If These Leggings Had a Higher Waist, It Would Be a Bodysuit
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Athleisure is the best thing to happen to those with chronic pain since… I don’t know… drugs? We get to wear comfy clothes that are easy on our achin’ bods, are ready for any sudden naps that may demand taking, and all while looking pulled together and not like we just put on “day pajamas” (or never changed out of night pajamas in the first place!).
I both suffer from chronic pain and workout at least three times a week, and I’m slowly transforming into a person who just lives in workout clothes. Moving to the PNW, where everyone dresses like they could go for a hike at any moment, has only helped this transition. I’ve tried athletic wear from all over, and I’ve found that Athleta is my favorite. I’ve slowly phased out all my non-Athleta leggings, and now I’ve moved on to workout tops (my fave is the Speedlight Tank).
My favorite legging style is the Elation Tight, and when they came out with an Ultra High Rise version I wasn’t completely convinced. The Elation is already high waisted, do I really need ULTRA high waisted tights? The answer, of course, was yes. I now prefer my pair of black Ultra High Rise Elation Tights to my high-waisted ones. They hit at my natural waist, which is ideal in so many ways. My waist-to-hip ratio is LARGE, and having the waistband of these tights sit at the smallest part of my waist helps them stay up, and provides a streamlined look for whatever shirt I’m wearing. There’s also a little stash pocket in the back, and it’s not only enormous, it’s positioned perfectly so your phone sits in the tiny hollow of your back. It is so comfortable when I first started stashing my phone in that back pocket I kept thinking it had fallen out and gotten lost. I literally could NOT feel it AT ALL.
But then. BUT THEN. Athleta, already the store I funnel all my money into, came out with a line of leopard print gear. AND the leggings they made in leopard print? The Ultra High Rise Elation tight. They made TWO colors too, Spring Night, a purple-y grey, and Arbor Olive, a greenish brown. Leopard print is my favorite color, I’ve already committed myself to the ultra high rise lifestyle, and I bought both pairs. There’s also a GREAT sweatshirt in the Spring Night Leopard and I got that too. When I was trying all this on in the store, I put on the matching sweatshirt and leggings and announced to my mom, who I was shopping with, “Ok I look like I’m wearing children’s pajamas.” and everyone in the nearby dressing rooms popped their heads out to see. I came out and did a little dance and announced I was getting both, but would probably not wear them together. BUT WHO KNOWS! THIS IS MY LIFE NOW.
The slippers only add to the kids’ pajamas look.
This is not at all sponsored by Athleta, but oh man, I would take that sponsorship in a second. If you have always thought workout clothes were just NOT designed for a body like yours, Athleta might be your holy grail store too. They also, smartly, put my beloved leopard ultra high rise leggings out in plus sizes, so even more people can experience this joy.
