The 15 best faux leather leggings for every budget and body type

Side-by-side collage: On the left, the author dressed up the Bagatelle.nyc high-rise faux leather leggings up with a SHEIN one-shoulder sweater and Island to East Side cutch. On the right, she models the Wilfred Free Daria Pant down with a denim jacket, beanie, and Puma platform sneakers.
Here, I dressed up the Bagatelle.nyc high-rise faux leather leggings up with a SHEIN one-shoulder sweater and Island to East Side clutch, and the Wilfred Free Daria Pant down with a denim jacket, beanie, and Puma platform sneakers. Rebecca Strong/Insider

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After becoming accustomed to working from home in loungewear, I'm less inclined to wear "hard pants" more than I have to. That said, when I still want to look put-together, the best faux leather leggings are the perfect compromise between comfort and style.

Real leather can cost $500 and up, which isn't exactly within my budget. That's where vegan leather leggings come in: many look and feel just like the real thing — but without the jaw-dropping price tag. 

Whether you're looking for a timeless black skinny pair of leggings with pockets or a more fashion-forward flared style in a fun hue, here are some of our favorite faux leather leggings that can take you from casual Friday at the office to cocktails with a date.

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Best overall: Bagatelle.nyc High-Rise Faux Leather Leggings

The author models Bagatelle.nyc high-rise faux leather leggings up with a SHEIN one-shoulder sweater the author wears Island to East Side clutch as one of the best faux leather leggings.
Rebecca Strong/Insider

If I had to live in one pair of faux leather leggings for the rest of my life, this would be it. With ample stretch, they're a cinch to slip on and take off. Not only that, but the wide waistband boasts the perfect level of compression, meaning they're flattering without being uncomfortable. 

Due to the high waist, I can pair them with cropped sweaters and tops, and the 26-inch inseam hits at just the right spot on my ankles — which is a rare find for my height (I'm 5'4"). I can dress them up with an off-the-shoulder bodysuit and suede over-the-knee boots, or dress them down with white platform sneakers and a denim jacket

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Best budget: Rock Music Black Vegan Leather Leggings

Person modeling a pair of Lulus Rock Music Black Vegan Leather Leggings with white sneakers, grey knit sweater and black handbag.
Lulus

This high-waisted skinny pair is like the little black dress of leggings — it'll never go out of style. They're also versatile enough to pair with concert tees, cozy sweaters, and chic silky blouses alike.

These are meant to fit like a second skin, so they may take a little extra effort to get them on, but they're well worth the wiggle. Plus, since they're unlined and ultra-lightweight, they're ideal for warmer spring and summer days.

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Best luxury: Paige Sheena Vegan Leather Legging

A model wears pair of Paige Sheena Vegan Leather Leggings.
Revolve

These leggings may come with a slightly higher price tag, but there's a justification: thanks to the pebbled, buttery soft texture, they undoubtedly look the most like real leather. 

The 10.5-inch rise hits right at my natural waist, and 6% spandex offers plenty of stretch to move around freely. I also like the raw hem at the ankles, which lends some subtle edge to this pair. Best of all, they're machine washable.

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Best high rise: Carbon38 Takara Shine Legging

A person wearing the Carbon38 Takara Shine Legging.
Carbon38

The women-founded brand Carbon38 is home to a style-focused collection of elevated activewear. Their glossy Takara Shine leggings are a best selling item, especially in the high-rise full length version.

The wide no-roll waistband is designed to stretch and support you in medium-impact workouts, though it's also a great feature for styling with cropped blouses if you decide to dress them up.

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Best ⅞ length: Commando 7/8 Faux Leather Legging

A model wears Commando 7/8 Faux Leather Leggings.
Commando

The ⅞ length is designed to fall right above your ankles, showing off just a hint of skin. That makes them ideal for accommodating shorter frames — and showing off your dress shoes.

With 28% elastane in the waistband, this pair features a higher amount of stretch, which not only makes them incredibly comfortable but can also come in handy when you're dancing the night away. These leggings also feature Commando's signature subtle compression for some smoothing and shaping perks.

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Best patent leather: Spanx Faux Patent Leather Leggings

A person wearing the Spanx Faux Patent Leather Leggings.
Spanx

These high-shine faux leather leggings have a super sleek, Catwoman-esque look about them. One of the best features is the lack of center seam, which prevents any unsightly outlines up front. 

This sleek patent pair has a hidden smoothing high-rise waistband, which streamlines the silhouette from tip to toe. If you notice some squeaking between the inner thighs upon first wear, try adding a couple drops of baby oil.

Read about more of their styles we've tested in our full Spanx leggings review.

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Best size inclusive: Mango Leather-effect Leggings

A person wearing the Mango Leather-effect Leggings.
Mango

This pair of high-rise faux leather leggings run large, so they're a great choice for those looking for ample room in the waistband. They have a cropped hemline that splits with a zipper closure, so you can layer them over ankle boots and add some dimension to your work outfit.

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Best petite: Topshop Petite Leather Look Legging

A person sitting on a white box while modeling a pair of Topshop Petite Leather Look Leggings.
ASOS

The shorter length of these leggings is ideal for anyone 5'4" or under. And unlike many other high-waisted pairs, they won't roll down or bunch around your stomach.

Try pairing these with Chelsea boots and a flannel button-down for casual hangouts, or a tunic sweater and ankle boots for dinners out.

Reviewers agree these do run a teeny bit small, so if you're in between sizes, opt for the larger one.

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Best tall: Wilfred Free Daria Pant

A person wears the Wilfred Free Daria Pant down with a denim jacket, beanie, and Puma platform sneakers.
Rebecca Strong/Insider

If you're 5'7" and above, you'll appreciate the extra length on the tall version of these machine-washable faux leather leggings (which also come in short and regular sizes). One reason they stand out is that they come in a range of tan, taupe, and brown shades, meaning you're sure to find one that complements your skin tone.

You might notice they have slightly less give when you first put them on, but rest assured that they mold to your body and stretch out a bit with just a few wears. The high rise lends a nice smoothing effect, as does the wide waistband, which offers just enough compression to hold you in.

Best stretch: Fanka Reversible Body Sculpt Faux Leather Leggings

A person wearing the Fanka Reversible Body Sculpt Faux Leather Leggings.
Fanka

You may have come across Fanka leggings on TikTok, as they've garnered lots of attention for their bum-lifting effect. We tested their most popular style, and they indeed have an impressive sculpting effect. This pair has a high crossover waistband that offers even compression all the way around, and has a 3D printed pattern on one side with a leather effect sheen on the other.

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Best for cold weather: Calzedonia Thermal Leather Effect Leggings

A person modeling the Calzedonia Thermal Leather Effect Leggings with a pair of black heels.
Calzedonia

Looking for a pair of faux leather leggings to sport around the ski lodge, at the skating rink, or simply while running some errands in the wintertime? These mid-rise leggings will keep you warm even in frigid temps, thanks to the thick and cozy thermal lining. As an added bonus, the lining feels super soft against your skin.

They also come in two hard-to-find colors that are easy to dress up: crisp white and a bold, bright red. Pair them with a pullover sweater and loafers when you want to look polished or, with lace-up booties and a cropped hoodie for a laid-back look.

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Best on Amazon: Colorfulkoala High Waisted Matte Faux Leather Leggings

A person wearing the Colorfulkoala High Waisted Matte Faux Leather Leggings.
Amazon

Our favorite dupe for Lululemon leggings can be found right on Amazon, and won't cost you more than $30. This matte leather-effect pair by Colorfulkoala has received an influx of glowing reviews, with especially high praises for their soft, stretchy texture and muted shine. 

Read more in our full Colorfulkoala leggings review.

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Best flared: Spanx Leather-Like Flare Pant

A person modeling a pair of Spanx Leather-Like Flare Pants with a white sweater.
Spanx

In case you missed it, flared leggings are back in a big way — and this on-trend pair is equally suitable for casual and dressy occasions.  It's also worth noting that they're available in petite, regular, and tall lengths — and go up to size 3X.

Not only do they look remarkably like real leather, but the flexible fabric moves with you, while the hidden core shaping technology lifts, sculpts, and smooths.

While this pair features a pull-on design with no button or zipper, the artfully placed seams and slit front and back pockets create the look of real dress pants.

Read about more styles we've tested in our Spanx faux leather leggings review

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Best maternity: SHEIN Maternity Adjustable Waist PU Leggings

A pregnant person models a pair of the SHEIN Maternity Adjustable Waist PU Leggings.
SHEIN

Finding cute maternity clothes is no easy feat. But according to a very pregnant friend of mine, you can wear these high-waisted leggings from the moment your bump starts appearing all the way up to nine months. That's because not only are they constructed with a stretchy front panel that can accommodate your growing belly, but they also contain an adjustable internal button that you can loosen or tighten as needed.

It's not just the waistband that's stretchy, either: there's a hint of elastane throughout to ensure they're not the slightest bit restricting. Another plus? Vertical seams down the front help to visually elongate the legs.

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Best with pockets: Athleta Delancey Gleam Tight

A person wearing the Athleta Delancey Gleam Tight.
Athleta

Athleta has some of the most comfortable leggings we've tested, with fabric that provides both full coverage and insulation. The Delancey leggings feature two back pockets, and have a comfortable stretchy quality that make them perfect for long commutes. The Gleam finish gives them a subtle edge over your average pair of work pants.

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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.

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