Spanx Leggings vs. Fabletics: Which one should you buy?

The core difference between Spanx and Fabletics leggings lies in their fundamental purpose: Spanx is renowned for its premium shaping technology designed to sculpt and smooth your silhouette, often at a higher price point. Fabletics focuses on trendy, affordable, and versatile activewear sold through a subscription model, offering a vast array of colors and prints.

Here's everything you need to know to decide whether to invest in Spanx's sculpting power or Fabletics' fashion-forward value.

Spanx Leggings

Originally famous for game-changing shapewear, Spanx has translated its body-sculpting expertise into leggings that promise a sleek, seamless, and incredibly flattering fit. These leggings are engineered not just for workouts but to boost confidence in your everyday wardrobe, providing firm support and a smooth foundation under any outfit.

• What it is: High-performance leggings from a shapewear-focused brand, designed with compression technology to sculpt, lift, and smooth.
• Key features: Signature shaping panels, high-waisted designs to control the tummy area, moisture-wicking technology, and seamless construction for a flawless look.
• Price: $70 - $120, positioning them as a premium activewear investment.
• Materials/Construction: Crafted from high-quality, durable, and compressive fabrics like Power Slim Tech that offer excellent stretch, support, and longevity without losing their shape.
• Sizing/Fit: They generally run true to size but have a noticeably snug, compressive feel. This 'held-in' sensation is central to their design, molding to your body for a second-skin fit.
• Pros: Unmatched shaping and smoothing capabilities. High-quality, durable materials that last. Versatile enough for the gym, errands, and even work or casual evenings out. Excellent for creating a sleek silhouette.
• Cons: The high price point is a considerable investment. The color and print selection is more limited and classic compared to Fabletics. The intense compression might feel restrictive to some for all-day lounging.

This brand is perfect for anyone who wants to invest in a premium legging that offers superior shaping, smoothing, and versatile style.

Shop this product: spanx.com/leggings

Fabletics Leggings

Co-founded by Kate Hudson, Fabletics is a subscription-based activewear brand that makes trendy, stylish workout apparel accessible. Its leggings are known for bold prints, vibrant colors, and comfortable fabrics, offered at a budget-friendly price point, especially for members of its flexible VIP program.

• What it is: Fashion-forward and affordable leggings from a subscription-based activewear company known for style-driven, versatile collections.
• Key features: Trendy designs with cut-outs, mesh accents, bold prints, and vibrant colors. Moisture-wicking, four-way stretch fabrics, and supportive waistbands for comfort during workouts.
• Price: $30 - $60 for non-members, with significant discounts for VIP members (often 2-for-$24 welcome offers).
• Materials/Construction: Utilize quality performance fabrics like their signature PowerForm™ that provides good support, breathability, and four-way stretch for comfort and movement.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for inclusive sizing ranging from XXS to 4X. The fit is generally true to size with a comfortable, adaptive stretch that's less compressive than Spanx.
• Pros: Highly affordable, especially with membership deals. A massive variety of trendy styles, prints, and colors are released frequently. Very inclusive size range. Comfortable for both intense activities and casual lounging.
• Cons: The subscription model requires you to either shop or 'skip the month' to avoid a monthly charge. While quality is good for the price, they may not offer the same longevity or intense shaping as Spanx.

This is the ideal choice for active women looking for stylish, comfortable, and affordable leggings in a wide range of designs for workouts and everyday life.

Shop this product: fabletics.com/leggings

Spanx vs. Fabletics Comparison

Price & Value

There's a clear difference in pricing strategy. Spanx leggings are an investment piece, with prices firmly in the $70 to $120 range. The value comes from their premium shaping technology, durable construction, and a figure-enhancing fit that you won't find in most standard athletic leggings.

Fabletics champions affordability and value. With VIP pricing, you can often get two pairs of leggings for less than half the price of a single pair from Spanx. The value proposition here is the ability to build a diverse activewear wardrobe with trendy, functional pieces without a huge financial commitment.

Quality & Materials

Spanx prioritizes materials with a clear sculpting purpose. Their proprietary fabric blends offer high compression and are engineered to last, retaining their shape wash after wash. The construction is meticulous, often featuring seamless designs and reinforced waistbands that contribute to a perfectly smooth silhouette.

Fabletics uses quality performance fabrics like PowerForm that offer good four-way stretch, moisture-wicking capabilities, and breathability. While durable and comfortable for most activities, their primary focus isn't the intense, long-lasting compression found in Spanx. The focus is on a balance of performance, style, and comfort at an accessible cost.

Style & Aesthetic

Spanx maintains a sleek, minimalist, and functional aesthetic. Their leggings primarily come in classic, solid colors like black and navy, with some styles incorporating subtle textures like faux leather or moto details. The look is chic, streamlined, and timeless.

Fabletics is all about fashion-forward looks. The brand is known for its bold prints, vibrant color palettes, and trendy details like pockets, mesh insets, and unique cut-outs. Their collections are constantly updated to reflect current activewear trends, appealing to someone who sees leggings as a style statement.

Fit & Sizing

The fit is where the core difference is felt. Spanx leggings give you a firm, 'held-in' sensation. They are designed to be snug to effectively shape and smooth your body. While they run true to size, expect a compressive fit.

Fabletics offers a more traditional activewear fit - supportive yet comfortable, with plenty of stretch for unrestricted movement. A major advantage for Fabletics is its inclusive size range, running from XXS to 4X to accommodate a wide variety of body types beautifully.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer excellent products, but they cater to very different priorities and shoppers.

Choose Spanx leggings if:

• Your primary goal is a smooth, sculpted, and streamlined silhouette.
• You are willing to invest in premium materials and long-lasting durability.
• You want versatile leggings that can be dressed up or worn for workouts.
• You prefer a classic, minimalist aesthetic over trendy prints and bright colors.

Choose Fabletics leggings if:

• You prioritize affordability and want the best value for your money.
• You love expressing yourself with trendy styles, bold prints, and vibrant colors.
• You want to build a large and varied activewear collection without a major investment.
• You require a more inclusive size range and prefer a comfortable, less compressive fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between Spanx and Fabletics leggings?

The main difference is their core focus. Spanx focuses on premium shaping leggings designed to sculpt and smooth your figure at a higher price. Fabletics specializes in affordable, trendy, and fashion-forward activewear sold through a subscription model, with a huge variety of styles.

Are Spanx leggings worth the money?

For many, yes. If your priority is smoothing, shaping, and building a flawless silhouette under your clothes, the high-quality materials and compressive technology of Spanx are worth the investment. They are durable, versatile, and deliver on their promise of a flattering fit.

How does the Fabletics membership work?

The Fabletics VIP Membership is a flexible subscription. You can purchase items at a significant discount each month. If you don't want to buy anything, you can choose to "Skip the Month" by the 5th of each month, and you won't be charged. If you don't shop or skip, your account is charged a membership credit that you can use on future purchases.

Which brand is better for workouts?

Both are designed for workouts. Spanx offers more compression, which can feel more supportive for high-impact activities. Fabletics provides excellent comfort, stretch, and moisture-wicking for a wide range of activities, from yoga to HIIT.

Which brand is more comfortable for all-day wear?

This depends on personal preference. Fabletics often wins for all-day "lounging" comfort due to its softer, less-compressive feel. However, many people find the secure, 'held-in' feeling of Spanx comfortable and confidence-boosting for all-day activities.

Do Spanx leggings run small?

Spanx leggings typically run true to size, but they are designed to be very snug to provide shaping and support. If you are between sizes or prefer a less compressive fit, you might consider sizing up.

Does Fabletics offer good quality leggings for the price?

Yes, Fabletics offers impressive quality for its price point. Their leggings are durable, squat-proof, and use performance materials that hold up well during workouts, making them an excellent value.

Can you buy Fabletics without a membership?

Yes, you can purchase from Fabletics as a guest or basic member, but you will pay the higher, non-discounted retail price for all items.