An Evaluation of Leggings Selected by Athleisure Consumers

The purpose of this research was to identify the features of leggings that consumers of athleisure desire and the performance problems they encounter. A non-probability sample (n=133) of college students who identified as female and wore leggings for non-athletic purposes was surveyed. A questionnaire was designed based upon examination of online product reviews and current complaints with legging products. The results of the survey were used to design a laboratory evaluation. Laboratory samples and methods were chosen to assess the performance qualities desired by the surveyed consumers when purchasing leggings and the problems encountered when wearing leggings. Three brands were identified by the survey as regularly consumed and included in the laboratory study. All laboratory samples were a nylon and spandex blend fabric. Garments were laundered and evaluated after one, five, ten, and twenty washes. All evaluations were conducted in a Textile Testing Laboratory according to AATCC and ASTM standard test methods. Survey results identified the following as desirable features: comfort fabric, which is not see-through, low pilling propensity, and fabrics which do not stretch out easily. Likewise, see-through fabric, pilling, stretched out fabric, and worn-down fabric were each identified as a frequently encountered problem. The laboratory evaluation determined that the leggings demonstrated minimal degradation after twenty laundering cycles. Statistically significant differences were found between legging brands for fabric specifications, bursting strength, pilling, and fabric stretch.

Keywords: Leather; Faux leather; Leather alternatives; Eco-friendly faux leather; Vegan leather; Education

Abbreviations: ASTM: Society for Testing and Materials; AATCC: American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists