Best Faux Leather Leggings: Spanx v Commando Faux Leather Leggings

For the leather legging obsessed, there are two cult classic brands: Spanx v Commando faux leather leggings. Both are priced at just under $100 and both rarely go on sale, so this is a true battle to find the best.

Note: Commando leggings are a bit less expensive on Amazon, but availability is iffy.

Faux leather leggings (or real if you feel like a splurge!) have been a regular fixture in our wardrobes for a few years now. They used to be an item worn exclusively by rock stars and Ross Gellar, but now you’ll see everyone from 18 to 80 wearing a pair of these chic leggings.

WHY YOU NEED FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS

I love faux leather leggings because they go with everything from a sleek sweatshirt to a sequin crop top. Dress them up, dress them down, these are going to become a workhorse in your wardrobe. I wore mine last Friday night with a leopard blouse tucked in, a black double-breasted blazer, and booties, then, Saturday night, I wore them with a black blouse, also tucked in, and a leopard print jacket (there’s also a leopard print theme going on here apparently…). Needless to say, I’ll probably be wearing them again this weekend, if not this week.

It’s worth noting, I’ve had a pair of leather front leggings from Club Monaco for a couple of years, which are wonderful, but the total faux leather leggings are just so much more versatile.

SPANX FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS

The first pair I ordered was the Spanx faux leather leggings. They’re certainly a cult classic and I was sold after I heard Blair Eadie singing their praises on the Bad on Paper podcast. I ordered both a small and a medium, and when I pulled them out of the package, both looked as if they were children’s sizes.

But, being Spanx, they stretch. I went with the medium (for reference, I wear a 26 or 27 in jeans, but I definitely have a butt) and, I have to say, these things SHAPE. Seriously, I looked like I had a thigh gap. And, believe me, I do not. Unfortunately, the super-high waistband did gape on me…like several inches gape. But, that does tend to be an issue for me, so it’s not a dealbreaker.

I feel like this needs to be highlighted: these are 100% not faux leather. They are a super comfy, thick legging with a sheen. They look more like a workout version of leather leggings. If I wanted something comfy to lounge around in, wear to run errands, throw on for brunch, these would be it. However, a noticeable seam up the side of the leg and a thick yoga-inspired waistband are just too casual for a dressier legging.

COMMANDO PERFECT CONTROL FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS

Similar to the Spanx leggings, I ordered both the small and the medium from Commando and wondered how I was going even get one leg in. But, they stretch. The first time you put them on, you’re going to be shimmy-ing. A lot. Once you’ve broken in that first wear, however, they’re totally fine, though I would recommend going with the bigger size.

The Commando leggings are truly a faux leather legging. This is this finish I wanted. I would say they’re close to as comfortable as the Spanx leggings, with perhaps Spanx having a slight edge. These don’t have a waistband, but they do come up practically to your boobs, which is wonderful if you plan on wearing anything that remotely resembles a crop top (that Spanx workout-inspired waistband is just NOT going to cut it!).

WHICH IS THE BEST FAUX LEATHER LEGGING? SPANX v COMMANDO FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS?

Let me first add a caveat: I think these leggings have different purposes. HOWEVER, since I wasn’t about to spend $200 on faux leather, I only kept the Commando faux leather leggings.

For me it came down to two things when deciding on the Spanx v Commando faux leather leggings: First, I want faux leather, not a legging with a leather-inspired sheen. And second, I want to be able to wear short tops, so a waistband ruins that look.

If you want something to wear super, super casually, or for travel, go for the Spanx. They’re comfy, they’re flattering, I can see why everyone loves them. But, if you want a legging that’s versatile, that you can wear out on a Friday night or to work with an oversized blazer, you absolutely, hands down, need the Commando faux leather leggings in your life.