How Should Leggings Fit? Find Your Size | Thrivin

How should Thrivin leggings fit?

Thrivin Elevate™ leggings are designed with high compression for a firm, sculpting fit. Choose your usual size for the intended compression. If you're between sizes or prefer a more relaxed feel, consider sizing up.

The right pair depends on your preferred waistband, glute detail and leg shape. Thrivin offers five Elevate™ styles: Mid Waist Scrunch, High Waist Scrunch, Outline V High Waist, Mid V-Waist Flare and High Waist Flare leggings.

• For a mid-rise fit: Choose Mid Waist Scrunch leggings.
• For extra core coverage: Choose High Waist Scrunch leggings.
• For a V-shaped waistband without a gathered scrunch seam: Choose Outline V High Waist leggings.
• For a flared silhouette: Choose either Mid V-Waist Flare or High Waist Flare leggings.

Before choosing a size, compare your waist and hip measurements with Thrivin's size chart. If you're between sizes, your hip measurement and preferred level of compression can help guide your decision.

This guide covers how to measure yourself, compare all five styles, choose the right inseam and troubleshoot common fit problems, including rolling waistbands, ankle bunching and misplaced scrunch seams.

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How to measure for Thrivin leggings

You need three measurements: waist, hips and inseam. Use a soft tape measure, snug but not tight.

1. Waist: measure around the narrowest part of your waist, usually just above the belly button.

2. Hips: measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat, keeping the tape level all the way round.

3. Inseam: measure from your crotch down to your ankle bone. Easier still, lay a pair of leggings you love flat and measure the inside leg seam.

Thrivin leggings size chart (cm)

If your waist and hips point to different sizes, go by your hips. More on that below.

For reference, our model Janna is 168cm (5'6") with 62cm waist and 95cm hips, and wears a size S.

See the full size guide

Sizing questions

Do Thrivin leggings run true to size?

Yes. Every Elevate™ legging is cut true to size for a firm, sculpting hold. Because they're high compression, they will feel tighter than everyday leggings. That held-in feel is intentional, not a sign you need the next size. But If you like a more relaxed feel, size up.

Should I size up if I'm between sizes?

Yes. Sizing up gives you a slightly more relaxed feel and more give across the glutes, without losing the shape. Sizing down usually means a waistband that digs in and fabric that's stretched harder than it was designed for.

A simple rule:

• True to size: snug, sculpting, locked-in. Best for lifting and leg days.

• One size up: a little more comfort and flexibility. Best for all-day wear, Pilates and travel.

What size should I get with a small waist and bigger hips or glutes?

Go by your hip measurement. Leggings stretch furthest across the seat, so sizing to your waist can leave the fabric over-stretched there and pull the waistband down as you move.

If the waist then feels roomy, a high-rise style usually holds better than a mid rise. Its taller waistband grips more of your torso.

Every Thrivin legging compared

All five styles are high compression and squat-proof. They differ in rise, glute detail, leg shape and length.

Not sure where to start? The Mid Waist Scrunch is our bestseller and the easiest first pair for gym training. Choose a flare if you want one legging for the studio, the gym and the walk home.

Compression, fabric and the squat test

Every Elevate™ legging is rated high compression: firm through the waist and sculpting down the leg. If you're used to soft, stretchy leggings, the first wear will feel noticeably more held in. That's the design working, not a sizing problem.

What the fabric is made of

• Scrunch leggings (mid and high waist): 92% polyamide, 8% elastane.

• Outline and flare leggings: 91% polyamide, 9% elastane.

Polyamide (nylon) gives the knit its smooth, cool, opaque finish. Elastane gives it four-way stretch and recovery, so the leggings snap back to shape rather than bagging at the knee or seat. All styles are breathable and four-way stretch.

Are Thrivin leggings squat-proof?

Yes. The knit stays opaque under stretch, including deep squats, lunges and hip thrusts. If any pair goes sheer across the seat, it's usually a sign the size is too small. Try the next size up.

When high compression isn't what you want

High compression is built for lifting, leg days and anything where you want to feel locked in. For long travel days or low-intensity sessions, size up for the same look with more give. Or choose a flare, whose wider leg feels less restrictive below the knee.

Keep the compression working

Care affects fit over time. Wash at 30°C on a gentle cycle, inside out, with a mild detergent. Skip fabric softener, tumble drying and ironing: heat and softener break down elastane, which is what holds the shape. Always air dry. How to care for your leggings

Waistband styles: mid, high or V?

The waistband decides where the legging grips you, so it matters as much as the size.

A rule of thumb: if your waistband rolls down when you squat, go higher. If it sits too close to your ribs or you keep folding it over, go mid.

Scrunch seam, glute seam and THRIVIN Ribbing Technology

Thrivin leggings shape the glutes in two ways. Most styles combine both.

The scrunch seam is a visible centre-back seam that gathers the fabric between the glutes. It defines each side and gives a lifted, rounded look. It's on the Mid Waist Scrunch, High Waist Scrunch and both flare styles.

THRIVIN Ribbing Technology is a ribbed band knitted to sit just under the glutes. It supports and lifts from below and adds definition at the top of the thigh. It's on every Elevate™ legging.

The Outline's sculpting glute seam shapes the glutes for a lifted, supported look without a gathered scrunch. Choose Outline if you want shape that reads more subtly.

How to put on scrunch leggings

The lift only works if the ribbing and scrunch sit in the right place. Pulling the waistband up first drags them too high.

1. Step in and pull the leggings up to mid-thigh.

2. Grip the ribbing and work it up your legs gradually.

3. Settle the ribbing just under your glutes.

4. Don't pull up the waistband until the ribbing is in place.

5. Pull the waistband up and adjust for comfort.

Watch the how-to-wear video

Is the scrunch sitting on your lower back?

If the scrunch lands above your glutes, the waistband was pulled up before the ribbing was settled. Take them down to mid-thigh and repeat steps 2 to 5. If it still sits high, you may have a longer torso. Try the high waist version, which carries more of the length above the scrunch.

Leg lengths and inseam

Leggings that bunch at the ankle or stop mid-shin are almost always a length problem, not a size problem. Don't size up for length: compare the inseam to your own.

Fitted leggings: the inseam grows with your size

The Mid Waist Scrunch, High Waist Scrunch and Outline V High Waist leggings come in one length per size.

That's at the shorter end for full-length leggings, so they suit petite and average heights well. If you're tall, expect them to sit just above the ankle bone, like a 7/8.

Flare leggings: choose Short, Regular or Long

Both flare styles come in three lengths, in every size from XS to XL.

Flares are cut longer than fitted leggings so the hem falls over your trainers. To choose, measure from your crotch to the floor while wearing the shoes you'll train in, then pick the closest length.

Quick fixes

• Fitted leggings bunching at the ankle: your inseam is shorter than your size's inseam. A flare in Short gives you a deliberate, finished hem instead.

• Fitted leggings too short: if you're tall, choose a flare in Long for full coverage.

• Flares dragging on the floor: go down one length. Flares too short to cover your trainers: go up one length.

Fit flags: what your leggings are telling you

Most fit problems point to one fix: a different size, rise or length.

Rolling your waistband down every time isn't a styling habit, it's a fit flag. Over time it stretches the waistband out, so it stops holding. If you always roll it, switch to the mid waist.

Leggings FAQs

What size Thrivin leggings should I get?

Thrivin leggings fit true to size with a high-compression, sculpting hold. Choose your size from your waist and hip measurements. If you're between sizes, or your hips are a size bigger than your waist, size up.

Are Thrivin leggings squat-proof?

Yes. All Elevate™ leggings are made from a polyamide and elastane knit that stays opaque under stretch, including in deep squats and lunges.

What is the inseam of Thrivin leggings?

Fitted styles have an inseam of 65cm (XS) to 69cm (XL), growing 1cm per size. Flare leggings come in Short (75cm), Regular (80.5cm) and Long (85cm).

Do Thrivin leggings come in petite or tall lengths?

The flare leggings come in Short, Regular and Long. The fitted scrunch and Outline leggings come in one length per size, between 65cm and 69cm, which suits petite and average heights.

How do I stop leggings bunching at the ankles?

Compare the leggings' inseam with your own, measured from crotch to ankle bone. If the leggings are longer, choose a shorter length rather than a smaller size. Sizing down for length makes the waist and seat too tight.

What's the difference between high waist and mid waist leggings?

High waist leggings sit above the belly button for more core coverage and a firmer hold. Mid waist leggings sit at the natural waistline for a lower, less restrictive rise. Thrivin makes both with the same scrunch seam, fabric and compression.

Do scrunch bum leggings actually lift?

They change how your glutes look, not their shape. A centre-back scrunch seam gathers the fabric to define each glute, and THRIVIN Ribbing Technology sits under the glutes to support them from below. Together they give a lifted, rounded look.

What are Thrivin leggings made of?

Scrunch leggings are 92% polyamide and 8% elastane. Outline and flare leggings are 91% polyamide and 9% elastane. All are breathable, four-way stretch and high compression.

Will Thrivin leggings stretch out?

Not with the right care. Wash at 30°C, inside out, and air dry. Avoid fabric softener and tumble drying, which break down elastane, the fibre that holds the shape.

What if the size isn't right?

Thrivin offers a 30-day return or exchange. See Returns & Exchanges

Final tips

Find your fit in three steps: measure, pick your rise, then pick your length.

1. Size from your waist and hips. Between sizes, go up.

2. Rise: high waist for core hold on lifting days, mid waist if high rises sit too close to your ribs.

3. Length: fitted styles run 65–69cm by size. Flares come in Short, Regular and Long.

Then put them on the right way, ribbing first and waistband last. That's where the sculpt comes from.

If the fit still isn't right, you have 30 days to return or exchange.

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