Spanx Faux Leather Leggings review—Are they worth the splurge?

Our Spanx Faux Leather Leggings review outlines why these might just be the fanciest pair of leggings we’ve ever got our mitts on. This stylish pair of leggings will take you from day to night, but our tester has put them through their paces with real-life testing to give you all the information you need so you can buy with confidence.

The best leggings are comfortable, flattering, and versatile. The good news is that the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings are all of these things, as well as some of the best shapewear you can buy too. Find out how easy they are to slip into, how they look, and, most importantly, whether they’re worth spending your money on.

Spanx was literally a game-changer. When the brand launched it took the shapewear industry by storm with its perfectly sculpting, slimming pieces. Since then it's added more fashion-forward items to its range, including these faux-leather leggings. A building block for many capsule wardrobes, they can take your look from day to evening with ease. The ultra-skinny silhouette has hidden power mesh to lift and support, while a flattering high-rise elasticated waistline with a built-in, shaping waistband smoothes in all the right places.

What do the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings look like on?

I love the idea of being the sort of person who can look effortlessly chic in a pair of leather leggings. But for me, the reality has always been a little disappointing. Think baggy fabric around the knees, sweaty thighs, squeaky shuffles, and a fit so tight that putting them on quickly becomes a two-person job.

Safe to say, I was excited to see if Spanx Faux Leather Leggings could be the answer to my sartorial prayers—the missing piece in my wardrobe. The result is pleasing: once on, they’re high-waisted and form-fitting, and they’re surprisingly soft and satisfyingly slinky. They don't bag or gape. They look, dare we say it, good. Visually I'm sold.

How does the fabric wear on the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings?

On further inspection, it appears the Spanx Faux Leather leggings are something of a Trojan horse. Instead of being rigid and structured like your average pair of pleather leggings, they’re actually activewear leggings topped with a high-shine coating.

The soft nylon and elastane blend not only feels comfortably cool and against your skin (goodbye, sweaty legs!), but stretches as you do for full flexibility of movement. 

That’s not to say wiggling them into them is without its challenges. It took a little pulling, squeezing and readjusting to get them on comfortably, but that’s down to the body-hugging fit.

What great design details do they have?

Taking everything they know about shapewear and applying it to clothing, it’s the little design details that make all the difference to the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings.

Worried about the dreaded camel toe? These leggings have been crafted without a center seam across the front to create a smooth line and niggle-free fit. They do, however, have a seam at the back to sculpt and lift your bum. 

Their ‘contoured Power Waistband’ works just like control pants to hold and hone your stomach, giving you the confidence you need to team your leggings with shorter tops. 

It also helps keep the leggings in place, so you don’t have to fret about them inching down during the day or slipping and sliding when you bend over.

How easy are they to wear?

Good news: the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings breezed through the VPL test, with a pair of black, seam-free briefs barely visible beneath. This not only puts any fears of a wardrobe malfunction aside, and opens them up to be worn with a wider range of pieces. 

Not sure what to wear with leggings? A comfortable and luxe-looking alternative to your trusty jeans, wear your Spanx Faux Leather Leggings for daytime with an oversized jumper (they'll look particularly fabulous with one of the best cashmere sweaters). Not sure what the best shoes to wear with leggings are? Try a pair of on-trend biker boots to lean into the tougher look. Swap for a crisp white shirt, heels, and a slick of red lipstick for an effortlessly chic evening look. 

Are Spanx Faux Leather Leggings true to size?

There’s no denying the fit of these leggings is tight, but not uncomfortably so. The best thing to liken them to is a pair of Spanx control shorts, holding your stomach, bum and legs firmly for a really flattering finish. I found mine comfy enough to wear all day long and was far from keen to take them off. 

The sizing is true, but some find that they come up a little small, but the snug fit stopped mine from rolling down or wrinkling at the knees. It’s worth remembering, too, that all elastane-blend clothing will give and stretch over time, so the tighter they are to begin with, the longer you’ll be able to wear and enjoy them. 

Spanx offers three leg lengths, so you can choose between petite, regular and tall inseams. (Not sure what an inseam is? It’s a tailoring term that refers to the distance between the crotch of your leggings or trousers and the opening at the ankle). They recommend anyone 5ft 4in or under opts for petite and anyone over 5ft 9in tries tall. If you’re in between, regular should be the right fit for you. 

What we didn't like about the Spanx Faux Leather Leggings

Not much! I wish they had a pocket, but appreciate that might compromise the lovely silhouette. And I'd like them to be cheaper, but the quality is evident and they are worth the price tag.

Spanx Faux Leather Leggings review verdict

There are a lot of dupes on the market that cost a fraction of this pair. But after wearing them for several days, I think they offer good value. They're a practical alternative to actual leather pants that are stylish, stretchy, and comfortable. In them I felt cool and chic, and they're weren't restrictive. They offered a good amount of compression and the smooth centre panel meant I wasn't worried about how they looked at any point. They've got thousands of 4.5 star rating reviews online and I understand why.