13 Best Fashion Designer-Approved Cotton Leggings To Try In 2024

Nothing can compete with the best cotton leggings if you want both fashion and comfort in your everyday style. Cotton leggings are known for being the go-to casual basic because you can wear them all day long without having to worry about getting sweaty or uncomfortable. Most of us prefer cotton as a fabric because it is breathable, affordable, and easy to care for. Jonathan Bräuner Delfs, a fashion designer, says, “Cotton leggings are perfect for everyday wear because they are made from natural fibers that allow your skin to breathe. They are also lightweight and stretchy, making them extremely comfortable to wear.” Leggings have been a wardrobe staple for generations now. However, leggings are not made with 100% pure cotton, but they are made with a minimum 50% cotton blend.

If you want to enjoy the feel of the best cotton leggings that our fashion editors recommend, this post is for you. So, keep reading to check out the 13 bestselling cotton leggings that will be perfect for your everyday activities.

13 Best Cotton Leggings That Are Comfortable And Timeless

1. Best Breathable Fabric:Leggings Depot Ultra Soft Solid Leggings

4.1

Image: Leggings Depot

BUY ON AMAZON | $14.99

When they say ultra-soft, they sure do mean it. Made in the USA with a breathable blend of premium cotton and spandex, these Leggings Depot bottoms will cushion your tush with the most luxurious comfort. Available in a range of bold shades and pretty pastels, the leggings have an ankle-length style and a nifty cotton waistband that snugly tucks in your muffin top and gives you a smooth, streamlined silhouette. Additionally, the fabric has a 4-way stretch that provides much-needed flexibility during all moderate-impact activities. From impromptu lounge yoga sessions to when you need a casual OOTD for finishing up chores, these lush cotton leggings will keep you relaxed all day long. According to reviews, these black leggings are extremely comfortable and soft to wear anywhere, anytime. They are available in a wide range of colors, so you can choose one according to your preference.

Fun Fact

Leggings were first used by men in the 14th century in Scotland. It remained a menswear trend till the 19th Century.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The overwhelming 5,745 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.

2. Best With Pockets:No nonsense Women’s Cotton Lounge Legging

3.9

Image: No Nonsense

BUY ON AMAZON | $17.18

The No nonsense Women’s Cotton Lounge Legging is for fashion-forward women. The legging is made of a blend of 57% cotton, 38% polyester, and 5% spandex which makes it highly stretchable. These black leggings adjust to your lower body shape, providing you with the best comfort. The wide elastic waistband reaches your navel without rolling down. This legging is soft and allows you to move and sit as you like without feeling constricted. The legging is designed with two side pockets for easy phone access. This slim-fit legging with pockets looks amazing with long tops, shirts, or knit sweaters, making it one of the best everyday essentials out there.

Pro Tip

Pair your solid color leggings with a colorful design dress or vice-versa.

3. Best Sustainable: Adidas Originals Women’s Tights

4.3

Image: Adidas

BUY ON AMAZON | $23.82

Showcasing a serendipitous encounter of sporty aesthetics with 90s street chic, this Adidas Originals Women’s Tight is popular for its effortless and buttery-soft glam. The legging is made with a blend of 93% cotton and 7% elastane, which makes it breathable and reassuringly durable. The tight fit of the legging hugs your curves like a second skin and provides a flattering silhouette, making you look fashion-forward around the clock. Perfect for casual wear on a weekend or during regular exercise, these everyday legging also has a high-rise elastic waistband that offers optimum support and comfort throughout the day.

4. Best For Workout:Spalding Women’s Essential Capri Legging

4.2

Image: Spalding

BUY ON AMAZON | $13.53

The Spalding Women’s Essential Capri Legging provides the best support and comes at an affordable price. Its wide comfortable waistband doubles as a body shaper. This legging is the one for you if you lead a very active lifestyle and opt for clothing that provides you comfort and flexibility. It is made with a blend of 98% cotton and 8% spandex that offers maximum stretchability and softness. With an 18-inch inseam, it provides a comfortable fit and allows you to carry out your workout without any hassle. This workout legging never slides down and is machine-washable. According to the reviewers, the pants are super comfy and fit really well.

Quick Tip

Choose leggings that fit snugly. Leggings that are too tight will show the dimples on your thighs and legs.

5. Best Tummy Control: ToBeInStyle Women’s Leggings

4.1

Image: Tobeinstyle

BUY ON AMAZON | $15.95

Snug, stylish, and super-soft, the ToBeInStyle Women’s Legging is made of a breathable blend of 92% soft cotton and 8% spandex fabric that feels great on your skin. The high-rise waistband helps smoothen your silhouette and provides optimum abdominal support without restricting your movements. Available in a variety of colors, these snazzy yet versatile pairs of full-length leggings are a must-have in your wardrobe. Pair a stylish tunic top or your favorite oversized sweatshirt with this legging to nail the perfect look. While reading all of what people experience, it appears that the cotton-based and breathable fabric is one of the most prominent features of these leggings.

6. Best Lightweight Material:Stretch Is Comfort Plus Size Leggings

4.2

BUY ON AMAZON | $19.99

Accommodating plus sizes up to 7XL, these thick leggings are supremely stretchy and scrumptiously soft. The solid color pants are made with high-grade stretchy cotton and spandex for unparalleled breathability and cooling, while their line of printed leggings comes in polyester. The sewn-in waistband provides a snug elastic closure that makes them easy to pull on and get out of, so you can bid adieu to awkward, one-legged hopping. Available in a whopping 40 colors and prints, we especially recommend the hot pink and metallic gold for those who’d love a pop of quirkiness in their closet. Customers who have tested the leggings affirm that the fabric is super soft and comfortable and they are perfect for all-day wear.

7. Best Stretchable:Tommy Hilfiger Performance Workout Pants-High-Waisted Leggings

4.5

Image: Tommy Hilfiger

BUY ON AMAZON | $59.5

It doesn’t get more versatile than these slim-fit cotton-spandex leggings from Tommy Hilfiger Performance Workout Pants. The leggings offer an athletic feeling in a slim-fitting style that is flattering on various body types. The high-waisted design draws attention to the outfit, making it look sporty and stylish. It works well for running errands, gym, and home workouts. These athletic wear leggings are constructed with a flexible knit and are skilled at flattering the figure with a tummy-tucking waistband. You can easily style the leggings with T-shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts, and hoodies and call it a day. This can be ideal as maternity wear that offers the perfect postpartum support for your tummy.

8. Best True To Size:Conceited Premium Soft Cotton Leggings

4.2

Image: Conceited

BUY ON AMAZON | $21.95

These comfortable leggings from Conceited are so soft, you’ll never want to take them off. A luxurious blend of cotton and spandex is combined with a jersey knit fabric with 4-way stretch to keep up with the sweatiest of Yoga classes. Ideal for the multitasking, always-on-the-go women, these cotton tights also have a durable thickness that ensures complete opacity so that you can squat away without any flashing-related accidents. The high-waisted pair also comes with a 3-inch tummy control panel for abdominal support and effortless slimming. Available in a range of different lengths from slip shorts and knee shorts to capri and full length, these are the best cotton tights for lounging as well as activewear.

9. Best Thick Fabric:Hanes Women’s Capri Leggings

4.2

Image: Hanes

BUY ON AMAZON | $12.42

From workouts to weekends, the Hanes Women’s Capri Legging provides just what you need for optimum comfort. Super stretchable and breathable, the cotton-spandex fabric of this legging is non-see-through, giving you confidence on the go. It has a high waist that lifts your booty and gives all-day support and a wide elastic waistband that ensures the leggings stay in place. It has a form-fitting silhouette that accentuates your lower body curves and its 22-inches inseam design makes it fit for daily wear. Pair this workout legging with your favorite tees, crop tops, and sports bras for a stylish look.

10. Best Form-Fitting: Yummie Women’s Rachel Shapewear Leggings

4.2

Image: Yummie

BUY ON AMAZON | $34.45

The Yummie Women’s Rachel Shapewear Legging offers perfect compression to smooth your waist and shape your legs. It is made of 88% cotton and 12% spandex. Uber-comfortable and easy to wear, this legging slims the area from your tummy through your hips and legs flawlessly and provides you comfort and confidence. Undoubtedly, the Yummie women’s shapewear legging is a must in your wardrobe if you believe in simple yet sassy clothing. It has a pull-on closure design and is machine-washable.

11. Best Abdominal Support:Champion Women’s Authentic Tights Capri Leggings

4.4

Image: Champion

BUY ON AMAZON | $30

When it comes to intimates, the comfortable and highly functional, Champion Women’s Authentic Tights are your next favorite thing in your wardrobe. The leggings provide flexibility and comfort while letting you enjoy your leisure time. The spandex-rich fabric helps in sweat management during your workout sessions. The thick and high-rise waistband and strategic anatomical stitching help achieve a flattering figure effortlessly. These full-length yoga pants are made of 90% cotton and 10% spandex to ensure no irritation to the skin even after you wear them all day long. Moreover, , these all-season leggings come in different colors to suit all your moods!

12. Best Comfortable:ToBeInStyle Women’s Skinny Full Length Leggings

3.9

Image: Tobeinstyle

BUY ON AMAZON | $13.95

The ToBeInStyle Women’s Skinny Full-Length Legging is very soft and comfortable. The 95% of cotton in the fabric ensures that your legs remain dry, comfortable, and relaxed throughout the day. The spandex in the legging hugs your legs at the right places and accentuates their shape. It has a slim-fit design with a 28.5-inches inseam that looks classic. Pair this mid-rise pair of leggings with your favorite tee or a stylish tunic top to achieve the best look. You may also wear this super-flexible, summer-worthy pair of leggings during casual workouts. Customers have tested and approved that the leggings’s high waistband is comfortable and breathable and is not restrictive.

13. Best Seamless Design:Lyssé Flattering Cotton FUTURO FASHION® Full Length Cotton Leggings

3.9

Image: Futuro Fashion

BUY ON AMAZON

Futuro Fashion® Full Length Cotton Leggings are activewear trouser pants made of wrinkle-resistant and comfortable cotton fabric. The touch of elastane makes it fabulous. The leggings are figure-hugging yet stretchable and transition from day to night effortlessly. You can easily pair it with T-shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts, and hoodies to make a fashionable statement.

And that’s a wrap on our list of the 13 best cotton leggings that are so comfortable, you’ll want to live in them forever. Before you take your pick, take a peek at our handy buying guide that will ensure you find the right match for your needs.

How To Choose The Best Cotton Leggings

• Stretch

We hate to break it to you but cotton isn’t exactly the stretchiest of fabrics out there. In fact, it offers little to no flexibility on its own. So, when studying the fabric blend of your leggings, 100% cotton isn’t a total win because it’s going to feel a tad constricting on the bottom. To ensure the best possible fit, go for a cotton blend with a fabric like lycra, spandex, or elastane. Just a humble percentage of 5 to 10 is sufficient to give your cotton leggings a boost of breathable flexibility.

• Waistband

Some might argue this is the most important factor of them all. You don’t have to be packing extra weight around the waist to be on the hunt for tummy control panels. The best of physiques suffer from off days and would appreciate how forgiving a shaping waistband can be. Providing comfortable compression and snug support to your abdominals, a tummy control wide waistband can sneakily subtract a few inches from your silhouette without subjecting you to unbearable irritation or discomfort. You may also pick leggings with a fold-over waistband design to create a style statement.

• Opacity

Are your cotton leggings thick enough to keep your undies from peeking when subjected to stretch? Generally speaking, they should be. However, if the blend is combined with a higher percentage of other materials, it bears the risk of turning transparent when you bend or squat. The best way to avoid such mishaps is to ensure that the percentage of cotton is significantly higher than the other materials. Alternatively, you can opt for cotton fleece-lined leggings to side-step the risk of flashing altogether.

• Breathability

After opacity, this is the most important factor that makes or breaks your cotton leggings experience. The good news is that organic cotton has always been a supremely breathable fabric. It allows for optimum airflow, which prevents excessive sweating and the formation of unseemly sweat patches. That being said, there’s always room for more breathability in the form of different styles such as adorable patterns, capri lengths, and mesh detailing.

•  Flat-locked seams

There’s nothing more irksome than a seam that doesn’t sit flat. Not only will it destroy the streamlined silhouette of your cotton leggings, but it will also pinch and irritate the skin, making every move uncomfortable. To avoid this, turn your cotton leggings inside-out prior to purchase and examine the inseam to ensure that it lies flat.

• Crotch Gusset

A crotch gusset is that intriguing diamond-shaped piece of fabric that is stitched into the crotch region of your cotton leggings. It produces a more comfortable and irritation-free fit by keeping the leggings from riding up cameltoe-style and offers extra support to the posterior. Some brands consciously choose not to include a crotch gusset in their leggings as their goal is to provide a stretchier fit. However, if you don’t share these priorities and would prefer a wedgie-less experience, always check the insides for a gusset.

What To Wear With Cotton Leggings

• Classic tees and denim jackets

Catch any A-list fashionistas at the airport and you’ll see it — a contrasting tee (with or without cool graphics) held in place by a denim jacket tied around the waist. No matter which year it is, this combination will never stop looking cool. Bonus points for being completely effortless and so, so comfy.

• Tanks and shrugs

A less obvious but equally timeless outfit is the simple, slightly flowy tank top topped off with a sheer or opaque shrug or duster. This is another eye-catching airport look that feels more put together, especially if you wear it with chunky sneakers or, if you’re braver than us, a pair of platform heels.

• Snug sweatshirts

If you want to keep it casual the old-school way, you can style your leggings with lightweight sweatshirts in pastel hues or block prints. To complete the look, throw on those aviators and some high-top sneakers and you’re good to go basically anywhere. You won’t even have to wait for winter to end before trying this on — just pick the thickest sweatshirts and leggings you can get your hands on and head out the door!

• Oversized tees

In the ballpark of effortless chic lies the legging-and-oversized-tee combo, except you can make this look slightly more badass by choosing a concert t-shirt to go with a mean pair of sneakers. If you can get your hands on form-hugging and ultra-stretchy leggings that give off a hint of sheen, nothing can stop you from conquering the world.

• Cute, flowy tops

Keep it loose and comfy in the summers by wearing a long, flowy top in bright colors and breathable fabrics. This is the perfect outfit for occasions like brunches, picnics, or even daytime dates. For extra oomph, throw on a pretty scarf and some shades to get as far away from frumpy as possible.

Infographic: How To Take Care Of Cotton Leggings For Long-Term Use

Be it for everyday wear, running, or gyming, leggings are the ultimate pick. However, these stretchy pants require extra care while you wash and store them. Overwashing, tumble drying, and harsh detergents may damage the fabric and not keep it in the best condition. Check out the infographic below for quick tips to make your leggings last longer.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cotton leggings see-through?

Cotton leggings usually aren’t see-through if they’re made with good-quality cotton and have a higher percentage of the fabric than other materials.

Do cotton leggings stretch?

Cotton by itself doesn’t offer too much stretch. However, most cotton leggings are made with a blend of fabrics like elastane, polyester, lycra, or spandex that add some flexibility. How you wash and care for your cotton leggings can also determine the stretch. Repeated use over time usually stretches out most leggings, while hot or warm water can counteract this by causing the cotton to shrink.

Are cotton leggings good?

It depends on the intended activity. If you’re looking for loungewear to laze around in, cotton leggings are the best candidate. Since the fabric is supremely soft and breathable, they are comfortable to wear for hours on end.

Are cotton leggings good for working out?

While there’s no harm in wearing cotton leggings for low-impact workouts, they aren’t the best choice for more rigorous movements. This is because they aren’t as super-stretchy, durable, or moisture-wicking as synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon that are explicitly designed for athletic performance.

How do you know if the cotton leggings are too small?

One way to determine whether your leggings are a size too small is by checking the skin around the waistband. If it has wrinkled after wear or looks uncomfortably red or pinched, it means your cotton leggings are most likely too tight.

Which is more breathable cotton or viscose?

Both viscose and cotton rank high when it comes to breathability. However, cotton is lighter and smoother, which gives it a slight edge over viscose.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Priyam Gupta has a deep interest in fashion and loves writing about different products. She carefully selected these cotton leggings based on user reviews and feedback on multiple forums and brand websites. You can wear these cotton leggings all day long without feeling sweaty or uncomfortable.

Was this article helpful?

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Jonathan Bräuner DelfsFashion Designer

 

Jonathan Bräuner Delfs is the CEO of a fashion company with 8 years of experience in retail fashion and clothing online. He has a deep interest in clothing and a keen eye for detail. His clothing line is known for its contemporary and stylish designs.

Read full bio of Jonathan Bräuner Delfs

Priyam GuptaBeauty & Lifestyle Expert

 

The day Priyam learned that having strong opinions about everyday products can be a full-fledged writing career was the greatest day of her life. Partially driven by a passion for everything timeless, she likes to explore and recommend styles and makeup products that will endure the test of trends.

Read full bio of Priyam Gupta

Srijita DeCommerce Writer

Srijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world.

Read full bio of Srijita De

Shatabdi BhattacharyaAssociate Editor

Shatabdi is an associate editor and an alumnus of Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the world of literature and expression. She has worked with various organizations and websites operating in different industries, ranging from education to lifestyle, showing her adaptability and drive to learn.

Read full bio of Shatabdi Bhattacharya