Printed leggings are hard to resist. Sure, I’m a big fan of neutrals, but there’s no denying that some days an explosion of super-bright colors gives me the extra energy I need to tackle a workout.
But once you bring home a pair of bright stretchy pants, sometimes it can be tough to figure out what on earth to wear with them.
So, how do you pull off head-to-toe color without looking like a total looney tune? Here’s a simple trick: choose one color within the print, and grab a top in that same shade. I got lucky with these leggings: this top I already had is pretty much a perfect match!
Specifically, I think heathered colors look even better than solids when it comes to matching loud prints. The swiftly long sleeve from lululemon is always a good fallback for a sleek heathered top. The heathering softens the look just enough to keep the top-bottom combo from looking blocky. The end result is vibrant and colorful, but still looks pulled together instead of haphazard.
These new power leggings are one of the loudest prints in my fall legging wardrobe. I love the effect of the blue mixed with streaks of hot coral. Although the people at Sweaty Betty were kind enough to send me a pair, I honestly would’ve been happy with them even if I had paid regular price. You might’ve seen these blow up your Instagram feed this week, and for good reason. I seriously love these pants and have already worn them a couple of times. Sweaty Betty made a great choice by highlighting these leggings this season, because they’re legit awesome.
Here’s a quick review of Sweaty Betty’s power leggings.
The fabric is a smooth but soft material somewhere between silky and cottony, making it a great hybrid that will work for just about any workout. And, the thickness is great for fall–not as thick as a thermal, but just a little thicker than the crops I like to wear in hot weather.
I typically wear size XXS in Sweaty Betty leggings, but these are a size XS since that’s the smallest available. I was nervous about the sizing, but luckily, they’re a great fit! They’re light-to-medium compression on me, so if you purchase your usual size, expect medium compression. If I’m being really picky, they’re just slightly loose in the lower legs, but it’s barely noticeable at all and doesn’t bother me. I recommend buying your true size, and if you’re between, you may find your size up more comfortable.
The “7/8” length is just about perfectly full length on me and will work well on taller ladies too. The rise is high, just under my belly button. They also feature an invisible back zip pocket that’s large enough for my iPhone 6, plus reflective detail at the calf.
My pair is fully opaque, even in a deep squat/bend, which is always a big plus for an all-purpose pair of leggings. Another reason these are a big winner: the backing is a lighter color of the print, rather than totally white. This makes for some great print integrity, meaning these do not white out when stretched!
Overall, the power leggings are awesome and I’ve worn them a few times already. I would definitely consider another pair!
Outfit details
Lululemon pigment blue swifty long sleeve (old color)
Sweaty Betty lava print power leggings – c/o
Nike Metcon 2 – customized via NikeID
Lululemon weekend warrior bag – deep zinfandel (old)
Shop this look
What a fun and colourful outfit, I love these leggings on you. The Heathered Pigment Blue Swiftly works perfectly and I agree that doing a heathered vs a solid does eliminate a colour blocking effect.
Thanks Cin! It was definitely meant to be with the pigment swiftly. :)
super cute!! i just ordered an embarrassing amount from SB to try (although not any power leggings). do you have the zero gravity leggings? they have a couple of darling pairs for fall.
random tip for everyone (that i discovered by accident). my husband ordered me a SB gift card once, and since they send them by mail, they now have his mailing address. he gets catalogues ALL THE TIME with 20% codes (sometimes 30%!!). i get the same catalogues with no code. i think they want him to place his “first” order. :-D
I got one pair of zero gravity last spring. The fabric is stiffer and more compressive, not super-stretchy like these. They’re a pretty firm, hold-you-in kinda fit. That said they’re usually not totally opaque, which is a bummer. I think they would be most useful to runners. I prefer the stretchier, more opaque fabric since I’m usually moving around a lot lifting weights, etc.
Also: I used to get codes on my catalogs too. But, I just got one this past week and I looked…no code. :(
well yeah, mine don’t have codes either. only my husbands do… you need someone you live with to sign up for catalogues and then never buy anything so that the codes keep coming. winky winky ;)
and great to know about the zero gravities – i wanted them for running, so that is perfect. thanks!
Ah yeah I placed another order from SB recently (during their sale), so I bet that’s why the codes stopped, haha.
Btw, go with the larger of your 2 sizes for the zero gravity. XS fit me fine and was still compressive.
oh that is helpful – I did go with M, but was slightly worried about it since I’m a S in their yoga leggings. nice to have the reassurance thanks :)
speaking of wild leggings… werkshop full-length cranes just arrived. highly recommend. they’re my first pair of full-length werkshops, so i thought i’d post here something i noticed that i LOVE = the gusset is more like the k-deer one, going part-way down the leg. SO COMFY, regardless of the contortions that are happening. and like all werkshops, they’re tough enough for something as high-intensity as krav maga.
also, the alala seamless bra hasn’t been reviewed anywhere here, as far as i know. so i wanted to throw in that it’s super comfy, too, though i’m not convinced the support would be sufficient for a larger-chested woman say, to run in. maybe the new seamless bra – the crusade one – is higher support…..
Thanks for your input!! :) I’d heard about the different gusset on the full length, so I’m glad to hear another positive review. The crane pattern is gorgeous.
I’ve been tempted by the Alala seamless bra but I’m pretty sure it’d be casual use only for me. Even the crusade bra I doubt would have enough support for. Seamless fabric is usually just too stretchy.
Coming back here because I just got the crusade bra from Alala! Can confirm: it’s still light support, for me at least. I imagine it doesn’t help that I have to wear their size S and my bra size is around 30D. It might be a little more supportive for a larger band size. It’s outrageously comfortable though, probably similar to their original seamless bra last season.
Yes! It’s not good for some activities but.. I am about to wear mine on a plane, for example. I’d never normally wear a sports bra (or, usually, any bra at all) on a flight. I think of it like a sporty bralette:)
Yes exactly! I don’t really wear wired bras anymore, so bras like these are perfect for general use.
Dang it AA! I was already wanting these and you go and make them look that much cuter! Sweaty Betty is doing a great job marketing these too. I keep seeing them but haven’t tried SB ever yet. I love me some bright coral….
Sorry about that. :) For a first-time SB purchase, I think these are a good start. High quality, but not as expensive as a lot of their other leggings. If you don’t go for these, my other favorites are their yoga leggings (the fabric is awesome) and thermal leggings, which I imagine will be on their way soon.
Love this!
Those leggings are on my wish list:-) I was actually looking to pair this with either the Anusara yoga vest in the lava red or the seamless tank in the ultramarine….such hard choices!!
Love this post though:-)
Yeah, I’m not sure *exactly* what the color names are within this print, but both of those sound promising. I would think “lava red” would match “lava print”. :) This is definitely one time where it’s nice you’re in the UK, SB is a little cheaper there. :)
Question on SB sizing? I’m kind of between a lulu 4 and 6. I always do a 4 in leggings but go between 4&6 in shorts. Usually I go size small in other brands but it almost sounds like SB might be xs….how loose are yours AA? I run so I definitley do not want and slide down happening but also definitley don’t want sausage legs with the seaming on these.
I size up in Sweaty Betty- I think it runs small. I wear a size 4 in Lulu in all tights, and an XS at Athleta and most other brands, and I am definitely a S in Sweaty Betty.
They fit perfectly at the hips and thighs. It’s just the lower leg that’s a tad loose, which may have more to do with me being short than them being a size up. It’s definitely a tough call. You could also see if their customer service has any advice on sizing. Returns are usually free, though, so you could always order both and see which you prefer. The only issue is that returns sometimes take quite a while, since it has to ship all the way back to the UK.
Thanks for the XS/XXS comments, Suzanne! I’ve been on the fence about ordering them because I really love SB’s XXS leggings and wouldn’t want anything that didn’t stand up to the ones I have. But that print is so cute, and it sounds like the fabric is weighty which might help make them feel tighter.
Yes, I ordered a pair of yoga crops from SB in XS once and just didn’t like them as much as my XXS. These definitely fit better! I agree, the weightier, more compressive fabric helps out A LOT with fit.
I’m wondering … Do u ever do a review of items that you don’t get for free?
This blog is a great balance of pretty much everything to do with athletic wear including reviews. Reviews include items purchased by the blogger as well as gifted. If you have been a long time reader, you would have read about posts and comments on this very topic. I personally appreciate both types of reviews since they alert me of new products and help me with product selection and fit information. If you are turned off by reviews of gifted items, you don’t have to take the information seriously, but a lot of the blog readers do appreciate them. Just my two cents.
Thanks for chiming in. :)
Hi Katharine! To answer your question directly, out of my recent review posts, 10 of the 12 I published highlighted products that I purchased on my own. You can see them here: http://www.agentathletica.com/category/reviews/
If you have other questions about my policies on product features, I’m happy to answer them.
Looking to try these in black. Would you mind providing some input on the sizing? I’m a 4 in lulu tights, and xs in athleta. I can get into 2s in lulu bottoms and mostly due to skinny calves but they would also cut into my muffin top (I have an athletic built, wider top and slimmer bottom; eg. I’m a 4/6 in lulu tops and s in athleta tops). Sizing charts on the websites are never really accurate, as you know. Also, from the pictures you shared, they look to be high-waisted, can you confirm that? Thank you :)
I would definitely recommend the XS for you. I think they fit similar to a lulu 4. I’m 5’3″ and the rise hits just a touch below my belly button with plenty of coverage in the back too, so yes, I would call them high rise. Hope that helps! Good luck. :)
Thank you for the quick reply! I pulled the trigger and am looking forward to some new tights:)
Love the printed legging look for athletics AND casual dress!
I totally agree! I wear prints under my dresses all the time.
Love the look!