We put three pairs of best-selling Spanx leggings loved by Claudia Winkleman to the test, with one pair offering a built-in bum lift for a sculpted silhouette
I don’t know about you, but my mind is still firmly on The Traitors. Though it finished a few weeks ago now, I’m still emulating Claudia Winkleman’s style from the most recent series in my daily life—or, at least I’m trying to.
When I found out halfway through the series that Claudia turns to a particular pair of leggings to help give her legs and bum shape – with no underwear show-through –when she wears those oversized blazers and knits she’s so known for, I made it my mission to get my hands on them.
Claudia wears the Spanx Seamless Leggings, £68, on repeat – and I can see why. With a double-layer waistband to flatten the tummy, plus four-way stretch and hidden shaping panels that smooth and hold you in all over for a flattering and comfortable fit, these leggings are anything but a standard pair you’d pick up from Primark.
It made me think: Am I missing something here? I’ve never paid more than around £20 for a pair of leggings, but I also feel like my bum is on show when I wear them with an oversized shirt or jacket, and my underwear could be showing through. I’m just always a bit self-conscious in leggings despite being comfortable.
To understand why Spanx is Claudia’s wardrobe hero, I’ve tested three of the brand’s best-selling styles so I can give you my honest review (and photos) of each.
Booty Boost 7/8 Leggings, £110
‘Spanx’s new sculpting jeans magiced me a bum I most certainly don’t have’
What they do: Designed with medium compression, these leggings smooth your silhouette while the high-rise, contoured waistband stays put. Booty Boost tech lifts and enhances your natural shape, and the seamless front ensures no creasing.
Perfect for workouts or casual wear, these leggings feature breathable, sweat-wicking fabric to keep you cool. The 7/8 length offers a sleek, flattering fit, while a hidden waistband pocket is a handy touch.
Zoe says: “As a Pilates girl, I’m always looking for a pair of leggings that I can feel confident will stay in place and have no show-through while I’m doing some very dignified downward dog-like pose. I always look around my class and admire the perky bums of the other class members, so the booty boost tech of these leggings was very appealing to me.
“Right off the bat, I loved the lightweight, but still thick, feel of the fabric on my skin. They felt like a squeeze to get on – and tighter than the other two pairs – but not in an uncomfortable ‘stuffed sausage’ way. They sucked my thighs and my stomach in, giving me a very smooth look. As for my bum? The clever seam detailing around the waistband helped accentuate what my mother certainly did not give me. I do almost wish I’d sized up to a medium in these, though, as they are a bit too tight on me.”
OnForm Full-Length Leggings, £110
What they do: With a second skin feel, these offer a soft, weightless fit with gentle smoothing. The high-rise waistband provides light compression, while the seamless front ensures a sleek look. With four-way stretch, these leggings move effortlessly with you (making them ideal for working out in).
Moisture-wicking and breathable, they keep you fresh whether you’re at yoga or running errands. The versatile full-length design makes them perfect for both active and everyday wear. Style them up or down.
Zoe says, “I’ve worn these leggings three or four times now to give them a proper go, and I really love them. The fabric feels buttery, they show no show-through, and I feel supported in them—I think I actually prefer the cut of these to the Booty Boost pair above for working out. These also have the most lightweight fabric of all three pairs.
“My only slight niggle is I don’t love the visible seams down the legs and on the waistband– it makes the leggings look purely for sportswear or athleisure, rather than a pair you could wear with a shirt or blazer.”
Ponte Zip Leggings, £110
What they do: These Ponte Zip Leggings combine comfort and sophistication with ultra-smooth ponte fabric and built-in core-smoothing technology. Light compression flatters your shape, while the high-rise waistband gives a sleek silhouette.
Ankle zippers add a stylish touch—wear them zipped for polish or unzipped for a relaxed feel. The structured fabric makes these leggings perfect for dressing up or down, whether with boots like Claudia or a pair of casual trainers.
Zoe says: “Out of the three pairs I ordered, these are the ones I’ll wear most for daytime dressing. Instead of having the seams that signal a workout legging rather than a daywear legging, these Ponte pants have subtle panelling going down them. The thick fabric and lack of visible waistband at the front also make them more trouser-like in appearance, which is great for when I’ve gone into the office.
“Like with all of the three pairs, I got these in a size small. Usually, I’d go medium because I don’t like tight, constructing clothes, but these leggings all lend themselves to being fitted. Though these initially felt tight to me, it’s just the compression working its magic – and I love how smooth they made my shape look.”
I’ve also put Spanx’s new range of sculpting jeans to the test, if you’re more of a denim fan than a legging wearer. You can read all about that and see the results I got from wearing both of the styles here. If you’ve been inspired to try out some shapewear leggings like the Spanx ones that Claudia and I both love, but you don’t quite have the budget for a £100 pair, M&S’ Magic Shaping High Waisted Leggings come in at £22.50 and offer similar results.
