Madewell Just Dropped the Perfect Pair of Leggings

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Madewell Just Dropped the Perfect Pair of Leggings

Update: 1/5/21

Madewell fans, big news: The brand just debuted leggings, and you're going to want to make room for them in your closet, stat. The brand has cemented its status as the Queen of Denim, but versatile leggings are actually a natural progression for Madewell, which launched a collection of off-duty staples under the name “MWL” (Make Weekends Longer) in October.

Available in black, khaki, and a blue-ish grey, the leggings in question are (like much of the brand's designs) basic-in-a-good-way. They're cropped at the ankles so you can wear them indoors with fuzzy slippers, or outside with boots and thick socks. And they have a hidden card-holder slot in the waistband, because who doesn't love a secret pocket?

Similar to the other pieces in the MWL collection, the leggings are responsibly made from recycled nylon and spandex, with flat seams and plenty of stretch. They come in sizes XXS to XXL, and wear opaque and compressive, rather than sheer or suffocating. But Madewell did more than just get the fit and fabric right for its first-ever legging. At $65, the price also feels reasonable considering some technical styles can go for double the amount.

All in all, if you're debating a closet purge for the new year, consider leaving a spot open for Madewell's newest legging. Shop our top picks from the drop below—and scroll down to check out more of the MWL line.

MWL Form High-Rise Three-Quarter Leggings (Khaki)

$65MadewellBuy Now

MWL Form High-Rise Three-Quarter Leggings (Sunfaded Indigo)

$65MadewellBuy Now

MWL Form High-Rise Three-Quarter Leggings (Black)

$65MadewellBuy Now

Original story: 10/20/2020

Madewell's bread and butter is, without a doubt, denim. So when we heard that the brand was dropping its first athleisure collection on October 20, we had to learn more. Let's face it: Very few of us have given much thought to our wardrobe in recent months, but Madewell is trusted for its ultra-comfy everyday wear, so a new launch feels like something worth getting out of our pajamas for.

Unlike a typical Madewell collaboration, which usually wraps up once the pieces are sold out, this launch marks the brand's entry into a whole new category—and a permanent one. “MWL,” as it's been dubbed, looks like a nickname for Madewell, but it's actually an acronym for “Make Weekends Longer.” In the collection's mix, you'll find a range of drawstring joggers, hoodies, and crewneck sweatshirts. Everything costs less than $100, and discounted bundles are available when you're buying a set.

“Athleisure has been a widely requested category, even before the pandemic,” Madewell's head of design, Joyce Lee, tells Glamour. “We designed the MWL collection to merge comfort and versatility with pieces that our customers can wear all day.” Consider it a uniform for doing all the things—and in a warm color palette that you can easily mix and match with other pieces in your wardrobe.

As we've come to expect from Madewell's pieces, the overall vibe is comfy and put together—but not sloppy—and the designs prioritize comfort, fit, and sustainability. Speaking to the latter, Lee says Madewell incorporated a sustainable element into each material. For instance, the new “Superbrushed” fabric is made from a recycled polyester that's durable and warm to the touch, while “Sweats” (the brand’s take on a midweight jogger) is made of 85% organic cotton and 15% recycled polyester.

As experts in fit, Madewell took learnings from their signature denim when designing this legging and created a universally flattering ankle length. Plus, there’s a hidden card-holder pocket in the waistband for all on-the-go needs.

Seven months ago, MWL would have probably been considered off-duty loungewear, but ever since our weeks and weekends blurred into one, any old “dressing rules” have been replaced by wardrobe staples you can wear 24/7. And for essential workers who aren't WFH right now, comfort-first apparel is everything after a long day's shift—making MWL something we can all get behind. Shop our favorite pieces from Madewell's new athleisure collection below, and check out the rest of the collection here.