Claudia Winkleman's Leggings on The Traitors Are the Exact Pair Our Editors Have Been Buying for Years

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As a fashion editor, I encounter new trends every single day. Some are destined for greatness, while others fizzle out before the month is over. The relentlessness of the fashion cycle is something I know all too well. Don’t get me wrong—I love a good trend. But after seeing countless fleeting ones come and go, I’ve learned to prioritise timeless pieces over trend-driven buys where I can. And for me, few items are as timeless or versatile as a simple pair of black leggings.

Ask any other fashion editor, and they’ll tell you the same: a great pair of leggings is a wardrobe staple worth its weight in gold. But here’s the catch—not all leggings are created equal. While the fashion set has tirelessly tested and debated the best pairs, the market is flooded with options which makes it hard to stay on top of the ones worth putting your money behind. However, there’s one clear frontrunner we all seem to agree on: Spanx leggings.

Not the only ones who swear by them, this week I found out that Claudia Winkleman, host of television series Traitors is a fan of the enduring classic, too.

Styling a jet-black, form-fitting pair of Spanx leggings, the presenter wore hers with a black velvet blouse, a neatly fitting black blazer, and a tall pair of Bottega Veneta Lug Chelsea Boots (£1080). Keeping to a monochrome colour palette, Winkleman elevated her styling by integrating rich textures and trending cuts so that, despite her outfit championing an item associated with loungewear or athleisure, she looked incredibly chic.

A long-standing staple in the wardrobe of fashion editors—including Who What Wear's Editor in Chief, Hannah Almassi and Deputy Editor, Maxine Eggenberger—Spax leggings are beloved for the sculpting and lifting effect that hugs the body without restricting it. Thick enough to avoid looking sheer, and with a matte jersey finish that keeps them looking polished, not sporty, these classic leggings tick all of the boxes. While Winkleman stuck to the classic black pair, the brand also offers velvet and leather-like styles for those seeking a more elevated take on this wardrobe essential.

In my opinion, there's no better time to refresh your leggings collection than the sluggish month of January. To shop the editor-approved leggings we keep coming back to, read on to discover our edit of the best Spanx leggings below.