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I’m on a scrolling spree. I’ve been searching online for the last three hours and twenty minutes with the sole purpose of treating myself to a pair of “luxury” leggings. I find my dream pair, made by a high-end brand and attached to an even higher-end price. But it’s worth it, right? *Cue the daydream in which, simply by wearing the expensive leggings, my entire life transforms. I wear them to hot yoga each morning at 8 am. I wear them on the plane when I move to Paris. I wear them as I climb the Eiffel Tower with my new French friends.*
Then I check my bank account balance to confirm what I already know—it’s not a great time to spend more than $100 on pants. I recall at once that I don’t even like hot yoga and I’m not traveling to France any time soon.
Despite the fact that I can’t afford what some may consider the “it girl” leggings, I still need something to wear to yoga and the gym. I peruse some lower-priced options when I come across the Offline Real Me Aerie Crossover Leggings. They’re on sale (similar to the one Aerie is holding right now). I purchase two pairs in different styles, fully planning on designating them my holdover leggings until I get my next paycheck. Later, as if my life was a rom-com in which rivals turn into lovers, I would fall in love with these leggings after really getting to know them (though, sadly, not in Paris).
The crossover design on these stretchy leggings feels way more comfortable on my stomach than a traditional waistband. I never have to yank them up mid-class as they stay perfectly in position. And these are soooo lightweight—the perfect pair of leggings to tuck away in a gym locker or yoga bag. Perhaps because the material is pretty thin, it’s also breathable. The only downside I experienced while wearing the Aerie Crossover Leggings was an unfortunate incident involving wearing white underwear and practicing Standing Forward Bend in the stretching area of my gym. Under those fluorescent lights, I could see in the mirror behind me that I was revealing more than my love of yoga. Black underwear is the way to go. Although if you’re in a dimly lit yoga studio, you’re probably covered.
These are the same style and material as the pair above—the only difference is the leggings become wider and flare out beneath your knee. Although I was initially concerned that I’d look like the fifth member of ABBA wearing them, I couldn’t have been more pleased with the aesthetic. They look more like real pants than most yoga leggings I’ve owned, which means the Aerie Crossover Flare Leggings work as well with a workout top as they do with an oversize sweatshirt or cardigan if I’m grabbing coffee with a friend post-yoga class.
