Spanx Faux Leather Leggings Review: Are They Really Worth the Hype?

As a self-professed leggings addict with more pairs in my closet than I can count, I‘m always on the hunt for that perfect pair that is flattering, comfortable, and can take me from day to night. One style that has garnered a cult following in recent years is the faux leather legging – and no brand is more synonymous with this trend than Spanx.

I finally took the plunge and ordered a pair of the much-buzzed-about Spanx Faux Leather Leggings to see if they lived up to the hype. After wearing them in various scenarios over the past few weeks, I‘m ready to give you my honest thoughts. In this comprehensive Spanx Faux Leather Leggings review, I‘ll cover everything you need to know, including material and design, fit and performance, styling ideas, and how they compare to other popular faux leather leggings on the market. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if they‘re worth the splurge. Let‘s dive in!

Overview of Spanx Faux Leather Leggings

First, let‘s go over the key details of these leggings. The Spanx Faux Leather Leggings have a high-waisted design with a power waistband that provides tummy shaping and a center-free seam to prevent camel toe (no one wants that!). The exterior is made of stretchy nylon and spandex coated with polyurethane for that shiny leather look, while the interior features a soft lining made of polyester and spandex for comfort.

One of the biggest selling points is that these leggings come in regular, petite, and tall inseams to fit a variety of heights. Regular is recommended if you are between 5‘4" and 5‘8", Petite if you‘re under 5‘4", and Tall if you‘re 5‘9" or taller. They also come in an inclusive size range from XS-3X.

Some other key features:

• Contoured waistband for shaping through the midsection
• Maintains opaque coverage, even when stretched
• Four-way stretch fabric allows full range of motion
• Designed to lift and define your rear view

Fit, Comfort and Performance Review

I ordered my usual size based on the size chart and can confirm these run true to size. If you‘re between sizes, I‘d recommend sizing up for a little more breathing room. When I first shimmed into them, I was impressed by how smoothing and sculpting they felt through my midsection and rear. The high waist came up to about my belly button and laid flat without digging in or creating bulges.

The material definitely feels thicker, more substantial, and less flimsy than most leggings, almost like a thin pair of pants. I didn‘t find them to be quite as buttery soft as some of my Lululemon or Athleta leggings, but they were still comfortable enough to wear all day. The exterior coating also didn‘t feel sticky or plasticky against my skin.

In terms of performance, these scored high marks. The four-way stretch allowed me to move easily, whether I was rushing to catch the subway or dancing with friends on a night out. I wore them to run errands on a chilly fall day and found them to be fairly warm without causing me to overheat when I popped into stores. I also didn‘t experience any awkward bunching or wrinkling throughout the day. After about 8 hours of wear, they maintained their sleek, shapely fit without bagging out at the knees or seat.

One thing to note: because of the leather-like coating, you do hear a slight swishing noise as you walk, similar to a real leather pant. It wasn‘t overly loud or bothersome to me, but something to be aware of if you‘re looking for a silent legging. I was also happy to report that after a full day of wear, there was no waistband rolldown or sliding, a pet peeve of mine with many high-waisted styles.

Styling Spanx Faux Leather Leggings

Part of the reason these leggings have developed such a devoted following is their versatility. You can easily dress them up or down depending on the occasion. For a casual weekend look, I paired mine with white sneakers, a gray slouchy sweater, and a denim jacket. The combination felt effortlessly cool and perfect for grabbing coffee or browsing a bookstore.

For a night out, swap the sneakers for black heeled booties, the sweater for a silky camisole, and add a boyfriend blazer or moto jacket for some polish. Suddenly, you have an edgy, evening-ready look that feels right on trend. I even wore them to the office on a casual Friday with a long camel-colored sweater, knee-high boots, and some layered gold necklaces. I got several compliments and felt both comfortable and put-together.

Some other styling ideas:

• Pair with a chunky turtleneck sweater in a bright color and white fashion sneakers
• Wear under an oversize sweatshirt with combat boots for an effortless athleisure vibe
• Tuck in a button-up blouse and add heels and statement earrings for a sleek work look
• Layer under a sweater dress with knee-high boots in the fall/winter

The options are truly endless – these have become one of my go-to basics that make me feel immediately more stylish with very minimal effort.

How They Compare to Other Faux Leather Leggings

Of course, Spanx is not the only brand making faux leather leggings these days. Some other popular alternatives at various price points include Commando, Zella, ASTR the Label, and Blank NYC. So how do the Spanx version compare?

Commando is probably Spanx‘s closest competition in terms of quality, price, and cult status. I actually own a pair of Commando faux leather leggings too and find them to be very similar in terms of material, opacity, and fit. The main difference is that Commando only offers their faux leather style in two lengths (full and crop) vs. Spanx‘s three inseams. Commando also has a wider size range, going up to 3X.

Zella is a great alternative at a slightly lower price point (around $70 vs. Spanx‘s $98). I‘d say the material on the Zella pair feels a little thinner and less luxe, but if you‘re looking for something more casual or to wear primarily for athleisure, they‘re a solid choice. They also feature a side pocket which the Spanx version lacks.

ASTR and Blank NYC are two more fashion-forward options with moto seaming and zipper details for some added edge. Of the two, I prefer Blank NYC‘s material and fit, but ASTR offers a less expensive faux suede version that is absolutely gorgeous for fall and winter.

What Customers Are Saying

Since these leggings have been around for years, there is no shortage of online customer reviews. The general consensus? They‘re worth the hype – and the price tag. On the Spanx website, the faux leather leggings have over 3,400 reviews and an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Many reviewers echo my sentiment that they‘re "super versatile, extremely flattering, and comfortable enough to wear all day."

Nordstrom shoppers give them a similar 4.5-star average, with one reviewer raving "they‘re thick and NOT see-through, which is amazing! They also contour perfectly." The only consistent complaint seems to be that they can be a bit long on petite frames, but since Spanx now offers a petite inseam, that issue seems to be resolved for the most part.

One thing many customers agree on is that you need to hang dry these to maintain the sheen and shape. Several reviews noticed pilling or fading when they put them in the dryer, so resist the temptation and let them air dry! I personally washed mine in a delicate bag on the gentle cycle and laid them flat to dry and had no issues.

Are Spanx Faux Leather Leggings Worth It?

So, the million dollar question: are the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings worth their $98 price tag? Ultimately, only you can decide if the cost makes sense for your budget and wardrobe. But after wearing them regularly for a few weeks, I personally think they‘re a fantastic splurge that you‘ll reach for again and again.

The fit and quality are significantly better than many lower priced faux leather leggings I‘ve tried, they hold their shape beautifully, and they‘re comfortable enough for all-day wear. I‘ve found them to be incredibly easy to style for everything from dates to casual Fridays at the office to travel. If you‘re someone who loves the edgy look of leather trousers but wants something more comfortable and versatile, I highly recommend giving these a try. I‘ve already decided that a second black pair and the new wine color are going on my Christmas wish list this year!

The Bottom Line

Whether you‘re a true fashionista looking for that perfect leather-like pant, a busy mom wanting something you can chase toddlers in and still feel chic, or just trying to upgrade your basics, the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings are a worthy addition to your closet. Dress them up, dress them down, layer them under dresses and jackets – there are countless ways to make the cost per wear worth the initial investment. And with the wide range of sizes and inseams, different body types can find their ideal fit.

In terms of cons, I would say the fairly high price, the swishy noise when walking, and the need to line dry are my only complaints, but for me, the pros of the outstanding fit, leg-lengthening high rise, shaping support, and unbeatable versatility outweigh any negatives. These have the Lyssé Leggings seal of approval as a year-round wardrobe staple that is absolutely worth the hype!

Shop Spanx Faux Leather Leggings

Wondering where you can snag a pair for yourself? Spanx.com is the best place to find the widest variety of sizes and inseams, but you can also scoop them up at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Amazon. They occasionally go on sale during events like the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, but they also sell out quickly, so my best advice is if you see your size, snatch them up ASAP!

What are your thoughts on the faux leather legging trend? Have you tried Spanx‘s version? Let me know in the comments below and feel free to ask any other questions – I‘m happy to help if I can! Thanks for reading and happy shopping.