Women's leggings: which pair for the gym, everyday wear or a night out

In Morocco, women's leggings do everything: the gym at 7 a.m., the market, the tram, coffee with friends, sometimes even Saturday dinner, worn under a long jumper. That's exactly why people get them wrong so often: one pair can't do it all. The pair that survives a squat isn't the one that breathes in August in Marrakech, and the pair you wear to go out calls for different criteria.

Women's sports leggings: support, high waist, squat-proof

For the gym, yoga or a morning run along the Corniche, three things matter. Support first: sports leggings should hold you in without squeezing, and stay put when you jump or run. Then a high waist: a wide waistband that rises above the navel won't roll during crunches or slip down with every lunge.

Last, they need to be squat-proof. That's the test nobody does, and everybody wishes they had once they're at the gym. Fabric that's too thin turns see-through as soon as it stretches. Stand with your back to a well-lit mirror in daylight, drop into a deep squat and look over your shoulder. If you can see the colour of your underwear, those leggings stay home.

Among our sports leggings, OYSHO's high-waisted leggings with reinforced support, in brown at 662 MAD, are cut for exactly this use, in sizes 2XS to 3XL.

Cropped or capri leggings for summer

From June to September, full-length leggings quickly become an ordeal, especially inland where temperatures climb above 40°C. Cropped leggings, which stop above the ankle, and capris, which stop mid-calf, let your legs breathe without losing any of the comfort of leggings.

Capris are the most practical for a morning walk or a gym without air conditioning. Cropped leggings also work in town, with white trainers and a loose T-shirt. The high waist cropped leggings with asymmetric hem, in black, cost under 200 MAD and look a little dressier than classic capris thanks to the offset hem.

The one catch: a hem that lands right at the widest part of the calf shortens your legs; pick capris that stop a little lower, or cropped leggings just above the ankle, which lengthen the leg.

Dressy leggings for going out

Leggings can go to dinner, as long as they don't look like gym wear. It all comes down to the top. A long jumper that covers the hips, an oversized shirt or a tunic: a look you see everywhere in Morocco. A long jacket or a structured blazer gives a clean line, with ankle boots in winter in Fez or Ifrane.

In the evening, fabric makes the difference: a leather look, a shiny finish or a thick knit takes leggings out of sportswear territory. Missguided's high waist faux leather cropped leggings, at 184 MAD, go with a fitted fine-knit jumper and ankle boots: a complete going-out outfit, no effort required.

The rule that never fails: fitted top, dressy leggings; plain leggings, long and structured top.

Black, brown, white: colour changes everything

Black remains the safest: it hides sweat and goes from the gym to the restaurant. If you only own one pair, make it black.

Brown is the softer alternative: chocolate or coffee, it pairs with beige, camel and cream. Just be wary of mid tones, which show sweat more than a very dark brown.

White needs the most care, because it's the colour most prone to sheerness, whether you're squatting or out in full sun. Wear skin-tone underwear underneath, never white or coloured. And keep white leggings for town, with a long top that covers the hips.

Finding your size without getting it wrong

Choose leggings by your hip measurement first, then your waist. Measure yourself before ordering: it's the only way to compare brands that size in XS-XL with others in 34-46.

The classic trap: going a size down "for more hold". Overstretched fabric thins out, and that's when it turns see-through. If you're between sizes, go by your hips, not the number that flatters you. Some styles also come in a Tall version for longer legs.

Every product page in our leggings section lists the available sizes, and a size assistant helps you choose. When your order arrives, do the squat test at home: you have 14 days to return an item that doesn't work for you. Delivery is free anywhere in Morocco on orders of 500 MAD or more.