Jeggings vs. Leggings vs. Knit Jeans: What's the Difference?
Leggings are smooth stretch knit; jeggings add a denim look and faux pockets; knit jeans are cut like real jeans in soft French terry with real pockets.
All three pull on, stretch and skip the zipper. The difference is how much they look like denim and how much structure they have: leggings are the softest and simplest, jeggings borrow the jean look, and knit jeans give you a true jean cut with real pockets.
What's the difference between leggings, jeggings and knit jeans?
It comes down to fabric, details and polish. Leggings are a smooth stretch knit with no jean details. Jeggings are leggings styled to look like denim. Knit jeans are cut like real jeans but made from soft French terry with an elastic waist.
| Feature | Leggings | Jeggings | Knit Jeans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Smooth stretch knit, such as cotton with spandex | Stretch knit or stretch denim-look fabric, depending on the style | Soft French terry knit that looks like denim |
| Waist | Pull-on elastic | Usually pull-on | Pull-on elastic |
| Pockets | Usually none | Often faux front pockets | Real front pockets; many styles add back patch pockets |
| Look | Sleek and simple | Denim look with legging stretch | Reads as a classic jean |
| Fit | Close, curve-hugging | Close through the leg | Skims from hip to hem |
| Easiest to wear with | Tunics and longer tops | Tunics, sweaters, ankle boots | Blouses, tees and cardigans, tucked or untucked |
Leggings: smooth, stretchy and simple
Leggings are the most flexible of the three: a close-fitting stretch knit with an elastic waist and no jean details. They're the go-to under tunics, long sweaters and dresses.
Our Catherines Suprema Legging is cut in 95% cotton and 5% spandex for a smooth, curve-hugging fit. Its covered elastic waistband is designed to lay flat, contour the waist and offer tummy support. We describe Suprema® fabric as premium cotton “designed to retain its shape and color wash after wash”; treat that as how the fabric is made to perform, and check recent reviews for how it wears for you.
Length matters with leggings, since extra fabric bunches at the ankle. The Suprema Legging comes in a Regular 28” inseam, a Petite 26” inseam and a Petite Short 24” inseam. Browse every style in our plus size leggings collection.
Jeggings: the denim look in a legging
A jegging is a legging that's made to look like a jean. Expect a close fit through the leg plus jean-style details such as faux front pockets, topstitching or a denim-look finish.
Jeggings work when you want the look of skinny jeans without a zipper or a stiff waistband. Because they fit so close, they tend to show the shape of the leg more than a knit jean does, and how much stretch, structure and coverage you get varies a lot from pair to pair.
Sizing is the thing to watch. A reviewer of our Hi Rise Jegging warned, “Not true to size, runs very small. Order up one size.” Check the size chart on each style before you shop plus size jeggings.
Knit jeans: a real jean cut in soft French terry
Knit jeans give you the cut and details of a real jean in a soft, flexible knit. They have a covered elastic waist and working pockets, so they look the most like classic denim of the three.
The Knit Jean is our #1 jean, made from cotton French terry with spandex that looks like classic denim but feels like your comfiest sweatpants. It gently skims from hip to hem with a slim leg, a covered all-around elastic waistband, functional front pockets and back patch pockets. No buttons, no zippers.
If you're curviest at the hips, the Curvy Knit Jean is the same French terry favorite refashioned for fuller hips, with a pull-on elastic waist, front pockets and a slim leg. Compare all the cuts in our entire Catherines jeans collection.
Which one should you wear, and where?
Choose by how polished the day needs to be. Leggings suit relaxed days and long tops, jeggings suit casual outfits where you want a denim look, and knit jeans work anywhere you'd wear regular jeans.
- Errands, travel and lounging: leggings or knit jeans. Both pull on and move with you.
- Casual weekends: jeggings or knit jeans with a sweater or tee.
- Lunch out, church or visiting family: knit jeans with a blouse and cardigan look the most put-together.
- Workdays with a relaxed dress code: knit jeans, since they read as denim and have real pockets.
- Under a dress or long tunic: leggings, because they add coverage without bulk.
How do the three fit and size?
Leggings and jeggings fit close to the leg, so the size chart and the right inseam matter most. Knit jeans skim rather than cling, which gives a little more room through the hip and thigh.
- Measure first. Take your waist and hip measurements and compare them with the size chart on the product page.
- Pick your length. The Knit Jean comes in Regular 29”, Petite 26.5”, Petite Short 24.5” and Tall 32” inseams; the Curvy Knit Jean in Regular 29” and Petite 26.5”.
- Match the fit to your shape. If your hips are your fullest point, a Curvy fit is designed with that in mind.
- Read the reviews. Shoppers often say whether a style runs small or large, as with the jegging review above.
Catherines offers Sizes 14W–40W and 0X–6X, and every bottom is designed for plus sizes from the start. We Fit You Beautifully®.
Styling each one for real life
Treat leggings as the base, jeggings as a casual denim swap, and knit jeans as your everyday jean.
- Leggings: pair with a tunic or long cardigan and flats; the Suprema Legging also dresses up with a half-zip tunic.
- Jeggings: try an oversized sweater with ankle boots for a classic cool-weather look.
- Knit jeans: wear with a blouse and cardigan, or a printed tee and sneakers for weekends.
Frequently asked questions
Are jeggings the same as leggings?
Not quite. A jegging is a legging made to look like denim, usually with faux pockets, seams or a denim-look finish. A plain legging skips the jean details and keeps a smooth, simple knit surface.
Can you wear leggings as pants?
Yes. Many women wear leggings as everyday pants, and a thicker knit makes that feel more polished. Pairing them with a tunic or longer top that reaches the hip is an easy way to make the look feel finished.
Which of the three is the most covering?
Thicker, more structured knits usually cover best, which often puts knit jeans in French terry ahead. Whichever you choose, a quick bend test in front of a mirror in daylight is the surest check.
Do jeggings run small?
Some do. One reviewer of our Hi Rise Jegging wrote, “Not true to size, runs very small. Order up one size.” Compare your measurements with the size chart and read reviews before you order.
Can knit jeans go in the washing machine?
The Knit Jean and Suprema Legging labels both say machine wash. Follow the care label on your specific pair, since instructions can differ from style to style.