What’s the difference between tights, leggings, and yoga pants?

Whether you call them tights, leggings or yoga pants, one thing remains constant: They are the go-to pants choice for women everywhere. Don’t even try to argue, as this is an indisputable fact.

So what’s the difference between tights, leggings, and yoga pants?

Tights – are very similar to pantyhose. They are a skin-tight, one-piece garment for the lower part of the body and the legs, now often made of stretch fabric, originally worn by dancers, acrobats, gymnasts. Tights can be sheer yet solid in colour, whereas leggings are almost or absolute opaque, not sheer. Thus the almost opaque tights are not suited as pants.

Leggings -Leggings are usually worn under a skirt or over a large t-shirt. Usually thinner material than yoga pants.

Leggings refers to several types of leg coverings. Modern usage from the 1960s came to refer to elastic close-fitting garments worn over the legs typically by women, such as leg warmers. Usage from the 18th century refers to men’s wear, usually made of cloth or leather that is wrapped around the leg down to the ankle.

Leggings can make a fashion statement as part of an Athleisure outfit. I often wear push up leggings and tops as street collocations. They are not only fashionable, energetic, but also warm.

Yoga pants are usually made of spandex and polyester and even Nylon. Leggings can be made of cotton or a combination of all previously mentioned. Yoga pants can be tight and narrow at the bottom like leggings or bootcut, flared, bell bottomed, etc. typically, they are the heaviest in weight and are very popular as an alternative to jeans for younger women especially.  They all overlap and I actually like leggings best for practicing hot yoga because they are thinner!

Leggings and Yoga Pants are currently very much in fashion, as are the styles that incorporate them into some of the coolest outfits seen in street fashion worldwide.

But leggings are not only used for exercise as you can see from the fashion models and movie stars who often wear them, whereas yoga pants are primarily designed for exercise.

I hope that after reading this article, you can more clearly distinguish the difference between them. Make better choices based on your needs. Tights, leggings, and yoga pants?