Werkshop is still a small activewear brand, but they’ve quickly gained popularity as a trusted brand for printed leggings. Their most recent release is Under the Sea, a collection of quite a few different marine-themed prints ranging from mermaid scales to angler fish. I love a lot of the collection, but for starters, I got two styles: sharks and tentacles.
Werkshop offers outstanding fit and fabric quality in the world of workout leggings. The fabric is a lightweight, slick-faced fabric that in my experience performs extremely well. It has plenty of stretch to allow you to comfortably move, but also plenty of support for high-intensity workouts.
Also, the print quality of the fabric is excellent. Any time I get a new pair, I am always impressed by the vibrancy and clarity of the prints. Unlike many printed leggings out there, Werkshop prints do not fade/white out across the bum or the knee when you bend. Related to that, both sharks and tentacles are fully opaque for me.
These two new pairs fit the same as my other Werkshops. In general, Werkshop runs a bit small. I’m normally a 2 in lululemon or an XXS/XS in other brands, and the XS in Werkshop is a great fit for me. If you like a lot of compression and are ok with a tight fit, you can wiggle your way into your normal size. If in between sizes, I suggest going up.
Fresh out of the package, Werkshops are very tight. I generally have to shimmy into them the first couple of times I wear them. In fact, you’ll notice in some of my pics of these pairs, there’s a bit of pulling on the front because I haven’t quite broken these in just yet. They relax just a little bit after the first few wears. After that initial relaxation, in my experience they don’t continue to loosen up.
I’m up to 6 Werkshops now and I don’t have complaints about any of them. To anyone who loves fun, interesting (crazy?) prints, Werkshop is still one of my top recommendations.
The next highest on my list from the Under the Sea collection is angler. It was out of stock for a little while but was recently restocked. But, is it too similar to tentacles? Hmmm…
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Sharks – crops | Sharks – full length
Oh how timely! I’ve been excited about the Under The Sea collection since it came out and have been eying those tentacle crops. Since a portion of the proceeds go to ocean preservation I kinda have to buy them. It’s for charity and the right thing to do. :0
I bought tentacles too. I had my husband choose between tentacles and angler because I couldn’t decide. He said angler was scary not in a good way. I kind of agree with him about the scary part, but I think they are scary in an awesome way. It makes me happy to think of walking into daycare with angler fish on my bum to drop off my son. Anyways, as to your question, I feel that they are SIGNIFICANTLY different than tentacles and that you (and I) should probably own both.
I also bought purple scales because… they too… are awesome.
Werkshop is so dang super duper. I can’t help myself.
I love those tentacle tights! I’m too scared to wear flashy prints, but I do admire Werkshop’s stuff and the tentacles are tempting. Not only are Werkship’s prints gorgeous, but it appears they put some thought into the placement and overall look of the tights, something most brands don’t bother with.
Yes, so true!! They have an attention to detail that I think is really lacking in many other brands.
OMG YOU NEEEEEED the Anglers!! I have them and LOVE them!! They look so great with all shades of pink. I love ALL my Werkshop crops, and have the same experience as you – ultra compressive, but so thin that they almost “mold” to your body. Best crops ever. Wish they did weekly product drops! I feel totally badass when I pull them on (especially my Daggers, Dragons, Anglers and Dark Sugars) (actually, I feel quite “cute” with the Clownfish ones and the “astropants” – the Ghosts & Stars version of their Galaxy print – can’t remember their name) – increasingly, I reach for my Werkshops more than any of my other pants. I am viewing your Tentacles with some envy right now ;) They’re a totally different shade and look from the Anglers, so yes, my vote is that you NEED the Anglers too (and so does Carrie below LOL)!
I’m also eyeing the angler ones myself. But I think my next purchase will be the purple scales… I have to limit myself to one pair a month!
I have seriously got to get myself some of those werkshop crops… Thanks for the excellent reviews!
I get the most compliments on my dragon and dove werkshop crops. I also love them. Looking forward to getting more. Anyone tried full length werkshop pants?
I haven’t tried the full length but I know they do have a different gusset–you can see it in some of the pics. It’s similar to K-Deers in that it goes further down the inside of the thigh.
I was so eager to try Werkshop and waited patiently for a re-release of New Zealand and stained glass (probably a year ago). I agree the fabric is really nice, but there was something about the fit in the top… First off, I definitely got a muffin top. I’m not bone thin, but an athletic size 6 in lulu bottoms, a S in most other brands. I got these in a M. I felt like the front rise was higher than the back rise. I also felt the need to adjust them while teaching or practicing, which is annoying. I don’t know if I should try a L or give up. I love the new pant option, and the tentacles are so cool. Hm…
i don’t find muffin top to be a problem, but i feel you on the rest. they are not made for people with butts! though i definitely have a butt, it isn’t pronounced enough that pull-down in the back is a consistent problem for me. i think it relates to the combination of werkshop’s compression fabric with the mid-rise. that said, i don’t feel that i could go up a size. if you find that the larger size actually resolves these fit issues, let us know please!
Well, at the moment, I happen to be in a pregnant state, so I feel like I have to suspend my investigation into solutions until this nugget comes out ;) What’s funny is that I have NO butt. I’m a complete boy build in almost every sense. That’s why I was shocked with the lower back. I usually have bikini bottoms that pull up to my waist in back, it’s that flat. Anyway, I’d love to see werkshop make a high option with a double-folded band similar to K-Deer of lulu’s high rise. I emailed them about my idea (as well as adding full length to the collection, which eventually happened) so maybe it’s on the radar at least. I think this fabric would stay put really well in this folded waistband style.
Behind on my replies here but I’m bummed to hear that they weren’t great on you. :( I usually try a brand twice (sometimes 3 times!) before I totally give up on them, but that’s just me. :)
Oh, I’m the same. Once this baby is out, I’ll for sure be back to try the full length. The prints and material are just too good to totally give up on. Have you tried Niyamasol yet? I feel like it’s an improved Teeki. Worth checking out.
No I haven’t! A blogger I follow just posted an outfit with their leggings this week, but that was the first I’d heard of them! They have some cute prints. Thanks for the tip! :)
Stupidly waited ONE day (a few wks back) to order the tentacles in the long length – and then my (assumed size, M???) is/has been out of stock. Preferred those over the capris due to wanting the “full print”.
Since then have been trying to convince myself that the capris will be good enough and your review certainly is persuasive ;)
However, Jessica’s comments below are adding to my hesitation: muffin top & slippage (am a size 6 in LLL) and having spent yesterday pulling up my size M K-Deer capris, I am losing patience in having one too many leggings that require hiking up.
Anyone else having this annoyance? Sadly, I’m not athletic nor lean but not “chunky” so I *think* I’m in the correct size. Truth be told, I’m wearing leggings casually (and for Pilates & PT). Brand suggestions much appreciated!
In the meantime….I might bite on those tentacles after all.
OH! And the angler print: TOTALLY DIFFERENT. You need those :P
Yep, being an enabler. Now I’m eying those too…….hmmm….
I think the M would definitely be your size. They are tighter than a K-Deer M. And the elastic band and stitching at the top make them grip. But muffin top is definitely an issue for me. I’m pretty squishy in that area though, so it’s kinda natural. Have you tried Zella? Their space dyes have a great feel, though some prints less so. I also used to love Athleta. I would order everything in tall size to get the slightly higher rise and longer length (in capris). Both Zella and Athleta have the advantage of wonderful customer service, though the prints are less exciting than werkshop or teeki for sure. Oh, for casual wear, you might really like teeki. It feels super thin, but is opaque and with unique prints. As a lulu 6, you could go S (no hips or butt) or M (curvier build) in their stuff. I have a few pairs that I wear regularly. The rise is just a bit lower, and the band less compressive than I’d prefer.
Thank you for the Workshop feedback, other brand recommendations and sizing!
Will check them out :)
Hi Sara. I own 2 werkshop capris Galaxy and Catronaught and I am also a size 6 in lulu and I wear a medium and I’m an athletic build not super skinny. They do roll on me and I find myself adjusting them during barre class but while jogging they hold up better probably because I’m not moving all that much from a sit down to standing position. Im just jogging like a hamster in a wheel. I don’t feel muffin top though because these suckers are high blood pressure cuff compressive and they hold everything in. The muffin top thing happens when they roll and this might be a weird thing to say but when I start building up a sweat it almost acts like glue and makes my leggings stay in place even more. Suzanne is so spot on about the quality of the print on these which is why I want to buy more. No “sheergate” or compromise of graphics and I just love the wonky different prints.
Thank you for the feedback – and the note on “sweat glue” ;)
As an ex-textile designer, the Workshop quality looks amazing. My fear is that they will be “too tight” i.e.: uncomfortable.
But going to take the plunge. No pun :P