A Layer We Can’t Live Without

Each year, we inevitably find ourselves shocked by the first chilly day of the season. Even in Los Angeles, the city of sunshine, we dip into the 40s and 50s during the night time. This means we welcome any opportunity to layer stylishly to navigate the fluctuating winter temperatures. One of our favorite tools for extending our summertime wardrobes and layering up against the lingering morning chill? Leggings, baby.

Pact, one of our favorite sustainable brands for basics and loungewear, is making all our cozy dreams come true with their $25 leggings.

Easy, comfortable, and affordable? Yes, please.

“Slip these leggings on with a smile, because they save 33.3 gallons of water compared to leggings made with non-organic cotton.”

On a mission to be the world’s first guilt-free fashion brand, Pact is committed to using organic cotton and producing in Fair Trade Certified factories. The brand uses zero harmful chemicals and seeks out processes that use less water. What started as an organic cotton underwear brand has evolved to include sustainable loungewear, activewear, and linens and towels, too.

Pact’s Go-To Leggings are made from 89 percent organic cotton and 11 percent elastane, offering a super-soft and super-supportive fit. Slip them on with a smile, because these leggings save 33.3 gallons of water compared to leggings made with non-organic cotton. Plus, with Pact’s emphasis on quality and longevity, you don’t have to worry about purchasing a new pair of leggings every year.

Looking for a little something more? The brand’s colorblock leggings are the perfect addition to any workout wardrobe, and the pocket leggings come, obviously, with handy pockets that are ready for any adventure (just make sure they’re empty at TSA). Both options clock in at $35, so you don’t have to break the bank to find the perfect pair for your lifestyle.

We teamed up with our friends at Pact to show you how our team is styling their Go-To Leggings this winter—scroll down to see which editor’s aesthetic most matches your own! How do you transition leggings into your winter wardrobe? Share in the comments below. 😊❄️

— Celeste — Celeste is wearing the Charcoal Heather Go-To Leggings

I have a long, complicated history with leggings. In high school, I wore leggings almost exclusively, only to abandon them altogether in my college years because I’d adopted the narrative that they “weren’t pants.” It wasn’t until Pact’s organic cotton leggings came into my life that my love affair with leggings was rekindled to an extreme degree.

Much to our Managing Editor Emily’s surprise, I picked the Charcoal Heather pair. Though I’ve been much more of a classic, black leggings kind of girl in the past, I figured the gray-ish leggings would add some nice color blocking into my wardrobe. And boy, did they deliver! These super comfy leggings are perfect for setting off all the black I have in my wardrobe but are still toned down enough to not look out of place. They remind me of why I loved wearing leggings so much in high school— they’re cozy, easy to throw on, and fun to dress up or down.

Appropriately named the Go-To legging, these leggings are perfect for all of my favorite activities: traveling, rock climbing, roller skating, running into an ex while running errands (hasn’t happened yet but I like to be prepared)! In the colder months, I’ll pair these leggings with a sweater and a denim jacket, an oversized knit sweater and boots, or even a cropped crew neck sweater and sneakers. And just to address the elephant in the room—yes, they do make your butt look great! So, the whole running-into-an-ex thing wouldn’t be an issue at all.

“These leggings are perfect for all of my favorite activities: traveling, rock climbing, roller skating, running into an ex while running errands (hasn’t happened yet but I like to be prepared)!”

— Emily — Emily is wearing the Black Go-To Leggings

The only black leggings I’ve ever owned are a pair of shiny black running spandex that fit poorly and pooched in all the wrong places. So as soon as I put on these cotton leggings, I realized what I’d been missing out on all these years: So soft! So fitted! So cozy! The fabric is thicker than other leggings I’ve owned, which makes these ones versatile for everyday wear. The thick waistband is sturdy and keeps things from riding up—kind of a must if you’re wanting to wear the leggings without a dress or skirt over them, if you know what I mean.

When I planned out how I’d wear them, my mind landed on the memory of my college campus during the fall and winter. Everywhere you turned, women wore North Face jackets, leggings, and Ugg boots even on the coldest days of those Indiana winters. So, inspired and yet looking to do something more unique, I popped on a flowy button-down, a black blazer, and my current favorite boots. The combination ended up feeling pulled together, and if you added a skirt, this would be a great look for even a more conservative workplace. On a colder day, I’d pull on a statement coat and thicker boot socks and revel in my layering skills.

If I were in Indiana right now, I’d be layering these leggings under my dresses and skirts to give them more seasonal longevity. But my favorite thing to do with leggings is to layer them under pants that aren’t too tight; it’s a great way to protect yourself from even the iciest of winter winds. (I’ve even done this on “chilly” Los Angeles days—what can I say? I’m chronically cold.) Plus, since they’re cotton, they’ll dry quickly if you happen to walk through slushy snow without adequate footwear—trust me, I’ve thought a lot about this over the years.

“My favorite thing to do with leggings is to layer them under pants that aren’t too tight; it’s a great way to protect yourself from even the iciest of winter winds.”

— Kayti — Kayti is wearing the Scarlet Go-To Leggings

I’d live in cozy clothes if I could. Having grown up in mountain towns where fashionable attire is leggings, flip flops, and oversized flannels, I consider myself something of an expert when it comes to a comfy, laid-back style. It comes as no surprise, then, that I love these leggings from Pact. While black is my color of choice, I was excited to switch things up and try the Scarlet Go-To Leggings for the holiday season. They’re fun and festive, and the color is a deep, autumnal red. I envision myself wearing these when I’m feeling bold or while lounging around on Christmas morning.

So far, I’ve worn the leggings at home and while running errands around LA on the weekend. I like pairing them with my Vejas and an oversized jean jacket for a relaxed and comfortable outfit. I can envision myself wearing these in colder temps, too—while camping in the mountains, or along with winter boots and a puffer coat when visiting my family in Colorado for the holidays.

As for the quality and fit—I’ve been a long-time fan of Pact and own a few of the brand’s organic cotton basics. I wasn’t surprised by the exceptional quality of these leggings; it’s on par for this brand. That being said, I won’t be running any marathons in these leggings. While the cotton fabric is soft, it’s not as breathable as my recycled polyester leggings. I’ll instead reserve these for keeping cozy and warm (and maybe the occasional yin class).

“[These leggings are] fun and festive, and the color is a deep, autumnal red. I envision myself wearing these when I’m feeling bold or while lounging around on Christmas morning.”

This article is in partnership with our friends at Pact.