Werkshop is a relatively new, smaller brand that’s been on my radar for a while. Their creatively printed cropped leggings have earned them a burgeoning fanbase, so I’m excited I finally got a chance to try out a pair of their famed crops.
Disclosure: these crops were complimentary from the lovely people at Werkshop for the purposes of review. The opinions and experiences in this post are my own.
One of Werkshop’s most recent release is the Fantasy capsule, which includes dove, dragon, and dagger. I certainly have my fantasy nerd tendencies, so I immediately fell in love with this theme. I’d been waiting for a Werkshop print that really spoke to me, and this collection was definitely it. I especially like that the dove print is neutral, which means I can pair it with just about any solid top, and not feel like I’ve gone overboard.
Werkshop’s leggings are created from an Italian compression fabric, made of 70% polyester and 30% elastane. This fabric is definitely very compressive. They’re on the thicker side, so don’t expect something especially lightweight.
The fabric is opaque in a stand, squat, bend, etc. It has a slick face with a synthetic feel, not cottony though not stiff or scratchy either. It holds everything in place firmly. I also noticed, unlike a lot of polyester prints, the fabric does not fade to white when stretched, even though the inside is lined with white. The print is vibrant on the fabric, and I noticed that only when I pulled on it vertically with my hands did I see any white coming through (which isn’t really something that happens when they’re worn). Most prints “grin” white when they’re strained in the horizontal direction, especially in the hip/butt and knee areas, which is usually noticeable when worn. No such issues with these! So, lots of bonus points for the great print quality.
The website warns that the compression fabric runs a bit small, and small they are. The XS feels like it fits similar to my other tights in XXS/lululemon 2, and they still were pretty compressive. Definitely think about sizing up, especially if you’re on the bigger end of your size and/or if you’re not keen on a compressive fit. Check their size chart for more guidance–it was accurate for me. The length is great, too, just a couple inches above the ankle, and no gaping at the hem. If length is something you’re worried about, the inseam does get longer as you go up in size, according to their size chart.
I did a couple workouts in these bad boys, and the fit was great for running and squatting, no tugging required. I probably got more comments on these than anything else I’ve worn in recent memory. They’re pretty hard to miss!
When and where to get Werkshop
Werkshop’s growing popularity means a lot of their new releases and popular styles sell out. This was definitely the case for the Fantasy capsule when they were first uploaded. There are only a couple of sizes available. Luckily, Werkshop is restocking tomorrow (Friday) at 9am PST, and that will include restocks of all 3 fantasy styles! Be sure to check the site tomorrow if you want a piece of the Fantasy goodness. You can find the restock here, and specifically dove here, as featured in this post. Werkshop sends out restock info via their email list, which you can sign up for on their site. I’m really pleased with these tights so far, and I’m wondering if maybe some dragons might need to make their way to my dresser drawer next…
I love Werkshop! I found out about the Broken print thanks to Agent Athletica; it was out of stock and I wrote them, and yay they restocked! Fit is great, especially if you like compression. And they are beautiful! Though Broken is a lot more subtle than most of the other prints.
Hooray, glad I could help you find them! :) Broken is a beautiful print.
Awesome news about the restock. I have my eye on the dragon print.
Yes definitely! I don’t think that’s too similar to dove to justify me having both…
Great leggings – they look awesome on you!
Thanks! :)
Those are totally badass! It was fun to check out their site. The prints are gorgeous & unique. My favorites are the kale leggings (of course), honeycomb & fire.
Honeycomb is so pretty and unique! It’s one of my favorites too.
i love love love the werkshop leggings – i have palms, sugar remix, and just ordered the dragon ones! I ALWAYS get compliments on them. they are fun, unique, and super functional! <3
Awesome! I think I might cave and order dragon this week too…
Love! You convinced me to order!
Wee!! I hope you love yours. :)
Just received, and they are excellent! Your fit rec was correct, as was your evaluation of opacity and print saturation in bends. I’m pleased with the quality and the artwork. Now if they would add a pocket somewhere, even better!
Yay!!! Glad you like. :) I never noticed they didn’t have a pocket since I don’t use it, but you’re right, I guess they don’t!
Dragons!! Woohooo. Esp as a lover of a very old book series dragonlance I would soo die for anything w Dragon prints which are not tacky .. difficult to find these days. So thank you for these :)
Yeah definitely, where else could you find a cool dragon print?! :)
I ordered 2: broken and owls as those were the top 2 choices of my hubby. His 3rd was dove… But I decided to try the two first and see how I like them. Dove looks great on you!
I love the owls print! Good choice. :)
Also received these Saturday, but unlike my Glyder purchase, these didn’t work. Sadly, I’m returning both. I really wanted to love them… But broken looked more like tie dye (which I don’t like tie dye) and owls white wasn’t white bright–looked a bit stained. Plus, I ordered both smalls but broken was bigger and had a wider band… So like lulu, sizing is inconsistent. Also, owls had weird pinstripes on one leg, like it was printed on the end of a fabric roll. Maybe I was unlucky with both pairs. :o( online returning is such a hassle… I’m sad I have to do it though.
Aww that’s really disappointing. :( Thanks for chiming in–it’s always useful to hear other peoples’ experience and compare. Owls is a brand new print while broken I think is a bit older, so I wonder if they’ve updated the fit since then and that may be why there were some sizing discrepancies? Just a guess, I have no idea. :)
My Dagger crops just arrived and I am in LOVE!! Incredible artwork. Super compressive so I’ll see how they hold up tomorrow morning at xfit – am already plotting my next purchase… You’re such a bad influence!
Awesome!!!! With apologies to your bank account, though. ;)
Hi Suzanne I recently started following you with lulu first and then everything else. I was wondering if you had to choose with the Werkshop leggings which would it be the dove, the dragon or the daggar? I can only buy one. I need the best ones that will make the booty look amazing Ha. I don’t do crossfit.
Hey Cindy!! :) Between those 3 prints, the fit and fabric will all 3 be the same. So, really, it just comes down to the print and which one you think looks the coolest. I have both dragon and dove (no dagger though) and personally, I LOVE dragon. The grey tones are a bit darker than dove, but I don’t mind. Dove also has a slightly more noticeable contrast seam. Really though, you can’t go wrong with any of them. :)