Leggings, they're comfortable, versatile and ideal for every day. You can throw them on to take the dog for a walk, nip to the shops or dress them up for a put-together outfit.
However, not all leggings are alike. Cheap, ill-fitting pairs can be see-through in some lighting and sag around the knees and ankles. But when you get a great pair, that wash well and retain their shape you hold onto them for as long as possible.
M&S has released a pair, that it describes as 'magic' because they also double up as shapewear. They claim to 'pull you in' and give you a 'sculpted silhouette'.
Priced at £19.50, they have a 4.3 customer rating online, with more than 1,400 reviews. Not bad for a humble pair of leggings.
A reporter from Birmingham Live decided to buy them and see if they live up to the hype. Not only that, Emily Collis also found a cheaper pair from Primark and set about comparing the two.
The M&S pair come in different lengths, including petite, regular and long options. This is typical of the retailer, as it always offers different lengths on its own-brand clothing - they are also available in sizes 6 to 24.
Emily, who is a size 14, is 5 ft 10 and was pleased to be able to buy a tall pair. The reporter said the leggings are made from a thick and sturdy elastic-type material.
They were a bit of a struggle to put on due to this, but once on Emily says they synched her waist in. What's more, the high-waisted band also didn't leave a bulge at the top.
"My body shape dips in slightly below my hips, but the leggings gave me a smooth, more hourglass shape. Side on, I didn't think my tummy looked any flatter, but they were flattering on my bum. Overall, I was impressed," Emily said.
Now onto the Primark pair. Its Shaping Active Leggings are described as 'fashioned with a shaping waistband and stitching details, these leggings are bound to become your new workout bestie'.
Priced at £10, they can be found in the workout section in store, and are available in XS to XXL sizes. Emily went for a large pair as the label said this was a size 14-16.
Emily says although the fabric was 'thick and nice' it didn't feel as thick as the M&S pair, she says they were a little short on her but fit like a glove around her legs.
However, they were baggy around her tummy and kept on sliding down. Emily also didn't like the seam down the centre front of the leggings.
Sadly, Emily found the leggings didn't have a shaping effect and were actually quite unflattering.
Picking her overall favourite pair out of the two, Emily concluded: It's probably pretty obvious which leggings I preferred out of the two. Primark's didn't do anything for my figure and the sizing was off - even as a standard pair of leggings, I wouldn't pay £10 for them - while M&S's at least partly fulfilled the brief.
"So, are M&S's Magic Leggings really magic in terms of their shaping abilities? In my opinion, no.
"They didn't give me a flat tum or Kim K's bum, but they did flatter my curves and give me a more hourglass shape. I thought they were decent value for money and I'll definitely be wearing them again."
