Leggings are stretchy, form-fitting pants that cover your legs from waist to ankle (or sometimes just to the knee or calf). Made from materials like spandex, cotton, or polyester blends, they feel like wearing a comfortable second skin. Unlike jeans or khakis with zippers and pockets, leggings pull on easily and move with your body.

Originally, leggings were worn as warm undergarments beneath other clothing, especially in cold climates. Today, people wear them for all kinds of activities: gymnastics practice, dance class, running errands, or just relaxing at home. Athletes appreciate how leggings allow unrestricted movement during sports. Their flexibility makes them popular for yoga, where you need to bend and stretch freely.

You might also hear people refer to tights, which are similar but usually thinner and sometimes slightly see-through, or yoga pants, which are usually made of thicker material. While leggings were once considered mainly workout or casual wear, many people now wear them as everyday clothing, paired with longer shirts or sweaters.