R29 Staffers Review Lululemon’s Award-Winning Leggings

We often run into products that not only have to be seen to be believed but also put to the test. Tried & True is where we suss out these trending goods & services by taking them for an IRL spin to discover if they’re up to snuff. 

Dear zen-seeking yogis, mid-day power walkers, and anyone who just likes rocking athleisure attire, we found the ever-elusive perfect pair of leggings. The lululemon InStill High-Rise Tight might already be on your radar after its launch last September was followed by serious fanfare. The popular activewear brand’s latest legging innovation is famed for combining Align-quality softness with Wunder-level compression — or, what Goldilocks suiting up for a yoga class might call “just right.” Unsurprisingly, these high-rise tights were designed specifically with yoga in mind; providing an overall fit the brand describes as “a hugged feel” that “stays put so you don’t have to pull them up mid practice.” Other bells n’ whistles include lululemon’s trademark SmoothCover fabric (a blend of 74% nylon and 26% lycra elastane), a 25″ inseam, a back drop-in pocket, ten colorway options, and sizes ranging from 0-20.

Ever since our beauty and wellness writer’s glowing review of the InStill Tight was published in the fall of 2021, we began to notice an upward trend of our readers adding the style to their carts. Priced at a premium of $128 and still consistently clocking in as a top-purchased item, month after month, our interests were more than piqued. And finally, after winning the Leggings 2.0 title in our second-ever MVP Awards this past January, we decided it was high time for the entire team to give these legendary tights a try.

For the purposes of our group review, lululemon graciously provided each participant with their own pair of InStill High-Rise Tights to test as they pleased. Aside from ranging in preferred size, colorway, and activity, the below testers also range in levels from lululemon devotees to absolute newbies. Read on to discover what exactly all the hype is about when it comes to the real-life fit, feel, and appeal of these award-winning/reader-favorite/wellness-writer-approved workout pants.

I’ve never worn a more incredible pair of leggings at the airport.

Mercedes Viera

InStill High-Rise Tight 25″, $128 (Black)

“My ideal when it comes to leggings is comfort. I don’t work out, so I don’t care whether or not it sucks me in, or how sweatproof the fabric is, or any of that. I only care about how perfect they are for lounging — and these are perfect for that! They’re buttery-soft and a winner in my book.

I recently put them to the test on a trip. The leggings were a part of my travel outfit both ways, and honestly? I’ve never worn a more incredible pair of leggings at the airport. They’re not too thin that you’ll be cold, and they’re not too thick that you’ll sweat right away. As for physical activity, I think these would actually be perfect for yoga or any low-impact activity.

I don’t know how many times I can express how soft these leggings are! That’s definitely my favorite and best part. The only negative is, with a 25-inch inseam, they’re a tiny bit too long on me — but that’s every pair of leggings I’ve ever owned, and it doesn’t really bother me.

I definitely recommend them! I love these leggings so much — can you tell? — and if you’re looking for something that’s lounging-perfect, these are IT!” – Mercedes Viera, Associate Deals Writer

The best way to describe the feel of the InStill Tights is like wearing supportive butter.

Elizabeth Buxton

InStill High-Rise Tight 25″, $128 (Bronze Green)

“Surprisingly enough, these are my first-ever pair of lululemon leggings — and, after hearing all the hype about the InStill Tights from many a Shopping teammate and R29 reader, my first impressions of the best-selling style did not disappoint. Even before pulling them on, I could tell they were well made. The material felt silky but substantial; the creamy artichoke (aka bronze green) colorway was soothing yet eye-catching.

The best way to describe the feel of the InStill Tights is like wearing supportive butter. These are, without a doubt, the most flattering pair of leggings I own. I cannot get over how velvety soft they are, without feeling too thin or revealing on my legs, booty, and (especially) crotch areas — an issue I often run into with many of my other lightweight leggings.

My ideal leggings aren’t too thick OR too thin — I want them to be compressive, but also lightweight and breathable. Additionally, I’m partial to high-waisted seamless styles that provide a smooth and streamlined silhouette instead of lower-rise and cropped or compartmentalized by chaotic seaming patterns. Oh, and pockets, leggings with pockets are very important. The InStill Tights are all of these things.

I’ve been putting these leggings to the physical test for the past month, doing a range of activities in them on multiple days out of the week: working from home in them; binging Netflix on the couch in them while hungover; walking the dog in them; taking hot yoga classes in them; running in them on very cold days; traveling on a plane in them; running errands in them; going to brunch in them; etc. The applicable possibilities for wear and tear on these babies are endless.

The leggings held up super well throughout my past few weeks of testing. They seemed to move with me and adapt to each activity or task: feeling breathable and stretchy when things got sweaty and tight; keeping me warm and contained when things got high-impact and frigid.

I am obsessed with the InStill Tight’s smooth seam that runs up the crotch area and connects to the waistband — it creates an unexpected flattering-dip shape to the waist, like a less extreme version of the viral cross-over-style leggings.

If there were one thing I had to critique about these leggings, it would be the steep price. (If they were less, I would buy a pair in every single colorway.) But, the quality IS there — so, I foresee these lasting me a long time without degrading or fading.

Having not previously considered myself a member of the lululemon Stan Club, I can now proclaim that this pair has turned me. I 100% would recommend them (and have) to those looking for a quality pair of wear-everywhere leggings. The InStill Tights are 10/10 on everything from cute to comfortable and high-performance-friendly.” – Elizabeth Buxton, Senior Affiliate Director

The soft, comfortable feeling and weight of the leggings are definitely the best part.

Chichi Offor

InStill High-Rise Tight 25″, $128 (Dark Red)

“For me, an ideal legging feels soft and comfortable on my skin which these definitely live up to. I look for leggings that stay put during physical activity and these require the occasional adjusting. I’m not sure if that’s because of the sizing. I did get a size 20, the largest size currently offered. Perhaps a slightly larger size would have held put better or maybe the design could allow a little more for a curvy belly.

To test them out, I walked and did yoga as well as some standard calisthenics. For walking and yoga, it was mostly fine. I did have to do a little bit of adjusting because the waistband would slide down a little.

The soft, comfortable feeling and weight of the leggings are definitely the best part. I really don’t like when leggings are too compressive because it makes me feel like I cannot breathe, and these are far from that. I also like the color — I’ve been wanting a vibrant pair of red leggings, so I was pleased with how they IRL because sometimes that can be off compared to the website. I’d recommend them for someone my size or smaller. I do think sizing wise anyone larger might run into fit issues. I think lululemon should extend sizes further, but this is a sentiment I’ve felt for a while.” – Chichi Offor, Associate Writer

There’s this piped stitching detail that goes around the backside that I think just kind of reinforces the overall smooth fit around the butt.

Jinnie Lee

InStill High-Rise Tight 25″, $128 (Black)

“I don’t think I know any activewear brand that uses numerical sizing for its leggings — but lululemon does, so the whole notion of “ordering the right size” kind of threw me off. I ended up ordering my normal pant size and the leggings fit totally fine, but not in any specific or life-changing way where I must only order my exact legging size from now on. I do appreciate the attention to detail, however — I can only imagine the sizing must attribute to lululemon’s cult-like status in the activewear space.

Since these leggings are meant for yoga, I did a yoga-pilates session in them right away. I will say that the compression is nice and snug and there’s this piped stitching detail that goes around the backside that I think just kind of reinforces the overall smooth fit around the butt. The material is thicker than what I’m normally used to wearing, but the wicking material didn’t leave me overly sweaty in the crotch area. A few days later, I wore the leggings again, this time to a barre class and they held up solidly for a session that included a lot of squats, bends, chairs, bridge poses, and leg lifts. The inseam is also great for my 5’3″ frame but I did have to kind of adjust them a bit to evenly distribute the fabric on my legs.

My only complaint is that they pick up lint kind of quickly — but then again my leggings are black so any lint is sure to be more noticeable.” – Jinnie Lee, Freelance Fashion Market Writer

I like yoga pants that feel soft but are still compressive without pinching and I imagine, in the right size, these pants would be just that.

Marshall Bright

InStill High-Rise Tight 25″, $128 (Graphite Grey)

“I’ve never bought clothes from lululemon, but friends have told me they tend to run small. So, I did what I’m always too lazy to do and actually measured myself before selecting a size. My hip and waist measurements are perfectly lined up with a size 20 per lululemon’s size chart. This is on the larger side for me (I tend to be a size 14/16) but since my measurements lined up so well I expected these to be a perfect fit. Well… they weren’t.

They were at least one size too big, maybe two. Instead of being compressive, they were a tad baggy and bunched in spots. In other words, they were simply the wrong size. I took a nap in them and felt fine, but after a yoga class and some cleaning around the house, I noticed they were actually falling down. Which was too bad because, otherwise, there was a lot that I liked about them.

I like yoga pants that feel soft but are still compressive without pinching and I imagine, in the right size, these pants would be just that. Most of my leggings are Girlfriend Collective, and I actually preferred lululemon’s much softer hand feel. I also liked the length and stitching (I’m almost 5’4″), though I like GC’s larger back pocket better since it actually will hold an iPhone.

I’m going to pass these on to a friend, but will definitely be checking out more lululemon leggings in the future — I might just be trying them on in-store next time.” – Marshall Bright, Affiliate Top Editor

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Lululemon Is Finally Getting Into The Sneaker Game

Lululemon’s First Mushroom Leather Gym Bag Is Here

Leggings So Soft, You Could Live In Them

Ganni & Juicy Couture Just Dropped A Tracksuit-Filled Collection

Today’s fashion trends are a look back at the Y2K era, with mini skirts, tube tops, and butterfly prints. But Danish brand Ganni’s new collaboration with Juicy Couture is looking at a more leisure-minded early aught staple: the velour tracksuit. 

On Wednesday, the two brands dropped a 13-piece collection filled with matching sets, bedazzled logos, and trucker hats that bring to mind Paris Hilton’s The Simple Life days. But it’s the wide array of the two-piece tracksuits that stand out. “There are few fashion pieces in the world that are as easily recognized as Juicy Couture’s velour tracksuit  — it’s truly a piece of pop culture history and I am super excited for Ganni’s take on it,” said Ditte Reffstrup, Ganni’s creative director, via press release. 

While the brands might be tapping into millennials’ nostalgia, the collection was created with today’s eco-conscious consumer in mind:  The materials include a mix of organic and recycled cotton and polyester. For Reffstrup, recreating this cult classic in a more sustainable way was a “great extra layer to the collaboration.”

Back in the era of MSN Messenger and hot pink Motorola cell phones, velour tracksuits were popularized by figures like Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and Britney Spears, who often paired the casual two-piece ensemble with large sunglasses, flip-flops, and designer handbags. Over the years, Juicy Couture became synonymous with the look, which came in bright colors like hot pink,  baby blue, and pastel yellow. Now, as the Y2K trends have jumped from TikTok to the streets, the trend is back on.

Even if velour isn’t your thing, the Ganni x Juicy Couture collection features some other Y2K-ready styles to help you time travel, including logomania dresses and halter tops. Available in stores and online, the collection — retailing from $135 to $395— is a confirmation this spring season is about to get Juicy. 

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Why Some Millennials Are Embracing The Y2K Trends

13 Sets To Get Into The Tracksuit Game

Here's How To Wear Y2K Butterflies In 2021

How Traditional Techniques (& Lots Of Color) Inspire Abacaxí Founder Sheena Sood

What do you get when you combine a love of world cultures, sustainable production techniques, and striking silhouettes and patterns? Enter Abacaxí, a small batch fashion brand started by Sheena Sood. Although the label takes its name from the Portuguese word for pineapple, Sood takes inspiration from her travels and ties across the globe. Refinery29 recently caught up with Sood to learn more about her process, inspiration, and latest collection.

One thing becomes very clear when speaking with Sood – she takes quality textile and fabric creation seriously. She employs practices like weaving, beading, and embroidery in creating and producing her designs. In addition to traditional practices, Sood also honors her own intuition and the planet throughout all phases of the Abacaxí process. From the organic, regenerative cotton farm she utilizes in India to the vibrant and sustainable plant dyeing techniques, details are carefully and consciously considered. Sood is all about creating a quality product that’ll last, and one that you’d want to wear forever too.  “I think when you wear [clothing] –even if it’s like a casual dress or something that you might wear all the time– when it’s handmade, when the fabric is moving, or maybe it has like some little detail, it really it does feel different,” she says.

Dynamic silhouettes and bursts of colors of color are key qualities that have become synonymous with the essence of Abacaxí. As a lifelong world traveler, Sood garners inspiration for her collections from the countries she visits and most importantly the life changing-experiences she faces. Sood explains that her latest collection, “Stingray,” was inspired by her first time snorkeling and overcoming her fear of the ocean. “I will never forget the moment of actually just dumping my head underwater and overcoming that fear and then seeing this incredibly beautiful, kaleidoscopic underwater world that I had never seen before…I think about the stingray I saw gliding along the ocean floor. That’s also a memory that stuck with me.“

You can experience Sood’s intricate designs firsthand since Stingray is available to shop online now. Keep scrolling to read my conversation with Sood, where she dishes on everything Abacaxí including the design process, colorway inspiration, and her loyal customer base.

Cargo Wide Leg Pant, $385

What inspired the launch of Abacaxi?

“I worked as a [textile] designer for several different brands before I started Abacaxi. I really wanted to just focus on using a lot of these traditional textile techniques that I find so fascinating, especially from India, which is where I’m originally from. But also…it mainly started with wanting to bring those textiles into everyday wear like hand-woven fabrics, different beading, and embroidery techniques, and even plant dyeing and traditional dyeing techniques, too. There are a lot of crafts that are obviously done less and less and less and kind of at risk of disappearing, too. I wanted to work with these artisans and give them another opportunity to bring it back.”

How did the name come to be, and how do both cultural influences impact the brand’s design?

“Both of my parents are originally from India. I grew up in the US. When I first started my line, I was making this capsule in Brooklyn, and I actually didn’t really have a name for the brand. I was planning to just put my name, but as I was actually making it and putting it together, it was the depth of winter… And for some reason, I had like all these memories of my time traveling along the northern coast of Brazil. And it came back to me and I remembered the word “abacaxi.” It’s such a musical word. And I loved the way that it was spelled, and I remembered the way that the fruit sellers on the beaches would just basically sing out the words of the fruits that they were selling. O knew I wanted my brand to have that tropical-inspired, happy kind of experience. I lived in Argentina when I was in high school, so I’ve always been fluent in Spanish, and kind of I’ve been lucky enough to travel a lot around the world as a kid. My dad …would travel; a lot and he would bring us on a lot of different trips. So there are definitely different cultural influences just based on my experiences and my travels in my work too.”

Zipper Mini Dress, $385

Abacaxi’s collections are filled with amazing pops of color. Where did you get the inspiration for such vibrant design color stories each season?

“I’m obsessed with color… I actually did one collection called ‘Color Is a Cure’ that was really I just let the color itself be an inspiration for the whole thing. And I do actually believe in the healing power of color. I don’t really believe that fashion exists in the industry. So it’s like, you know, certain people have a certain skin tone, aren’t supposed to wear yellow or orange or whatever. But I do feel that there’s a strong reason why some of us are attracted to certain colors and not other ones… I sometimes start with a point of inspiration, but other times just start designing and choosing the fabrics and the techniques, and the palette comes together based on the materials. Color inspiration can come from so many different things. Sometimes it’s a memory or a certain place, but sometimes it’s really just the materials themselves or the fabrics or the techniques that I want to use.”

 What efforts does the abacaxi team use to ensure products are being produced sustainably?

“I mentioned that the emphasis on handcrafted textiles was important from the beginning. All of our production up until now has been made in small batches just because of the nature of the way it’s made. The tie-dye stuff every piece is literally tied and died by hand. It’s all a very slow production process.”

Tie Up Maxi Dress, $375

What would you say sets Abacaxi apart from other small independent retailers?

“I think my background as a textile designer and the technical knowledge that I have on all of these different methods of creating textiles really sets the collections apart in terms of the detail and just being able to work with custom weaves, costumes, [and] accessories. Every fabric, essentially every embroidery, every print, — it’s all custom. The other thing is my flair for color…I [also] like to tell stories. There’s sort of a lot of storytelling within each collection, so sometimes it’s more subtle and sometimes it’s a little more [obvious], you know, you can decipher the symbols in the prints.”

How would you describe your customer base?
“Well, I think that my brand and everything that I do tends to resonate with a lot of South Asian people, but also just like people who have multicultural backgrounds, I think because of the stories that I’m telling and the inspiration behind the silhouettes that it seems to be who is attracted to the brand. I also have been doing extended sizing up through 3X or 4X, so not all styles, but most. And then, as you know, things are growing and our production is getting a little bit bigger. I’m hoping to eventually offer up to 4X for all styles. I’m like a size 14, so I always sort of design with several different sizes and body shapes in mind, just naturally.”

Mini Eva Dress, $450

What would you say is what you’re like best selling product of all time or like the one thing that you’re really known for?“

“Three designs come to mind [and] one is called the Ava dress. And it’s just a really flattering, long-sleeve dress silhouette that has smocking. So it’s really flattering on several different body shapes, and it’s a full circle skirt with big puff sleeves and smocking at the wrist too with a square neckline.
The other piece that embodies a lot of the ethos of the brand and was a really popular piece that sold out is called the Divya blouse. It’s [a] one-shoulder blouse that has a pleated scarf attached to the shoulder. You can wear it in many different ways. The last one is the smocked shorts. They’re just super cute. They’re very comfortable to wear. They come in a whole bunch of different colors with little neon dots and fabrics, so that’s been a bestseller and a signature design, too.”

In Refinery29’s Talking Shop series, we’re chatting with owners of up-and-coming small businesses about their experiences launching, the big challenges and wins they’ve faced, and of course, their products and services.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

How Sustainable Denim Brand Boyish Keeps It Real

Talking Shop With The Founders Of The June

This Reader-Favorite Sustainable Sneaker Has A

17 Belly Chains To Help You Layer On The Body Baubles Like It’s 2003

Today’s trends are anything but straightforward, with belly chains, opera gloves, and claw clips all making waves. Ensuring that your wardrobe is up to date can often mean searching for shoppable items in a sea of puzzling options. Our column Sourced answers all your market-related questions, as well as offers you an endless source of styles that will make snagging today’s top trends easy, so you can spend your precious time learning about the next wave of trends.

Once reserved for the sceniest of Y2K celebrities — think: Amanda Bynes, Christina Aguilera, Christina Milian, and Nelly Furtado — the belly chain is once again enjoying a resurgence. We’ve seen the waist-skimming baubles in Instagram pics posted by Doja Cat, Hailey Bieber, and Coi Leray as well as on the Spring 2022 catwalks at Chanel, Blumarine, and Acne Studios. Essentially, a skimpy summer look is not complete until a gold or silver chain — sometimes embellished with pearls or other stones — is encircling your waist.
 
Intrigued? Same. But where does one buy a belly chain for an upcoming tropical vacation or night out other than from a DIY shop on Etsy or straight from Chanel? There are some jewelry brands that have been working on supplying us with belly chains. Missoma, Bagatiba, Petit Moments, and more Instagram-favorite brands are all now offering body jewelry for you to test out this summer. 
 
To help get your collection of belly chains started, we rounded up 16 modern styles ahead.
 
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

Bagatiba Princess Belly Chain, $, available at Bagatiba

Princess Polly Baby Girl Chain Belt, $, available at Princess Polly

Casa Clara Lily Belly Chain, $, available at Revolve

GISENA Dainty Simple Belly Waist Chain, $, available at Etsy

ASOS CURVE Curve Body Chain, $, available at ASOS

bstrdStyle Moonstone Belly Chain, $, available at Etsy

Versace Medusa-Charm Gold-Tone Belt, $, available at Farfetch

8 Other Reasons Waist Chain, $, available at 8 Other Reasons

Missoma Baroque Pearl Figaro Chain Belt, $, available at Missoma

Urban Outfitters Butterfly Chain Belt, $, available at Urban Outffiters

Ariana Ost Belly Chain, $, available at Free People

Michael Kors Pave Logo Chain Belt, $, available at Nordstrom Rack

AZ FACTORY Flat Chain Belt, $, available at Farfetch

Ellie Vail Jewelry Viola Paper Clip Waist Chain, $, available at Ellie Vail Jewelry

DianellaJewleryStore Belly Chain, $, available at Etsy

Fleur Du Mal x Paige Novick Pearl Bodychain, $, available at Fleur Du Mal

Dynamite Flat Snake Belly Chain, $, available at Dynamite

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

15 Claw Clips To Channel The Y2K Trend

Bold Orange Is Spring’s Must-Try Color Trend

11 Opera Gloves That Exude Main Character Energy