I Found All-Cotton Leggings That Are As Good As Spandex
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I’m really not trying to sound like Julianne Moore inSafe,but studieshave suggestedthat toxic chemicals in nylon and polyester clothing can be absorbed into the skin when it sweats, potentially causing a range of adverse health effects in the long term. This finding seems particularly relevant to athleisure wearers who work out in synthetic sports bras and leggings. These technical garments, increasingly popular since the mid-2000s, are highly effective at wicking sweat and compressing muscles. But they might not be good for human beings or our environment. (Synthetic fabric alsosheds microplasticswhen you’re wearing and laundering it.)
When embarking on aplastic-free swimsuitquest last summer, I found that a growing number of designers have been experimenting with cotton and hemp fabrics. The same thing is happening with workout clothes, so over the past two months I’ve been trying out different cotton legging options from both niche and mainstream brands.
While they were all comfy and stretchy, the truth is that none of the natural-fiber leggings I wore performed as well as their nylon and polyester counterparts. That’s mainly because cotton absorbs rather than wicks sweat, taking much longer to dry while also fitting more loosely. Still, if you’re a more casual athlete or gymgoer who doesn’t mind a sweat patch or two, several of the below options might provide peace of mind about plastic exposure. And a few of my favorites would even be suitable for high-impact exercise.
Mytoppicks
Okayforloungingandlow-impactexercise,butnotmuchelse
Soft but frustratingly loose cotton leggings
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Fabric composition:100 percent Pima cotton, GOTS-certified dyes
The eco-credentials of Peruvian brand Fair Indigo appear impeccable, and its leggings are also ethically made in small batches at a family-owned workshop. Lima is a long way from Lululemon HQ, and these slightly dowdy-looking cotton tights only barely resemble a pair of dolphin-smooth Aligns. While the weave is loose enough to be a little stretchy, the fabric offers basically zero compression — the brand recommends sizing down for a closer fit, which I did, but there’s still a certain bagginess that’s unavoidable.
A thin and rather bunchy elastic waistband (that’s covered by cotton, so your skin isn’t touching it) stays up but doesn’t hold you in. Honestly, I still like these leggings a lot, especially for casually wearing around the house or a YouTube Pilates workout, but wouldn’t wear them for exercise.
Colorful cotton leggings with surprising stretch
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Fabric composition:95 percent cotton, 5 percent elastane
American Apparel, as millennial readers will recall, was famous for its shiny and proudly synthetic nylon leggings. Those days are gone, as is the controversial brand itself, but Los Angeles Apparel and its more cotton-centric offerings have emerged as replacements. The best thing about these 95 percent natural fiber leggings is the fun color options, which include royal blue and bright red but sadly no metallics.
Other than that they’re fairly similar in fit to the Indigo ones above, but sitting slightly higher on the waist with a lot more stretch. The fabric is smoother and offers some compression, but the thin waistband creates some weird bulging and doesn’t feel as secure as a wider one would. Still, they’re a comfortable and affordable option that’s best for low-impact activities.
Hybridsthatworkwellifyou’rewillingtocompromiseyourcottoncontent
Slinky cotton leggings with sneaky polyester
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Fabric composition:56 percent cotton, 37 percent polyester, seven percent elastane
We’ve loved Aerie’saffordable activewearin the past, so I decided to give its Offline leggings a shot — even though they actually do contain nearly 40 percent polyester. I was curious as to whether they might provide a good compromise for people who want to reduce their plastic exposure while still wicking sweat. That’d be my expectation from a pair of leggings that are made from more than 50 percent synthetic fibers. But oddly, I didn’t find these leggings to be stretchier or more moisture-wicking than any of the more cotton-heavy options on this list. They’re smooth and surprisingly slinky; while they have a wide waistband, they lack the side leg seams that typically give athletic leggings more structure. I did not hate wearing these, but they’re not especially well suited to high-impact exercise. Nor are they worth putting up with polyester for.
Structured cotton leggings with slightly less sneaky polyester
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Fabric composition:53 percent cotton, 17 percent recycled polyester, 16 percent spandex, 14 percent Tencel
Still wanting to explore cotton-poly options, I tried on this pair of leggings from Athleta with a lower percentage of synthetic fibers. Unlike the Aeries above, these have side seams on the legs, which give them tighter and more structured fit. They’re more athletic than loungey, and don’t look or feel much like cotton. They’re high-waisted, snap on close to the skin, and fit true-to-size; I’m five-foot-four with an average build and the small petites were perfect.
The fabric remained dry and breathable after a lap of Prospect Park, and I didn’t have to pull them up or tug them down. Excellent leggings that are both well-made and affordable, but sadly the polyester percentage is too high to crown them the winners.
A92percentcottonrunner-up
Affordable and versatile cotton leggings
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Fabric composition:92 percent cotton, 8 percent elastane
Just $32 gets you these polyester-free yet super-stretchy leggings from Calzedonia. They lack a seam down the middle or sides of the legs but are stretchy and compressive enough for working out (the waistband is thick and holds things in decently). I also like them as an affordable nonsynthetic loungewear option. There are sadly just three neutral colors available, happily including a gray marle that’s a fun throwback to the pre-athleisure-revolution ’90s. They run a little small, so size up if in doubt.
Theclearwinner
Actually athletic cotton leggings
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Fabric composition:92 percent organic cotton, eight percent Spandex
The overall look and feel of Mate’s cotton leggings, which arrived in plastic-free packaging, closely resembles a pair of Alo or Lululemon yoga pants. I knew from the first wear that I’d be crowning them as the winners. The fabric composition is essentially the same as Calzedonia’s — 92 percent cotton, 8 percent Spandex (another term for elastane) — but feels thicker. The leggings also have a high, wide waistband that compresses your abs, reinforced seams on the sides to provide more structure, and plenty of stretch. The smooth and tightly woven cotton sculpts your body somewhat; the fabric feels substantial (but still breathable — it’s cotton!) and comes in an array of chic colors.
Though they unfortunately cost three times as much as my runner-up Calzeonias, I think they are worth the cost. I was particularly struck by how well-made they are. There are no loose threads, and the stitching is even. Much more so than other options, they seem explicitly designed for high-intensity workouts. I was able to go running in mine without having to stop and pull them up or adjust the fit, and found them just as comfortable as my nylon leggings for Pilates. Theydidbunch a bit around the ankles; if you’re short like me, definitely opt for themidirather than full length.
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