Leggings: Many consider them a wardrobe hero, to be sure. They’re basic enough to serve as a foundation for some outfits and paired correctly, they’re super chic. And after so many months of sweatpants and other breezy garments to keep us comfortable at home, a pair of leggings, particularly the faux leather kind, is the perfect transitional garment—i.e., the best piece to ease back into more sophisticated dress, and the fall or spring season in general, when it’s neither warm enough for flimsy linen trousers nor bitterly cold, when layers are often required.
“Even though these are super comfortable, they don’t look comfortable,” says fashion expert George Kotsiopoulos. This is a positive thing, as the best faux leather leggings will look polished, tailored "and like you’re trying,” while maintaining a comfort level that’s close to what many became used to after the work-from-home trend.
To find the best faux leather leggins on the market, we conducted hours of research—evaluating the highest rated options based on their fit, material and size range. After considering dozens of brands, we landed on these picks.
Best Overall
Spanx Faux Leather Leggings
Spanx
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For a pair of leggings that sculpt your figure, look no further than Spanx, the underwear maker that revolutionized shapewear and leggings, and has helped women enhance their natural shapes, from the early 2000s. Its classic faux leather leggings have a wide waistband to contour the midsection, and their lining contains a high amount of elastane (20 percent, to be exact) that both lifts the butt and allows for more mobility. We also love that this style is available in petite and tall sizes (as well as up to 3X) to accommodate many wearers.
- Price at time of publish: $98
- Material: Body: 87% nylon, 13% elastane, with polyurethane coating; Lining: 80% polyester, 20% elastane
- Colors: Black
- Size Range:XS-3X (in regular, petite, and tall)
- Care:
Machine wash cold, gentle cycle; Lay flat to dry
Best High-Shine
Commando Control Top Faux Patent Leather Leggings
Amazon
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Generally speaking, high-shine faux leather leggings are a bold choice, but Kotsiopoulos is all for it. “If you wanted to take a risk and be a little bit more adventurous with your clothing, this would be the way to do that. Wear it with a great blazer and oversized sweater.” This pair by Commando is ideal because it offers an interior panel that smooths the midsection (if youre looking for that).
- Price at time of publish: $118
- Material:Leg: 62% polyurethane, 36% viscose, 2% elastane; Waist: 78% nylon, 22% elastane
- Colors: Black, Sienna, Cinnamon, White, Navy, Cocoa
- Size Range: XS-XL petite, S-XL, 1-3X plus
- Care: Hand wash cold; Dry in shade
Best Tall
Abercrombie & Fitch Classic Vegan Leather Leggings
Abercrombie & Fitch
You wont have to worry about these faux leather leggings looking cropped because Abercrombie offers them in a tall length. Theyre ultra-high rise to flatter the waist, and have a partially elasticated waistband and a side zipper for functionality. Plus, the leggings feature on-trend seam details to easily dress the pair up or down.
- Price at time of publish: $48
- Material: 100% polyurethane/faux leather, 90% polyester, 10% elastane
- Colors: Black and brown
- Size Range: XXS-XL (in regular, petite, and tall)
- Care: Machine wash cold; Lay flat to dry
Most Versatile
Zara Button-Up Faux Leather Leggings
Zara
Zara’s faux leather leggings are exactly what you’ll want to wear in the cold weather seasons. They’re sleek, inexpensive, and versatile, given that they come in two neutral colors. Perhaps most importantly, they have features that fit different types of bodies; they have several seams, which elongate the legs, and slits to expose the Achilles—a modern touch that allows you to show off pumps or sneakers with details around the heels.
- Price at time of publish: $10
- Material:100% polyester with 100% polyurethane coating
- Colors: Black, Sand
- Size Range: XS-XXL
- Care: Machine wash gentle cycle; Hang dry
Runner-Up, Most Versatile
Athleta Delancey Gleam Tight
Athleta
If youre looking for a pair of faux leather leggings that you can wear to the grocery store and to the office, this pick from Athleta has got you covered. Many reviewers noted that this pair was easy to dress up and dress down, and that they look flattering always. We love that theyre made with Athletas patented Sculptek fabric, which is super breathable and stretchy for a comfortable fit.
- Price at time of publish: $98
- Material: Nylon, spandex
- Colors: Black
- Size Range: XXS-3X regular, XS-XL tall, XXS-L petite
- Care: Machine wash and dry
Best Moto
Plush Fleece-Lined Liquid Moto Leggings
Amazon
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For a great moto-style legging in faux leather, see this pair by Plush. Reviewers note that this pair is most comfortable and warm, thanks to the fleece lining, and runs very true to size. Dress them up with a stiletto heel for a night out, or partner them with a chunky knit and slip-on sneakers for a casual-but-put-together weekend look.
- Price at time of publish: $93
- Material: Shell: 100% acrylic; 90% polyester, 10% spandex lining
- Colors: Black
- Size Range:XS-L
- Care: Dry clean only
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Best Plus-Size
Eloquii Faux Leather Leggings
Eloquii
Eloquii designed these faux leather leggings to be comfortable and sleek with an elastic waistband, skinny leg silhouette, and stretchy polyester-spandex fabric. Reviewers rave, saying they fit true to size and are surprisingly warm. You really can wear these with anything: try them with loafers and a crisp oversized button-down or with a sweatshirt and sneakers for optimal comfort.
- Price at time of publish: $40
- Material: 70% polyester, 30% spandex with polyurethane coating
- Colors: Black, Melted Chocolate
- Size Range: 14-28
- Care: Hand wash cold with like colors; Lay flat to dry
Best for Work
Yummie Faux Leather Shaping Legging
yummie
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Faux leather leggings are not for every professional, but there are a few kinds that can pass in certain ones. Cropped, flared, and pairs with tailored seams, like this pair by Yummie, are the most suitable options. In picking a pair of faux leather leggings for any purpose, Kotsiopoulos advises shoppers to choose ones with well-placed, mainly vertical seaming to create the appearance of longer legs. A waistband, like one featured in this pair, can contribute to the appearance of a more tailored look as well since it adds definition.
- Price at time of publish: $98
- Material: Body: 95% polyester, 5% spandex; Waistband lining: 86% polyester, 14% spandex
- Colors: Black
- Size Range: XS-1X
- Care: Machine wash cold gentle cycle with like colors; Line dry
Best Maternity
Spanx Mama Faux Leather Leggings
spanx
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Like any great pair of maternity leggings, this faux leather pair will support you from the bump down. They’re designed with a waistband that extends over the belly, like conventional maternity wear, but made with a structured fabric that’s rich in elastane to best support the butt and legs. However, you can wear these postpartum and beyond as well, making them well worth the investment.
- Price at time of publish: $110
- Material: Body: 87% nylon, 13% elastane with polyurethane coating; Tummy: 89% nylon, 11% elastane
- Colors: Black
- Size Range: XS-3X
- Care: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle; Lay flat to dry
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Best Flare
Commando Faux Leather Crop Flare Legging
Bloomingdales
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Commando’s Faux Leather Crop Flare does a nice job of elongating the legs without looking like leggings, reviewers say. Wear them with an oversized knit, breezy button-down, or rich-looking blouse to complete an ensemble for the day, night, or even for work. “[They’re perfect for work] because no one would think you’d be wearing leggings,” Kotsiopoulos says.
- Price at time of publish: $128
- Material:Leg: 55% polyurethane, 44% viscose, 1% elastane; Waistband: 72% nylon, 28% elastane
- Colors: Black, Cocoa
- Size Range: XS-XL
- Care: Machine wash cold; Drip dry
Best Splurge
Wolford Edie Vegan Leather Leggings
Net a Porter
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This pair of faux leather leggings by Wolford is, admittedly, a bit of a splurge. But if you’re looking to invest in leggings with a near-universally fitting silhouette from a reputable brand, Wolfords Edie Vegan Leather Leggings could be for you. They boast a buttery, supple faux leather material and strategic construction. A wide waistband and seamed side panels provide shaping, while the unfinished hems invite wearers to tailor the length with ease, should it be necessary. They’re also loose at the ankle, which is a good feature Kotsiopoulos says, because it “creates the illusion of pants” over loungewear.
- Price at time of publish: $425
- Material: 54% polyurethane, 42% polyester, 4% elastane
- Colors: Black
- Size Range: FR34-FR42
- Care: Machine wash cold extra gentle; Line dry
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Best Fleece-Lined
Voguemax Faux Leather Leggings
Amazon
In cold weather, faux leather leggings aren’t particularly warm—this is because polyurethane, the main material used to make faux leather leggings, is essentially plastic and matches the temperature of its environment. Leggings with fleece linings can serve as good insulation in these cases, and no brand achieves this better than VOGUEMAX, reviewers say. Apart from the cozy lining, they say they love this pair for its stretch, high-rise cut, and tapered leg.
- Price at time of publish: $24
- Material: Shell:100% polyurethane; Lining: 90% polyester, 10% spandex
- Colors: Black, Brown, Wine Red
- Size Range:S-3X
- Care: Dry clean only
Best with Stirrup
Wolford Amina Muaddi Edition Faux-Leather Leggings
Saksfifthavenue
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Leggings with stirrups aren’t easy to come by, but if you’re looking for an ultra-fitted pair that won’t budge, this construction is the only one to fit that bill. That said, this pair of faux leather stirrup leggings from the Wolford x Amina Muaddi collaboration is quite the find—we’d go as far as to say it’s show-stopping. Pair them with high heels and a slightly oversized top for proportion. And if you’re looking for maximum shine, be sure to check out the glossy latex version.
- Price at time of publish: $135
- Material: 59% polyurethane, 41% polyester
- Colors: Black
- Size Range: IT34-IT44
- Care: Machine wash cold extra gentle; Line dry
Best Cropped
Calvin Klein Cropped Faux Leather Leggings
farfetch
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Calvin Klein’s cropped version is tighter than a classic trouser but looser than the average pair of leggings, which makes it very versatile—and one reason that it’s easy to love. Another is that this pair has four panels, two in the front that are faux leather, or polyurethane, and two in the back that are made from a more breathable fabric, polyester. This is ideal, according to Kotsiopoulos, because ones made exclusively from faux leather can get quite hot as the material mostly blocks wind and airflow.
- Price at time of publish: $154
- Material: 51% polyurethane, 49% polyester
- Colors:Black
- Size Range: FR32-56
- Care: Hand wash
Best Petite
Loft Petite Faux Leather Leggings
Loft
The leg shape in these faux leather leggings hug all the right places, and stop at the perfect length around the ankle for a comfortable fit that makes you appear just a tad bit taller. Although theyre meant to be fitted, the leggings have a unique clean performance stretch around the waistband so the pants move with you, and not vice versa.
- Price at time of publish: $60Material: 92% polyester, 8% spandex
- Colors: Black and green
- Size Range: XXS-XXL (in regular and petite)
- Care: Machine wash
Best High-Rise
Old Navy Extra High-Waisted Faux-Leather Zip Ankle Leggings
Old-navy
Extra high-waisted? Sign us up. Old Navys faux leather leggings have an elasticated waist, but have a hidden zipper at the hip so you can feel fastened and secured. There are also zippers at the leg openings (just in case you need more comfort) and a darted back waist to shape the bum.
- Price at time of publish: $30Material: 100% polyester
- Colors: Black
- Size Range: 0-30 regular, 2-18 tall, 0-18 petite
- Care: Spot clean
Best Value
A New Day Faux Leather Leggings
Target
You dont have to choose style over comfort with these leggings from Target. Reviewers noted that they fit perfectly and looked high quality (a feat for only $20), and that they paired well with every outfit—casual or formal. The waistband elastic creates a comfortable fit and gives them lots of stretch.
- Material: 95% polyester, 5% spandex
- Colors: Black, brown
- Size Range: S-XL
Care: Machine wash and dry
What to Look for in Faux Leather Leggings
Material and thickness
Faux leather leggings are generally made from polyurethane, which is a plastic material used to make everything from office items to sports equipment to apparel and accessories. This is possible because it can be adapted to be stiff or flexible, and it makes clothing mostly weatherproof, which is certainly convenient (though, as mentioned above, not very environmentally friendly). All of that said, one who is committed to finding great faux leather leggings should seek ones that look the most authentic, explains Kotsiopoulos. “If you’re not sure if it looks like leather, then it doesn’t.” The former "Fashion Police" co-star also recommends finding a pair made of a thick polyurethane blend “because it would be more substantial and look more expensive.” Plus, the thicker they are, the warmer they are for colder months.
Silhouette
Not every pair of faux leather leggings is created equal. The most flattering pairs will have several vertical seams, be loose at the ankles and contain some elastane for control. These features will create the illusion of longer and leaner legs, if that’s what you’re going for, and make the leggings look richer, like pants, according to Kotsiopoulos.
Color
The most common color of faux leather leggings is black, but should you want to step outside of that, some brands on this list offer options in brown, sand, khaki, burgundy, and light green. “Even real leather tends to look fake in a bright color, so we’re talking about deep burgundy, deep cognac, or deep green. Those are safer categories for faux leather leggings [in color],” Kotsiopoulos says.
FAQ
What do you wear with faux leather leggings?
To maintain good proportions and create dimension with your look, opt for blouses, button-downs, knits, and T-shirts that are tailored or oversized. This will offset the fittedness of the leggings.
How do you wash faux leather leggings?
Most faux leather leggings are machine washable, but it’s important to read the care guide of each pair to learn about what the brand recommends. We added key care insights for each product above to ensure you pick the best legging for your lifestyle.
Do faux leather leggings stretch?
Some, not all, faux leather leggings stretch. If you’re looking for ones with some give, they must have fibers like elastane, otherwise known as Spandex or Lycra, which create stretch.
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