The warmest leggings will keep you looking chic in plummeting temperatures. Comfy and cosy, adding warm leggings to your wardrobe will be a game-changer for tricky weather days when you want to be extra comfortable and prepared for the season.
There are plenty of chilly months ahead, so there's no better time to begin planning your seasonal legging outfits. Although winter throws up countless joyous elements - think roast dinners, log fires, and cosy nights in - it can also make getting dressed a bit of a mission. Comfort is a major factor when putting together our wardrobe for chilly days, so a pair of reliable and stylish leggings is a non-negotiable in any winter capsule wardrobe.
If you're still struggling to curate your best leggings collection for cold weather, you should be looking for thermal fabrics, luxe fabrications such as cashmere, and fleece linings, as these will ensure you're getting a pair of the warmest leggings on the market. These easy-wear basics can help to underpin your wardrobe for the coming months and can easily be styled with everything from the best hoodies to knee-high boots for comfy, classic style. We've rounded up some of our favourite warm leggings to get you started.
The warmest leggings to shop now, chosen by our fashion experts
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RRP: £16 | Made from the brand’s innovative Heatgen Plus™ thermal technology, these are both toasty and breathable - perfect for what to wear skiing. With added stretch, the fit is adaptable, sleek, and perfect for layering, as well as pairing with the best slippers for women at home.
RRP: £54.99 | For the runner who never misses a day no matter the season, these are the best workout leggings that will keep you warm and cosy by maintaining your natural body heat with their clever design technology. But you can also enjoy them as part of a casual outfit when styled with one of the best black coats and some trainers.
RRP: £19.90 | 1.5 times warmer than regular HEATTECH, these extra-warm thermal leggings kick things up a notch. If you are someone who can never get enough layers during the colder months, these warm yet sleek leggings are a worthwhile investment that is still budget-friendly.
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RRP: £149 | Cashmere leggings are the ultimate wardrobe indulgence for the colder months and with 93% cashmere, these Poetry leggings are amongst the warmest leggings out there. Wear under your best midi dresses (no one needs to know) for added warmth and finish off with a pair of the best shoes to wear with leggings.
RRP: £20 | The modal fabric content keeps these leggings naturally breathable - a must for layering and transitional weather. With matching tops available, you can wear the coordinating set as part of your best loungewear looks or layer it up with the best winter coats for a cosy walking ensemble.
RRP: £65 | Finding great workout leggings for the colder months can be challenging, as you need something that will keep you warm whilst also being breathable enough to exercise in. Made with thermal yarn, this pair from Acai Outdoorwear is not only cosy, but also works to wick moisture away from the skin to keep you sweat-free.
RRP: £65 | For the look of denim without the tricky adjustment period, jeggings are the answer. With a tight fit, these jeggings will keep you warmer than traditional jeans, as well as provide much more room for movement and flexibility. eam with trainers and your best parka for walks and weekend plans.
RRP: £26 | Our group fashion editor, Hannah Hughes, swears by these leggings for unmatched warmth. "Both my mum and I still use these after cold water swimming," she says, and they work a treat for relaxing at home during icy weather too. The best part is that they wash well and keep their shape and quality, so this is a purchase that can be trusted to last.
RRP: £24 | Any type of legging can be worn as a layering piece, but not all leggings are discreetly warm enough for all-day wear. As hinted in the name, these Pour Moi leggings are extremely lightweight, imitating a second layer of skin with a barely-there feel that won't irritate or cause any discomfort.
RRP: £42 | Under Armour, if they're not a brand that you're familiar with, are specialists in heat tech and high performance clothing for athletes. The unique HeatGear® fabric the brand uses is weightless, yet retains heat to keep you toasty no matter the conditions. For rainy days you can rely on the moisture wicking qualities that rival the best waterproof jackets for women.
RRP: £24.99 | For the chilliest of days, only fleece-lined clothes will do. Mountain Warehouse consistently delivers on both practicality and comfort, and these affordable fleecy leggings are no exception. Fully opaque and delightfully cosy, these will take you from long winter walks to lounging by the fireplace.
RRP: £249 | Two of the best cold-weather fabrics mixed together in a pair of leggings create a luxurious cosiness and warmth. Gobi is a brand that makes cashmere everything, from pants and sweaters to scarves. These leggings are made from 66% cashmere and 29% silk, which are two of the best natural materials for keeping your body temperature regulated.
How to style the warmest leggings
Not sure what to wear with leggings? Need some legging outfit inspiration? Leggings are one of the most versatile pieces you can add to your wardrobe this season. Acting somewhere between tights and trousers - depending on how you wear them and their thickness, a pair of leggings can be both stylish and practical.
For wearing under trousers, opt for a fine knitted pair, as these won't add bulk and you can still squeeze into your best straight-legged jeans. For wearing under skirts or dresses you can afford to go for a slightly weightier pair, or opt for a cashmere pair of leggings for a really soft and warm finish. If your skirt is midi length, add a pair of knee-high boots to your look and no one will ever know that you have a pair of loungewear style leggings underneath.
If you want to show off your leggings (and let's face it, if you've invested in some high-quality ones, why not?) team with oversized jumpers and a leather jacket or one of your best winter coats for a laid back outfit.
What is warmer, tights or leggings?
Leggings and tights both offer added warmth in winter, but they serve slightly different purposes. Leggings are typically thicker and often come with fleece or thermal linings that will keep you extra cosy. Although you can get fleece-lined tights, these are less common and can also be pretty bulky. Standard tights won't keep you as warm as leggings due to the thinner fabric, so if it's warmth you're looking for above all else, leggings are the best way to go.
Do leggings keep you warmer than jeans?
"In short, yes," says our fashion editor Rivkie Baum. "Because jeans are made of cotton, despite their weight they are pretty breathable and the wider weave allows cool air to travel through the fabric more easily. Leggings have a much tighter construction (even those made of cotton) and so are naturally warmer. Leggings also can be crafted from a host of different fabrics including wool, cashmere, spandex and those with thermal properties which trap heat well."
Our experts:
With over fifteen years' experience, Rivkie is an accomplished fashion editor, writer and stylist. Covering international fashion weeks, and styling photoshoots all over the world, Rivkie loves translating the trends in an accessible way to make fashion available for all budgets.
Hannah Hughes is Group Fashion Editor at Future Publishing. Her work appears in woman&home, Woman, Woman's Own, and Woman's Weekly magazines. She is a fashion creative with over fifteen years of solid experience in editorial, commercial, and celebrity styling. She has an in-depth knowledge of the luxury, mid and high-street fashion sectors, which she developed over a decade spent as Fashion Director at some of the UK's most widely read women's magazines, including You Magazine and Look Magazine.
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