Good leggings have become a staple in most women’s wardrobes – for the gym, studio, travel days and everything in between. The SWEATY BETTY Women’s All Day 7/8 Leggings sit firmly in that all-rounder space, promising comfort and support whether you’re heading to a yoga class or dashing around town.
Why 7/8 leggings are so popular right now
7/8 leggings are cut to finish just above the ankle, typically with an inseam of around 58cm / 23″ like the All Day 7/8 Leggings. On most people this creates a clean, flattering line that avoids bunching at the ankle and works well with trainers, running shoes or lifestyle footwear.
They’re particularly good if you:
- Find full-length leggings often too long or wrinkled at the ankle
- Run warm and prefer a little extra ventilation
- Want a style that transitions easily from studio to street
If you want to dig into real-world fit and feel, you can always read our full review of the SWEATY BETTY Women’s All Day 7/8 Leggings alongside this broader guide.
The key features that matter in all-day leggings
Leggings marketed as “all day” need to work harder than a pure performance piece. They need to feel good on the mat, but also remain comfortable for coffee runs, WFH days and travel. The SWEATY BETTY Women’s All Day 7/8 Leggings put a few core design choices front and centre:
- Elasticated, deep waistband – the combination of an elasticated waist and a deep waistband is all about staying put. A higher rise with more coverage helps prevent digging in or rolling during movement.
- 4-way stretch – this means the fabric stretches in both directions, horizontally and vertically, so it moves with you rather than against you.
- Breathable, quick-drying fabric – made from 80% recycled polyester and 20% elastane, the fabric is designed to wick moisture and dry fast, ideal for back-to-back activities.
- Sculpting seamed design – carefully placed seams help to contour and support, especially around the bum and hips, for a more sculpted look.
Viewed together, these features make the All Day 7/8 Leggings a strong option if you want one pair that can cover yoga, light training and casual wear without feeling out of place.
Sustainability and fabric: what 80% recycled really means
The rise of recycled fabrics is good news if you care about your environmental footprint. The SWEATY BETTY Women’s All Day 7/8 Leggings use 80% recycled polyester, which typically comes from post-consumer plastic such as bottles that have been processed into new yarn.
In practice, this gives you two things:
- Similar performance – recycled polyester still offers the breathability, quick drying and durability you’d expect from standard polyester.
- Better resource use – using recycled fibres reduces reliance on virgin petroleum-based materials, which is a small but meaningful step towards lower-impact kit.
The 20% elastane content is what brings the stretch and recovery, helping the leggings hold their shape after repeated wear. To see how this blend behaves in real sessions, you can check out our hands-on experience with the All Day 7/8 Leggings.
Choosing the right leggings for your activity
Not all leggings are built for the same job. Before you buy, it helps to be honest about how you actually use them.
Yoga, Pilates and low-impact studio work
For yoga, Pilates and barre, comfort and freedom of movement come first. You want leggings that stretch easily in every direction, stay opaque during deep bends and feel soft against the skin.
The 4-way stretch and sculpting design of the SWEATY BETTY Women’s All Day 7/8 Leggings tick these boxes, making them well-suited to studio classes. The high, deep waistband also helps them stay put through twists and inversions.
Strength training and gym sessions
In the gym, you need leggings that won’t ride down during squats or deadlifts, and that can handle sweaty sessions without feeling clammy. Breathable, quick-drying fabric – as highlighted in the All Day 7/8 Leggings – becomes important here.
If you like to layer, you might pair the leggings with a supportive top such as the SWEATY BETTY Women’s Power Medium Impact Tank Top, which is geared more towards dynamic workouts.
Running and outdoor activity
For regular running, you will often want features like secure pockets, reflective details and extra support. While the All Day 7/8 Leggings are more about all-round use and studio comfort, they can still work for short, casual runs thanks to their breathable, quick-drying fabric and supportive waistband.
If you run a lot, consider pairing them with technical running layers such as the SWEATY BETTY Women’s Breathe Easy Running Long Sleeve Top or the lighter SWEATY BETTY Women’s Breathe Easy Running T-Shirt for better moisture management and comfort outdoors.
How to get the best fit from 7/8 leggings
Fit can make or break a pair of leggings. Even with premium fabric and smart design, the wrong size or rise will cause dragging, rolling and constant adjustment.
Length and inseam
The inseam on the SWEATY BETTY Women’s All Day 7/8 Leggings is 58cm / 23″. On most women this will sit just above the ankle bone. If you are taller, they may look more like a cropped legging; if you are shorter, they will be closer to full length.
When trying on, stand in bare feet and check where the hem sits. You want it to sit flat against the leg without pulling tight at the calf or bagging around the ankle.
Waistband and rise
The deep waistband and elasticated waist are standout features of the All Day 7/8 Leggings. A taller waistband tends to smooth the midsection and feels more secure in motion.
Signs you’ve got the right size include:
- The waistband sits comfortably without folding or rolling
- You can slide two fingers inside the waistband without effort
- There’s no sharp digging at the hip bones or lower ribs
Stretch and opacity
With 4-way stretch, these leggings are designed to move freely during lunges, squats and yoga poses. It’s still worth doing a quick try-on test at home: squat, lunge and sit cross-legged to see how the fabric behaves.
If you also want a matching top layer that’s easy to throw over, pieces like the SWEATY BETTY Women’s After Class Funnel Neck Sweatshirt can work well, adding warmth without compromising movement.
Comfort beyond the studio: styling all-day leggings
One of the big draws of leggings like the SWEATY BETTY Women’s All Day 7/8 Leggings is their versatility. They’re not just for the gym – they can easily become your go-to travel or weekend piece.
For casual days, you might:
- Pair them with an oversized sweatshirt or knit (the After Class Funnel Neck Sweatshirt is an obvious companion)
- Layer with a longline vest or tunic for more coverage
- Slip on trainers or low-profile sneakers for a clean, athleisure look
If you want something a touch more relaxed than a legging but with a similar fabric feel, the SWEATY BETTY Women’s All Day Foldover Waist Trousers are worth a look. They offer a looser, trouser-style fit while staying comfy enough for travel and lounging.
Comparing the All Day 7/8 Leggings with other Sweaty Betty options
Sweaty Betty’s range leans heavily into mix-and-match outfits, so it makes sense to compare the All Day 7/8 Leggings with some of their other women’s pieces when building a kit that suits your lifestyle.
All Day 7/8 Leggings vs All Day Foldover Waist Trousers
Both the leggings and the All Day Foldover Waist Trousers are aimed at comfort and all-day wear. The main differences are in silhouette and styling:
- Leggings: Close, sculpted fit with a deep, elasticated waistband – best when you want a sleek, athletic profile or to pair with longer tops.
- Trousers: Looser, more relaxed leg and a foldover waist – better for travel, casual errands and days when you want a more laid-back look.
If you like the idea of the All Day fabric but prefer a less body-hugging cut, the trousers could be the better bet.
Pairing with performance tops
When you shift from lounging to training, pairing the leggings with the right upper layers makes a big difference.
- Power Medium Impact Tank Top – a supportive tank suited to strength training, circuits and high-mobility workouts. Ideal if you want more structure on top while the leggings give you freedom of movement.
- Breathe Easy Running Long Sleeve Top – lightweight warmth and coverage for outdoor runs or cool gym commutes.
- Breathe Easy Running T-Shirt – a breezier option for warmer sessions where you still want technical performance.
Each of these tops has its own strengths, and looking at them alongside the All Day 7/8 Leggings helps you put together a small, flexible wardrobe rather than lots of single-use pieces.
Caring for recycled performance leggings
To keep leggings like the SWEATY BETTY Women’s All Day 7/8 Leggings feeling good and performing well, a bit of simple care goes a long way.
- Wash cool: Use a cool or 30°C wash to protect the elastane and preserve stretch.
- Skip fabric softener: It can coat fibres and reduce breathability and moisture wicking.
- Turn inside out: This helps minimise pilling and keeps the outer surface looking new for longer.
- Air-dry: Avoid high-heat tumble drying, which can damage synthetic fibres and shorten the life of the leggings.
Because these leggings use 80% recycled polyester, gentle washing also helps reduce microfibre shedding over time, which is better for both the garment and the environment.
Building a small, versatile activewear wardrobe
Buying smarter, not more, is where all-round pieces like the All Day 7/8 Leggings come into their own. A simple, effective wardrobe might include:
- One pair of versatile leggings, such as the SWEATY BETTY Women’s All Day 7/8 Leggings
- One relaxed, lounge-ready bottom like the All Day Foldover Waist Trousers
- A supportive training top like the Power Medium Impact Tank Top
- One or two breathable running layers from the Breathe Easy range
- A cosy cover-up such as the After Class Funnel Neck Sweatshirt
With just a handful of thoughtfully chosen pieces, you can cover most situations: gym, yoga, post-class coffee, weekend errands and travel days.
Whether you’re eyeing up the SWEATY BETTY Women’s All Day 7/8 Leggings as your next go-to pair or just exploring options, understanding the fabric, fit and features will help you make a better choice. When you’re ready for more detail on how they perform in real use, follow up by reading our dedicated full review of the SWEATY BETTY Women’s All Day 7/8 Leggings and explore the linked reviews of the matching tops and layers to round out your kit.