These inexpensive leggings are way better than my Lululemons
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.Confession: I hate pants. I hate them so much that not only do I own just one pair of jeans, but so far this winter I have only worn pants one time. One time.
So what do I wear instead?
Leggings, obviously. I am not even embarrassed to admit that if you open my dresser drawer, you'll find over 40 pairs (yes, 40) of black leggings, rolled up in neat rows. High-waisted, compression, ripped, cut-out, croppedyou name it, I have it.
And while I have more leggings than one woman should own, there's one pair that I wear over and over and overand no, it's not my most expensive Lululemons or my trendy leather ones. It's this $15 pair from Aerie, which has nearly 1,000 five-star reviews online.
Why I love Aerie Chill leggings
My favorite thing about these leggings is the waistband.
Anyone who's ever worn leggings knows that not all leggings are created equal. So what sets Aerie Chill leggings apart from all the others in my dresser? First and foremost, they're hands-down the most comfortable leggings I own (and as a lifelong pants-hater, this is saying a lot). The leggings themselves are made of a super soft cotton material while the high waistband is extra wide so it doesn't cut into your stomach or fall down and is very flattering.
I also love how thick Aerie Chill leggings are because I am a firm believer that leggings canand shouldbe worn as pants. These are opaque enough that I can wear them on their own (no embarrassing see-through incidents here!) yet lightweight and breathable enough that they aren't suffocating.
Plus, while Aerie Chill leggings come in a variety of colors and styles, my all-time favorite one is the ripped pair. They have that super trendy look of distressed jeans without, you know, actually being jeans so they're 100 times more comfortable. They're comfy-cute style at its finest, as evidenced by all of the compliments I get whenever I wear them.
How do Aerie leggings compare to Lululemon?
Aerie leggings (left) vs. Lululemon leggings (right).
As a yoga teacher, I have a love affair with my Lululemon leggings (Aligns all the way!). But if I'm being really honest, I like my Aerie leggings way better for everyday wear. Not only are they less than half the price of Lululemons but my Aerie leggings are also thicker and more "polished." A.k.a. while Lululemonsin my opinioncan't be dressed up, these Aerie leggings can be worn for working out or for non-athletic activities (like under a dress or with a nicer top for date night or brunch with my friends).
Should you buy Aerie Chill leggings?
Proof that I literally wear these all the time...
If you couldn't tell by the above love letter to the favorite thing in my closet, yes, these Aerie leggings are definitely worth the money. And by "money," I mean the $15 (!!) that they cost. They're incredibly versatilebecause you can dress them up or downand comfortable. More importantly, they're also high-quality, so they'll last you for plenty of wears and washes (take it from someone who wears them a minimum of twice a week).
One caveat: These leggings, while I wear them for lower-intensity exercise like barre and pilates, won't provide the type of support that compression leggings do. So if you're running or doing some other type of intense physical activity, they aren't the best option for you. That being said though, they do make for a mean pair of yoga leggings (yoga teacher tested and approved!). And who doesn't need another pair of black leggings?!
Get Aerie Chill High Waisted Leggings from American Eagle for $14.96
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.