These Sculpting Leggings Are Taking Over Hollywood — So I Put Them to the Test

I have a lot of leggings. Probably more than I need, really. A few of them I really love, the majority I like, some are so-so, and others just don't do it for me anymore. But it's the leggings I love that all my friends and family hear me talk about nonstop. I've professed my fondness for Spanx's Booty Boost Leggings in the past, but right now, I can't stop telling everyone about this pair from Alo Yoga. They check all the boxes, from fit to quality to how I feel when I'm wearing them (like a supermodel!). They've quickly become my favorite summer leggings, and I probably have Kendall Jenner to thank for that.

I've been curious about Alo leggings for a while, specifically the Airlift style that has hundreds of five-star ratings. What initially intrigued me about this pair is its seemingly endless list of celebrity and supermodel fans, like Jenner, Kaia Gerber, and Hailey Bieber. "If so many A-listers are wearing these leggings for their workouts and grocery runs, there has to be something special about them, right?" One day, I set out to answer that question and finally tried them for myself.

Available at Aloyoga, Bloomingdales, Amazon

The short? Yes, these are special leggings. The long? From the moment I unpacked them, I knew they were something else. The fabric felt sturdy yet soft, and compressive yet not overly confining (as some compression leggings tend to feel). Anyone who's ever worn leggings knows that soft and compressive don't always go hand in hand.

The wear test only deepened my appreciation for these celeb-loved leggings. They had that second-skin fit and feel — just as the brand claims they do — but still did the work in terms of compressing, sculpting, and lifting in all the right places. That's probably thanks to Alo's signature double-kit Airlift fabric that offers an equal mix of move-with-you comfort and booty-sculpting magic that lifted my butt (and confidence).

I also love the moisture-wicking material (a total must, especially come summertime), the front-smoothing panel that honestly feels a bit more compressive than the leg area, and the fact that they hit just above the ankle, the ideal legging length to show off sneakers.

The $114 price tag might seem steep, but you really get what you pay for. I kid you not, they make me feel like a million bucks — and for that, I'd be willing to spend another $114. Shop more of the Alo Yoga leggings and biker shorts I'm eyeing for the season, below.

Available at Aloyoga, Neimanmarcus, Nordstrom

Available at Aloyoga, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales

Available at Aloyoga, Bloomingdales, Neimanmarcus