These Top-Rated Faux Leather Leggings Have Replaced All My Denim

Cropped, color-blocked, ribbed—my obsession with leggings knows no bounds, and the dozens of pairs stacked in my wardrobe is definite proof. But the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings were the one style missing from my repertoire. This elusive piece, which has thousands of five-star ratings across the internet, has been on my wish list for years. (Yes, years.) They finally made their way into my arsenal a few months ago, and I’m so happy they did. My only regret? Not buying these best-sellers sooner. 

Before even slipping into the leggings, I was impressed by the glossy material, which felt super luxe to the touch and seemed to have just the right amount of thickness to elasticity. The fabric, which is made of a stretchy blend of nylon, elastane, and spandex, isn’t flimsy at all—it has weight to it (like real leather pants) which I appreciate for wearing during the colder months. 

As promising as my first IRL impression was, I was still on the fence about how they would actually fit. Some reviewers say they’re compressive like shapewear, so would they be super tight? Would they turn sheer? Would they bunch up in all the wrong places? I’m happy to report the answer is “no” to all of these questions. 

Sure, these leggings are compressive, but nothing more than you would expect from a typical high-intensity workout legging. They feature a thick, high-waist band (the brand describes it as a “contoured power waistband”) that holds you in without rolling down or restricting you the least bit. Oh, and there’s no center seam (read: no awkward bulging or camel toe effect) to deal with. 

I’m 5’4″ and usually wear a size medium in leggings, but the Spanx size chart noted that these run small, so I sized up *just in case*.  I’m glad I did, because the larger size fits like a second skin. I also have an athletic build with a small waistline and muscular thighs, and the faux leather material highlights my features in the best way possible. (Cue the peach emoji.)