Leggings have come a long way since the days when one style suited all - as those of us who like a stretch class as much as a quick sprint will attest. The right pair makes a dramatic difference to your performance, SO we decided to ask Varley founder Lara Mead to show us how to pick “the one”. 

A quick way to work out what style is the perfect fit for your chosen activity is to take a look at the waistband - there’s nothing more likely to derail the perfect headstand or downward dog than feeling the waist of your leggings slowly slipping down. If yoga, pilates or something similiar is what you’ll be wearing your leggings the most for, look for a pair with internal elastic at the waist, like Varley’s Let’s Move, which also has a supported inner seam so you can move freely while feeling secure.

If, however, it’s running that’s your thing, a drawstring waist is perfect because it grips comfortably yet firmly. We designed the waistband on the Let’s Go legging with a hidden flat drawcord that can be adjusted to fit. 

How the legging material looks, feels, and performs, is critical to the way you look, feel and perform. Here, it’s the weight of the fabric that’s important in determining what you need, because while it’s a given that the fabric should be opaque (even when stretched to the max), you’ll also want it to move with you, and give support where necessary. 

For running or any high-performance activity where stretch, movement and support are essential, the compressive and durable nature of the fabric for our Let’s Go legging is versatile enough to withstand anything you put it through. For yoga, Pilates, dance or powerwalking, we like the specific weight of the Let’s Move, which offers full mobility, flexibility and support. 

To really get the most out of your leggings, look for those extra design components that make life easier. Do you need to tuck a locker key into a pocket in your gym class?  Our Let’s Move leggings have a concealed pocket in the waistband for those last-minute necessities, that won’t get in the way of their fit.

How important is sustainability to you? Pick a brand that uses recycled fibres wherever possible as in our Let’s Move leggings (ALSO LET” S GO?) or that cuts their fabrics on demand, like we do at Varley, so that there’s less wastage.  Finally ask yourself, will I be wearing these elsewhere, say on a school run or in my down time? We designed the Let’s Move and the Let’s Go with style as important a consideration as fit and function, so that you can enjoy wearing them, whatever you decide to do in them. 

This article was written for Runners Need by Lara Mead, founder of performance-fashion brand Varley, renowned for its elevated yet understanded pieces. Designed with movement in mind, we blend active collections with contemporary styles and outwear pieces for modern-day, multi-tasking women.