My workout is the most crucial part of my early 5-9 morning routine. Years ago, I started incorporating a workout into my mornings, and I’ve never looked back. It’s the only time of day that I get alone time all day, and it’s when I get all my good ideas. And my morning sweat sessions are brought to you by comfortable, quality leggings. Here’s my recommended favorite, along with the CLJ team and their favorites!
Lululemon Align
I’ve tried many a pair of leggings, and a couple of years ago, I did a whole blog post where I ranked my leggings from favorite to least. Shockingly, I put my Lululemon leggings in 4th place at the time, and I’ve come to realize that I didn’t have my sizing right because now I don’t know what I would do without them. The leggings I’m wearing in the photo and the leggings I reach for every day are the Lululemon Align in a size 4, 28″ inseam.
Their cloud-like softness is my second skin, but they’re supportive enough to make me feel invincible. They don’t move or dig into my waist, and the high waist allows me to wear a slightly cropped tank if I want. I love that I’m never having to think about them or adjust them while I’m at the gym, so I can just focus on my workout. I have some color options, but if I’m being honest, I tend to reach for black or gray because they feel the most flattering to me. Oh, and I’m a “no-pockets” girl because I never use them and I don’t like the extra bulk.
One of my favorite things about the women I work with is that I trust their taste in quality and style so much. We’re constantly giving each other recommendations for what we try and love, and so I wanted to include their favorite leggings and reviews. You couldn’t go wrong with any of these.
I live in my Old Navy leggings. They come with me on all of my errands, keep me comfy on long weekends in my studio, and often double as pajamas when I inevitably fall asleep in them while watching “The Bachelor” on the couch. They have the support of shapewear and the comfort of loungewear. Oh, and I have seven pairs 🙂
-Victoria, Sponsorship Manager
Lately, I’ve been minimizing and simplifying my wardrobe, which led me to donate all of my leggings except three of my absolute favorites. One is a Fabletics pair I’ve had forever that I’m keeping for housework and yardwork. The second is the luxury Lululemon Align (with pockets) for working out. And the third is this super high-waisted flare legging I want to wear every single day. They’re smooth like butter, sit 2″ above my belly button, and my favorite part is that there’s a comfortable elastic band at the top, so they’re so comfy across my tummy and never ever slip down. Oh, and flare leggings are back, in case you didn’t know. I’m 5’7,” and I find these to be long enough without touching the ground.
-Missy, Editorial Manager
I passed the halfway mark of pregnancy a few weeks ago, and these are by far my favorite maternity leggings! They feel so much like my Lululemon Aligns (which, honestly, I still love for pregnancy) but are higher-waisted to support my back and my growing belly. They hug all the right places while still feeling breathable. The fit is very true to size—I’m wearing a size small.
-Brooke, Affiliate Marketing Manager
I’ve never invested in leggings because I’ve never really invested in my physical health. I’ve been on a little health journey the past couple of months, and slipping these on makes me feel like I can crush my spinning class and walk a half mile more around my neighborhood. Plus! The hi-rise keeps my trouble spots tucked and tight.
-Andi, Visual Media Head
One thing about me, I don’t like to work out in leggings! I much prefer wearing bike shorts, and the Lululemon Align in the 6″ is my forever go-to. They’re high-waisted and super lightweight, and the leg holes don’t squeeze into my thighs. Most of my workouts contain weight training, and the Aligns have held up so well.
-Becca, Good Influence(r) Manager
Shop The Best Leggings
1. Align™ High-Rise Pant 28″ $98
2. High-Waisted PowerSoft Leggings $29
3. Groove Super-High-Rise Flared Pant $118
4. Maternity Leggings $26
5. Ultra High Rise Elation Tight $89
6. Align™ High-Rise Short 6″ $64
Shop Workout Leggings
What do you think?
Semihandmade
Our wood grain Shaker cabinet fronts were designed for busy, high-traffic homes like ours. Clad with durable textured thermofoils, this line is compatible with Sektion, Akurum, Godmorgon, and Besta cabinets from IKEA. It's the perfect, practical way to add the warmth of wood to all the rooms of your home.
Collaborations
learn more
next
Loloi
We have teamed up with Loloi to create a line of rugs that are as affordable as they are beautiful. This collection houses a great mix of traditional and modern rugs, in cottage-y colorways, as well as vintage-inspired beauties that you’ll want to roll out in every room.
Collaborations
learn more
next
STUGA
We partnered with Stuga on a line of hardwood floors — The Ingrid is really livable, and the color is very neutral. It doesn’t lean warm or cool, it’s that just right in-between. We have really loved putting it everywhere in our house. It’s the best jumping-off point for design, no matter your interior style. In addition to being beautiful, Ingrid is really durable — we have three kids, and we always have a home construction project going on. Ingrid stands up to it all.
Collaborations
learn more
next
SHop all
What We're Right Now
What We're Right Now
Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop.
Loving
Portfolio
Design
Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
BROWSE BY CATEGORY
let's break this thing up
We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
Projects
Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
read more
read more
02
01
03
looking for inspiration?
We recently painted our study a dark, moody green color. This is after we first painted it a muddy green, then repainted it a blue-gray. I guess what they say is true; third time’s a charm! The journey was worth it, though, because I’m so in love with this glossy green in contrast with the […]
SEARCH THE BLOG
We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?
looking for something?
find stuff like:
Can We Send You Our Love Letter?
Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
@chrislovesjulia
Links
Get Around
Make yourself right at home
Portfolio
Design
Casual Friday
Projects
Lifestyle
Gift Guides
All Posts
Shop
Thank you so much for the list! I have the Elation tight in my cart now! I have had the hardest time finding a great pair of everyday leggings that last. The best I have found personally were from a brand I discovered at a yoga class in LA called YELLA Activewear. They are some of the best quality I’ve found, but the price reflects it. I guess you get what you pay for… Thanks again for the list!
Great round up! Mine are the Buffbunny Legacy legging. I love the super soft stretchy fabric and I especially love how they don’t have a front seam.
I love the ON Powersoft leggings too. The material is a little bit shiny, so my pet hair doesn’t cling to it like with my more cotton leggings. The high (and extra high) waist is great to cover up the middle area too.