What are Jeggings? 21 Things you Need to Know

Many people ask what is the difference between jeggings and leggings?

Leggings that look like jeans are called jeggings!

While they fall into the category of skinny trousers that are designed to pull in your tummy and hug your legs, leggings and jeggings are significantly different in their design, and the material used to make them.

Related Post: Jeggings, leggings, treggings and what to wear with them

Most women wear jeggings because they offer warmth and flexibility giving you a streamlined silhouette offering the versatility and comfort of skintight leggings, while looking a little more like jeans.

However, they feel a little less rigid than jeans, while still giving a jeans-like appearance.

Whereas leggings are suitable to wear under a dress or a skirt, jeggings are not.

Leggings, especially if they are black or navy can be worn as a pair of fashionable tights, but jeggings are designed to be worn on their own as you would a pair of jeans.

According to Wikipedia jeggings came to the fore in the early 2000’s and were the most favoured piece of clothing in 2010.

What are Jeggings?

Jeggings are made to look like jeans. They are most often made as pull on trousers with an elasticated waist.

Jeggings are generally made from a thinner material than jeans, whereas jeans are generally made from a thicker denim.

You might find jeggings in a look-alike denim material but they will have some spandex or elastane in the material to make them hug the contours of your legs and hug your tummy tight.

Because they move with you, jeggings should remain comfortable to wear all day which means they are not only great for weekends or lazing around the house, but they’re also great for busy days when you’re hopping in and out of a car or on the move one way or another.

The Best Jeggings

The best jeggings will fit you like a glove, elongate and slim your legs, and shape your tummy area, but they should not give you an unsightly camel toe appearance at the crutch. Always look for jeggings that lift and tuck in this area.

Go for jeggings that have a high waist, because these will hide any muffin tops or tummy hangs.

Make sure they have a wide, contoured, elasticated waistband which feels sturdy and will remain strong. A wide waistband is much more comfortable than a thin one that is more likely to dig into you.

The best jeggings will wear like leggings, but have a thicker feel – almost like tried and true denim.

They should have a high capacity of stretch.

They may feature hidden hold-you-in design aspects, such as front or back pockets, that help to give you a sleek smooth all day long confidence.

What to wear with Jeggings

For a stylish look you could wear your jeggings with sneakers, ankle boots or calf length boots.

Pop on a beautiful blouse or an easy fit T Shirt – if you’re self conscious about your bottom half or your tummy, then choose a top which comes down just below your hips, and you’re good to go. If you’re confident then go for a short top, or a mid-riff top that skims your waistline.

In winter add a long length cardigan, a woollen coat or a stylish trench coat.

Personally, I wouldn’t suggest wearing jeggings with high heels because they are more of a casual, everyday style of pant best suited to day time wear. But having said that you could jazz them up for night time wear with a sparkly blouse and high heels or knee length boots or even ankle boots.

Difference between Jeggings and Leggings

Leggings are made of a thinner material than jeggings and you’ll find them in many colours and designs. They are also more likely to be easy to pull on, and have less design features around the waistline, as well as having a thinner elastic waistband.

Leggings might be good for the gym, or casual wear around the home, but because they are thinner, they are not as good as jeggings for everyday style and going out.

Jeggings, on the other hand, are made to look more like jeans and will be a thicker material than leggings.

If they are of a pull-up variety the waistband will most probably be thicker. They may have more design features like belt loops, a button and zip, or pockets. The fit will be more like skinny jeans or skinny trousers.

According to Ask Any Difference, these are the main differences between jeggings and leggings which I very much agree with:-

• Leggings are made of a softer material then Jeggings.
• Jeggings may have buttons, zips or even pockets attached to them whereas leggings are solid one-piece clothing with no attachments
• Jeggings are like denim jeans and are very similar to jeans in the way they look whereas Leggings are either a solid colour or have printed designs all over them.
• Leggings are made of cotton while Jeggings are made of polyester with spandex.
• Leggings have a lighter and stretchier feel to them than Jeggings.

Difference between Jeans and Jeggings

When it comes to the difference between jeggings and jeans it’s important to understand that sometimes jeans are sold as ‘jegging jeans.’

Jegging jeans may be pull ons, and made from denim. Or they may be very similar to jeans bust made of a stretchier material than skinny fit jeans.

Want the best jeans for your body type? Read this post : Best Jeans for women

Jeans are a type of pants or trousers, typically made from denim or dungaree cloth. Often the term “jeans” refers to a particular style of trousers, called “blue jeans”, which were invented by Jacob W. Davis in partnership with Levi Strauss & Co. in 1871.” Wikipedia

How would you describe Jeggings?

Jeggings are a type of pant that is likely to be made of a sturdy but stretchy material, generally polyester, cotton and spandex. They are comfortable and great for travelling. They are generally softer to the touch, and more pliable than traditional jeans made of denim.

Jeggings have the elasticity of a legging material which generally includes a proportion of spandex to make the pants hug your body, which makes them stretchier than classic jeans. This in turn should offer a more contoured fit.

What are Jeggings made from?

Jeggings are most often made from a cotton/spandex blend.

They fall into two main categories:-

1. Jeggings that are made of a legging material, i.e. a knit, made to look like denim with fake pockets and belt loops

2. Jeggings that are a true cross between denim and legging material. “Denim jeggings” are essentially a denim fabric with the elasticity of a legging, due to a higher proportion of Spandex in the fiber content.

Wikipedia

Leggings vs Jeggings – Which should you choose?

We don’t want to be prescriptive because we believe you should wear whatever makes you feel great everyday. So jeggings or leggings or treggings – you choose!

However, when it comes to leggings vs jeggings, as a general conclusion we have this to say …

Leggings are generally made of a thinner material than jeggings, and do not have the same design features around the waist line. Wearing leggings as active wear is a great way to get wear out of them. Wear them at home or walking the dog, going to the gym or doing the housework!

Leggings are not always a great fashion item to wear without wearing some kind of longer top because they do not leave much to the imagination due to the thinner, stretchier fabric they’re made from.

Yes you can wear leggings with a tight top if you’re super confident about your body – and why not? For me, I would only wear leggings with a hip skimming blouse and keep them for walking wear, very casual wear or for wearing around the house.

Do wear black, white or navy leggings under a dress or skirt – styled with sneakers or ankle boots, for a trendy daytime look when you want to cross-season a summer outfit to autumn.

Do wear designer or fashion leggings with a trendy top, but honestly I’d recommend wearing a longer length top with them to balance out your look.

Yes, to wearing jeggings when you want standalone pants that offer more flexibility and comfort than jeans will allow.

If you feel confident you could easily wear a shorter top or blouse with jeggings, as you would with jeans, because they have a more tailored and fitted waistband often with design features that are meant to be seen.

Jeggings are more suited to going out because they look more like trousers and look less like active wear. They are significantly more tailored than leggings.

Cotton Jeggings

If you’re after cotton jeggings, you might like to try these …

I really like Marks and Spencer’s high waisted cotton blend jeggings. They’re comfortable, they are a true fit, and they hold me in – in all the right places. They’re made of a super-stretch cosy brushed-back fabric. I like the skinny fit and find the high-waisted style flattering. You just pull them on, no zips or clasps to worry about, and get on with your day!

Petite Jeggings

If you’re petite, then definitely seek out jeggings that are made for petite people. You don’t have to wear long length jeggings and turn them up or cut them off at the ankles. Don’t compromise because there are lots of petite styles to choose from.

Put together an effortless silhouette with the petite jeggings like those from Style & Co. They’re designed to pull-on, and are mid-rise. I really like the softly faded look.

You’ll feel confident in the high waisted jeggings, that are great for petite figures, from Marks and Spencer. They are designed for petite ladies seeking fashionable styles without compromise. They feature a super stretch, and oh yes, apparently they have bum lift technology (sign me up!) So they should hug your body and lift you in all the right places.

Pull on jeggings can look and feel comfortably chic and sleek. The ones below from Chico’s are an ankle length, and give you the look of classic five-pocket jeans, right down to the rivet accents. They’re made from a stretch denim fabric that smoothes and slims.

Try the styles from brands like Chico’s, Marks and Spencer, and Style & Co featured below.

Capri Jeggings

For summertime casual wear you can’t go wrong with capri jeggings.

Capri style pants get their name from the Isle of Capri, and were made popular by the movie star Audrey Hepburn back in the 1950s.

They are cropped mid calf, and come in all sorts of designs but capri jeggings should be exactly like classic jeggings in all respects except for their leg length.

How are Jeggings supposed to fit?

• Jeggings should fit like a glove all the way down to your ankle.
• They should offer a firm hold around your tummy, pulling it in.
• At your rear the material should lift your butt rather than squash it absolutely flat!
• The waistband should be fairly wide (not a thin strip of elastic) because this gives a better look at your waistline.
• They should flatter your figure and help disguise lumps and bumps you’d like smoothed out.
• They shouldn’t buckle at the knee.

Fact File – 21 Things you Need to Know

1. Jeggings started to become a favourite fashion garment in the early 2000’s.
2. Leggings that look like jeans are known as jeggings.
3. Although jeggings are made to look like jeans they are generally not made of the same sturdy denim.
4. Jeggings are made from a thinner, softer material than jeans.
5. But they are made from a thicker material than leggings.
6. When you are wearing them they should feel less rigid against your skin than jeans.
7. Most often they are like pull on trousers with elasticated waistbands.
8. Jeggings may have design features like pockets (real or faux) and buttons or belt loops.
9. Jeggings might be made from a look-alike denim material, but the fabric will have some spandex, cotton, polyester or elastane included.
10. You can wear jeggings with any form of footwear, though they are more suited to casual shoes.
11. They are a trendy clothing item you can use as a base for layering fashionable top body garments.
12. For skin tight jeggings, longer tops and blouses can look more elegant and balance the look out.
13. Most jeggings have the same elasticity of a legging material to make them stretchier than normal jeans.
14. Some jegging are made of a legging type material that is made to look like denim.
15. Denim jeggings are made of a denim fabric that has a higher mix of spandex in the fiber. 
16. Jeggings can offer more flexibility and all day comfort than fitted jeans.
17. Capri style jeggings follow the design of capri style pants made popular in the 1950s, cropped at mid calf.
18. Jeggings should nip, tuck and contour your body, and help pull your tummy in and lift your rear.
19. Because jeggings are pull-on pants they should feel comfortable and look sleek.
20. High waisted jeggings can help hide a muffin top.
21. Sometimes jeans are sold as jegging jeans.

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