How to Tell If Leggings Are Actually Squat-Proof

"Squat-proof" is written on almost every pair of leggings sold, and it is not a regulated term. Nobody checks it. So it is worth knowing how to test it yourself, and what actually causes leggings to go sheer in the first place.

The test, in ten seconds

Put them on. Stand in front of a mirror in bright light — daylight is better than a bathroom bulb. Squat down as low as you go, and look. Then have a look at the back too, or take a photo.

If the fabric lightens noticeably or you can see skin tone through it, they are not squat-proof, whatever the label said. Do this before you cut the tags off.

What actually makes leggings go sheer

Fabric weight. This is the main one. Weight is measured in GSM — grams per square metre. Under about 240 gsm and most leggings will thin out under stretch. Around 260 to 300 gsm is where good leggings sit. Above 320 and they start to feel hot and stiff, which matters a lot in this climate.

The fibre. Nylon-based fabric holds up far better than polyester. Polyester leggings tend to feel plasticky, pill sooner, and go transparent faster. If a listing does not say what the fabric is made of, that is usually because it is not worth saying.

Colour. Light colours, greys and anything pastel are far more likely to go sheer than black. A brand can honestly call their black leggings squat-proof and have the same style in beige be see-through. Judge each colour separately.

Size. Leggings a size too small are stretched further and thin out more. Going down a size for a tighter fit works against you here.

Buying online, where you cannot squat-test

• Look for a stated GSM or fabric composition. A brand that publishes it has usually thought about it.
• Look for nylon or polyamide in the composition, ideally 70 to 80 percent with the rest elastane.
• Check whether there is a gusset. A diamond or triangular panel in the crotch is a sign of a properly patterned legging, not a cheap one.
• Read reviews for the specific colour you want, not the style overall.
• Check the returns policy before ordering, so you can send them back if the squat test fails.

The waistband matters too

A legging that rolls down at the waist is as annoying as one that goes sheer. Look for a high rise — roughly 28 to 32 cm — with a wide, dense waistband and no drawstring. Height alone is not enough; a tall but flimsy waistband will still fold over.

Making them last

Cold wash, inside out, no fabric softener, and never tumble dry. Fabric softener coats the fibres and ruins the sweat-wicking; heat destroys the elastane that gives leggings their recovery. Do those two things and a good pair holds its shape for years rather than months.

You can browse our leggings collection here, or see the pairs that come as colour-matched sets with a bra in the same fabric.