Are Your Leggings See-Through? The Three Move Squat Test
Designed in Scottsdale, Arizona
If you can see it, so can everyone.
The three move test that tells you in two minutes whether your leggings are sheer.
Leggings go see-through when the knit stretches thin over the seat and thighs. Test yours in three moves before you trust them: squat, bend, and reach, in bright light. Dark, dense, medium compression fabric passes most often. A pair that is one size too small fails almost every time.
Why leggings go sheer
Sheer is mostly a stretch problem, not a color problem. Knit fabric has tiny gaps between the yarns. Pull it tight and the gaps open, and light and skin tone come through. That happens first across the seat, behind the knees, and at the hip crease.
Size is the biggest cause. A pair one size too small is stretched further at every point. Read our guide on sizing up or down if you sit between two sizes. Light shades come second. They have less pigment to block what is underneath.
The three move test
Do this at home in daylight or under a bright bathroom light. Check the return terms before you cut tags. PILLAR accepts unworn items within 30 days.
- Move 1, the squatFace a mirror with feet shoulder width apart. Drop to parallel. Look at the seat and inner thighs. Skin tone or underwear color showing is a fail.
- Move 2, the bendTurn your back to a bright window and fold forward with straight legs. Better still, set your phone behind you, turn the flash on and record. Flash shows what normal light hides.
- Move 3, the reachLunge and reach overhead, then sit deep on a chair edge. Check the waistband and hip crease. Sheer at the hip crease means you need the next size up.
What each color asks of the fabric
| Color | Risk | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Lowest. Fails only when overstretched or worn out. | Run the squat. Check the seat after a month of washing. |
| Grey, brown, navy | Medium. Underwear lines and shadow show first. | Wear seamless underwear and run the bend with flash. |
| Mint, blush, white | Highest. Skin tone shows through a stretched knit. | Run all three moves twice. Wear skin tone underwear. |
Start with black
Three black pairs, all in stock in small, medium and large. The Luna Legging is the one to test first. The Tiffany Legging and Jenni Legging are the other two.
PILLAR lists the Luna Legging at 78% nylon and 22% spandex with medium compression, a high waist and no front seam. Compression holds the knit closer together, which is the fabric side of the fix. It does not replace the test. Two people in the same size can get different results.
If you want light colors
Light leggings are worth wearing with the full test. Both come in small, medium and large.
Two one click outfits
Pick your size and go straight to checkout.
Black training set
Luna Legging Black + Luna Bra Black + Hayden Hoodie Black
$221 total
Keep the good pair good
Wash cold and hang dry. Heat breaks down spandex and the knit opens. Read why leggings roll down for the waistband side, and when to replace your athletic wear for how long a pair stays opaque. Pair with the right bra using our sports bra support guide. If you train outside in Arizona, two way versus four way stretch explains why some fabrics recover better.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my leggings are see-through?
Do the three move test in bright light. Squat facing a mirror, fold forward with your back to a window, then lunge and reach. Record the bend with your phone flash on. If you can see skin tone or underwear color at any point, the pair is see-through on you.
Why do leggings turn see-through after washing?
Repeated stretching and heat wear the knit down. The yarns loosen and the gaps between them open. Wash cold, skip the dryer, and retire pairs that fail the flash test. Our guide on when to replace athletic wear has the timelines.
Are black leggings ever see-through?
Yes. Black hides the most, but a pair that is too small stretches thin over the seat and shows skin tone. A pair that is worn out does the same. Black fails later than light colors, not never.
Should I size up if my leggings are sheer?
If you are between sizes and the squat test fails, size up. A snugger size pulls the knit tighter at every point, which opens the gaps. A size that sits smooth and passes the test beats a tight fit that fails it.
What underwear works under light colored leggings?
Seamless underwear in a shade close to your skin tone. White and bright colors show through light leggings more than skin tone does. Run the flash test with the exact pair you plan to wear.
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