Solution Jegging, Blue, 10In terms of fit, leggings and jeggings aren’t that different. They are both tight-fitting and have a good bit of stretch to them.

They both have elastic in the waist so that you can easily pull them on.

The only difference between the two is that jeggings may have a bit less stretch to them. But that is mostly because they are made out of polyester instead of a stretchier fabric such as cotton.

Fabric

Telio Organic Cotton Stretch Jersey Knit Teal, Fabric by the YardThe type of fabric they are made from is one of the biggest differences between leggings and jeggings. Leggings can be made from different materials depending on the intended use and style.

For example, a cotton jersey is a common fabric that is used for casual leggings. But leggings can also be made out of polyester, nylon, and wool. No matter what fabric is used, the fabric used to make leggings almost always has spandex blended in.

The fabric used to make jeggings is almost always a polyester knit fabric, sometimes blended with cotton. Jeggings aren’t usually made from other fibers because polyester is functional and serves its purpose of looking like denim. But, like leggings, the polyester usually has spandex blended in.

Texture/Feel

There is a slight difference in the texture and feel of leggings and jeggings. Sometimes that difference is so small that you can’t even tell there is one. But usually, a difference in texture is due to the type of fabric that is used.

Leggings are usually softer than jeggings and can be thinner or thicker than jeggings. Differences in thickness are due to different fabrics being used and whether the leggings are meant to be worn in summer or winter. Winter leggings are usually thicker and may even be lined with fleece or another material.

Jeggings have a rougher texture due to being made from polyester, but they are still very soft to the touch. They also usually only come in one thickness. This is mostly because they are supposed to be a more comfortable version of jeans.

Level of Comfort

TUNGLUNG High Waist Yoga Pants, Yoga Pants with Pockets Tummy Control Workout Pants 4 Way Stretch Pocket Leggings GreyLeggings and jeggings are both pretty equal when it comes to comfort.

The soft texture combined with the fabric’s stretchiness means that they both will feel great against your skin while making it easy for you to move around while wearing them.

Because leggings have just a little more stretch, they are better at moving with you and more comfortable for lounging or working out.

Don’t get me wrong, jeggings still provide good movement, but they are more comfortable for running around town or for a casual outing.

Style

Leggings come in more colors and prints than jeggings do. You can find leggings in pretty much any color you can think of, as well as popular prints such as floral, tie-dye, and animal print. You may also be able to find leggings in different lengths.

Since jeggings are supposed to look like jeans, they usually don’t come in different colors. However, you may find them in different washes, depending on the brand. Just like jeans come in light, medium, and dark washes, some jeggings do as well.

Ease of Care

Both leggings and jeggings are easy to care for. In most cases, they can both be washed in the washing machine and dried in the dryer. But the exact care instructions depend on what fabric they’re made of, especially for leggings.

For example, you can wash cotton leggings, but you want to be careful what water temperature you use and how you dry them. Since cotton can shrink, you don’t want to use heat. With wool leggings, you can wash them in the washing machine, but you don’t want to use the dryer at all. The dryer can damage wool, so you’ll want to hang them to dry instead.

Since jeggings are usually made from polyester, the biggest concern is using too much heat to dry them. Polyester can melt if temperatures are too high, so you’ll want to dry jeggings using low heat. But for both leggings and jeggings, you can check the care tag for specific instructions.

Cost

The cost for both leggings and jeggings will depend on the fabric used to make them and the brand or designer who created them. But in general, they are both very affordable and are a cheaper alternative to jeans. And not only are jeggings more affordable than jeans, but they are also more comfortable.

How to Wear

The general style rule for both leggings and jeggings is to wear a longer top since they are so tight-fitting. But the great thing is that they can both be dressed up or down. You can pair each of them with either a t-shirt or a nicer blouse or tunic top.

Although longer tops are recommended, you don’t necessarily have to wear one. Instead, you can wear a shorter-length top with an oversized jacket, long cardigan, or duster. Another popular and more casual look for both leggings and jeggings is to wear a baggy t-shirt and sneakers.

High-waisted leggings and crop tops are popular for wearing to the gym. Not all workplaces accept leggings and jeggings as part of their dress code, but if yours does, then there are ways to make them look more professional. Pair them with a long, loose-fitting shirt, or wear a skirt or dress over them.

Pros and Cons of Leggings

Legging vs tights

Overall, you can see why leggings are such a popular clothing choice. But, let’s do a quick review of all of the pros that leggings offer.

  • Leggings are one of the most comfortable types of pants there are.
  • They are versatile and can be worn in a lot of different ways.
  • Can be made in different fabrics, colors, and prints, so you can personalize them to your unique style.

But nothing can be 100% perfect, so there are a few cons to leggings as well.

  • Some people can find them to be too tight.
  • May not be appropriate for certain settings, including the workplace or when going to a nicer restaurant.
  • Some people consider it a fashion faux pas to wear shorter tops with leggings (but of course, you should wear what makes you feel comfortable).

Pros and Cons of Jeggings

LICTZNEE Women's Pull On Skinny Jeans High Waist, Stretchy Jeggings Slim Fit Legging, Soft Breathable Cotton Blend, (Light Wash, X-Large)Jeggings have their pros and cons as well.
  • They are more comfortable and more affordable than jeans.
  • Some jeggings also look nicer than leggings, so it is acceptable to wear them to more places.
  • A lot of workplaces allow jeggings as long as you wear an appropriate top.

Cons

  • Can be too tight for some people.
  • They aren’t as durable as jeans, and they don’t have belt loops or as many pockets.
  • There aren’t as many different style options for jeggings since they are limited in how they are made as far as fabric and color.

Are Jeggings Tighter Than Leggings?

Neither leggings nor jeggings necessarily fit tighter than the other one does. Both are designed to be tight-fitting but stretchy, so they have a very similar fit. The biggest difference between leggings and jeggings is not in how they fit but in how they look. Remember that jeggings are basically leggings that are designed to look like jeans.

Do Jeggings Stretch Out?

Jeggings can stretch out, especially if you wear them frequently or they were made with low-quality materials. If they do stretch out, they can become misshapen as well. It is recommended to buy a smaller size so they when they do stretch some, they will stretch to your usual size.

However, sometimes they can stretch in the waist due to having elastic them. Elastic begins to wear down over time, so if you’ve had your jeggings for a while, you may find them to be bigger in the waist due to the elastic being old. If that’s the case, there isn’t anything you can do to fix it.

Jeggings vs Skinny Jeans: What’s the Difference?

Jeggings vs Skinny Jeans

Because of the style and fit of jeggings, they are sometimes confused with skinny jeans. They are not the same, and it mostly has to do with the material they are made of. The material each is made from determines both the function and durability.

For starters, jeggings are usually made from a knit fabric. Skinny jeans are made from denim. Denim is a much thicker and heavier fabric than the lightweight fabrics used to make skinny jeans, so skinny jeans will be a lot heavier than jeggings.

The fabric used to make jeggings is also softer than denim. While jeggings will feel soft to the tough, denim will feel a bit rougher. But it won’t feel so rough that the jeans are uncomfortable to wear.

Being made from a knit fabric also means that jeggings will have more stretch than skinny jeans. The fabric used for skinny jeans also tends to have a little spandex or elastic fibers blended in, and they are also stretchy at the waist.

Because denim is a more durable fabric, skinny jeans will last longer than jeggings and are more functional. They don’t have an elastic waist but have buttons, snaps, or zippers as a closure. Skinny jeans also have pockets while jeggings don’t.

What is the Difference Between Leggings and Yoga Pants?

A lot of people use the terms leggings and yoga pants interchangeably. What is actually yoga pants are even marketed as leggings by some manufacturers. But did you know that they aren’t the same thing? The main differences between the two lie in their purpose and their style and fit.

The biggest difference between leggings and yoga pants is that yoga pants are meant to be worn primarily during athletic or fitness activities. In contrast, leggings are not meant to be worn for athletics. However, people are starting to wear leggings and yoga pants for comfort instead of their intended purpose.

The second difference is that leggings are always designed to be skin-tight down to the ankles. Yoga pants come in more fits and styles. Some of them are skin-tight, but there are other yoga pants that have a wider leg at the bottom. Other versions of yoga pants include sweatpants and capris.

The final difference is the material they are made of. Yoga pants are usually made of cotton or a sweat-wicking material with spandex blended in. Leggings can be made from cotton, polyester, wool, leather, and nylon. Sometimes leggings can be lined with other fabrics such as fleece, but yoga pants aren’t usually lined.

Popular Products

High-Waisted Leggings 4-Pack

CAMPSNAIL 4 Pack High Waisted Leggings for Women - Soft Tummy Control Slimming Yoga Pants for Workout Running Reg & Plus SizeWhen you buy this product, you get 4 pairs of high-waisted leggings at an affordable price.

You can choose from 11 different color combinations. For example, one pack has four pairs of solid black leggings, another pack has neutral colors, and some packs even have bright colors and prints.

There are also three different size options to choose from. The leggings are made from a blend of polyester and spandex, so they will be durable and stretchy. They are also machine-washable, so caring for them is super easy and low-maintenance.

Pull-On Jegging

Amazon Essentials Women's Stretch Pull-On Jegging (Available in Plus Size), Medium Blue, 2These pull-on jeggings are comfortable, stylish, and look as if they are real jeans. They have functional back pockets and come in 10 different colors and washes. That includes the standard denim washes, neutral colors such as black and white, and even fun colors such as pink and olive green.

They can also be purchased in standard jeans sizes, ranging from size 0 to 20. And, they can be purchased in short and long lengths as well as the standard length.

These jeggings are made from a blend of cotton, polyester, and elastane and are machine-washable.

Conclusion

I hope this guide was helpful for differentiating between leggings and jeggings. They don’t differ very much in terms of fit, general comfort, and versatility, The biggest difference between the two lies in their appearance. Jeggings look like jeans and leggings don’t. If you enjoyed this article, share it with others and leave a comment. Thanks for reading!