If you’re a fan of fun and loud prints on your stems, be sure you have these 4 up-and-coming labels on your radar. By the way: this is by no means an exhaustive list!
Eagle Rock Werkshop
I keep seeing Werkshop mentioned over and over–people seem to be loving their leggings. The brand is gaining some traction and can’t keep some of their more popular styles on the shelves.
All of their leggings are cropped length, ranging from 21.5″ to 23.5″, depending on size. They use an Italian poly/elastane blend that they tout as being quite compressive and very resistant to pilling. They do a lot of bold and creative prints, and their method of printing seems to produce really vibrant results.
Their sugar skull prints are some of their best sellers, like this dark sugar print. I would totally wear these.
I love the purple tones in this broken glass print, but apparently so did everyone else, as they’re currently sold out.
For a bit of sartorial humor, Werkshop offers a few food-themed prints, like these kale leggings.
Although currently a lot of the gorgeous prints are sold out in some or all sizes, keep your eye out for potential restocks of whatever you’re coveting. See more Werkshop here.
K-Deer
K-Deer is another brand that seems to be growing quite rapidly. I see their stuff discussed on Facebook groups and popping up on my Instagram feed on the regular.
K-Deer uses a nylon/spandex fabric for all their leggings and have designed the pattern to be flat in the front with no crotch seam. Their gusset also has an unusual design that extends down the inner thigh. You can see what I mean about the gusset in this pic. K-Deer also offers kids’ sizes for matchy mom-daughter duos.
K-Deer’s striped leggings are the most popular, especially the alexis stripe. For more stripey goodness, check out the purple ellen stripe, the pink laura stripe, and the multi-colored jamie stripe.
For a really bold take on stripes, punk rock stripe is where it’s at. The colors here remind me of something out of Willy Wonka or Dr. Seuss or something.
Disco dot is another print getting a lot of attention.
Although their stock pics don’t give you a very good idea of how these look, you should definitely take a look at their Instagram for some action shots, which will probably make you want several pairs. Take a look at their full collection here.
P.S. Mosey over to their Facebook page for info about a deal they’re running right now for up to 30% off!
Zara Terez
Carbon38 recently started stocking Zara Terez, and while I haven’t heard much about them otherwise, I like to think their presence on a high-end site like C38 means good things. ZT makes both capri length and full length, although judging from the measurements these will basically be ankle length on shorties. They use nylon/spandex fabrications, and you’ll notice that unlike most yoga leggings, their waistband is narrow as opposed to the usual extra-wide cut.
The purple crushed makeup print is a nice mix of hues.
I’m always partial to space prints like these northern lights capris.
These cherry blossom capris are another unique motif.
If you sign up for Zara Terez’s newsletter, you’ll be able to nab 10% off your first purchase from their website. Shop Zara Terez on their website or on Carbon38.
Liquido Active
Liquido is a Brazil-based company, which probably shouldn’t be surprising considering how out-there some of their prints are. Their fabric is a blend of polyamide and spandex. Bear in mind that I don’t believe Liquido’s bottoms have a gusset (see this pic, for example), so if that’s a dealbreaker for you, proceed with caution.
Liquido makes both full-length and cropped options, but the size small leggings are only about 23″ at the inseam, so they’re likely to hit above the ankles or even mid-shin on taller ladies. Larger sizes are a bit longer. The size small of the crops are 17″, which will be just a bit past the knee. You can see how these lengths hit on real people on their Instagram.
The amazonia pattern is unusual with its cool-toned mix of reptile prints.
The be free berrylicious leggings are, well, berry-toned, with feminine butterflies all over.
And somehow even more girly are the sassy bette leggings, with flowers overlaid on a leopard print background.
You can see Liquido’s full selection of printed crops and printed leggings on their website.
My current print favorite is Liquido Active :D.
I wear mine for SUP, and to work (with Everlane silk shirts, brogues/heels and a structured bag) and pretend they are real pants. They are also great for yoga, but not for cycling or sports where your thighs might meet vigorously, or rub against the bike saddle, as slight piling might occur. But overall, the stretch is phenomenal, feels softer than Luon, not sheer, and wicks perspiration really well. The lack of a gusset is ok, doesn’t feel weird. In some prints like Sundance, the VPL doesn’t happen.
But the seams are not double-stiched and in high stretch areas like the butt and the crotch, the seams are like stretched out so much that the white threading is exposed. And I wear a comfortable, not too small, size.
Hi! That’s strange, I’m LLM size 4, and wear Liquidoactive’s P/S. So far, no visible threading in the Jurassic and Sundance print leggings. Which print did you try out?
I am a Lululemon s6 and I wear sM for Liquidoactive. I practice yoga. And this is what happens. I have 5 liquidoactive crops and they are all the same. Trying to load the pic.
Ooh that’s not good. Just checked my leggings and the white stitches don’t show when I’m wearing them though. Have you tried returning the pants, or try a different size?
I am a LLL s6 sometime 4, not much booty, narrow hips kind if straight down body shape. A larger size would be too much.
It’s ok , still love the prints. Just a little more careful when I do splits.
:)
Thanks for sharing this, Eve! Weird that this happens to you but not to Jane_Doe. Go figure!
Thanks for the notes! It’s interesting that they’re softer than luon, I feel like it’s hard to get printed fabric (that isn’t cotton) to be super-soft.
i have 2 pairs of the eagle rock werkshop leggings. they are amazing! super compressive, stay in place, great colors. i have the sugar skull remix and palms and always get compliments when i wear them. love love love. and if you sign up for their emails you can get a heads up of when they are being restocked. some of my other new favorite brands are albion fit, sweaty betty, and beyond yoga.
I love the print of eagle rock wekshop leggings but unfortunately the material is hard and not breathable. It is unyielding and cuts into the flesh, somewhat like an umbrella material.
i live in hawaii and don’t find them too hot, but everyone is different.
I love the pharaoh head print, sorry, forgot the exact name :D They have truly stunning designs.
king tut!
That’s awesome! I definitely would like to try a pair. I’m also interested in trying Albion Fit. I’m actually working on a post that includes some of their newest stuff. They’re based in Utah and I’m in Arizona, so they’re almost local for me. :)
Katie, what size do you wear in werkshop leggings? I’m trying to see which size I should order. (for comparison, what are your size in other leggings such as lululemon or yogasmoga?)
Thanks!!
I wear a small in the werkshop leggings. I wear a 4 most times in lululemon and a small in beyond yoga. I don’t have any yogasmoga but I am looking to get a pair! and would probably order a small.
Thanks so much!!
My yogasmogas are the same size as my lululemon leggings.
I love yogasmoga leggings/crops with the aurum helix fabric and would recommend those. The aurum helix fabric (in their run jump n twist crops/leggings) is lighter than their aurum fabric. Living in Southern California, we don’t really need the thicker aurum fabric here :)
Thanks again!
I just ordered a pair of the k-deer capris. I’m curious to try them out!
Sweet! I hope they’re awesome. :)
Thanks for the eye candy. The werkshop ones are crazy. The kale leggings are ridiculous….but I almost want to get them!
I love the kale so much! Wish they weren’t out of stock in xs and s. Hmph.