About HUE: The Original Legging Innovators
When it comes to leggings, few brands are as well-known and beloved as HUE. Founded in 1978, HUE is often credited with pioneering many of the legging styles, fits, and fabrics we know and love today. From vibrant colors to stretchy-yet-durable materials, HUE has always been at the forefront of legging fashion and functionality.
Over the past 4+ decades, HUE has built a reputation for high-quality, comfortable leggings in a range of sizes for all body types. You can find their leggings at most major retailers like Nordstrom, Macy‘s, and Dillard‘s. HUE has also been frequently featured in top fashion magazines like Vogue, InStyle, and Cosmopolitan.
With a social media following of over 200K across Instagram and Facebook, it‘s safe to say HUE has developed a devoted fan base. But do their leggings really live up to the hype? As a long-time legging lover and HUE customer myself, I‘m here to give you my honest, in-depth review of HUE leggings. I‘ll cover their bestselling styles, sizing, comfort, durability, and more to help you decide if HUE is the right legging brand for you. Let‘s dive in!
Top 5 Best HUE Leggings Reviewed
HUE offers a dizzying array of legging options, from basic black to wild prints and every color in between. After testing many HUE leggings over the years, here are my top 5 picks for the best HUE leggings:
1. HUE Ultra Leggings with Wide Waistband
The HUE Ultra Leggings are HUE‘s original bestsellers, and it‘s easy to see why. These leggings nail all the basics with a buttery-soft yet substantial fabric (86% cotton, 14% spandex) that smooths and sculpts without feeling restrictive. The wide waistband is a game-changer, offering a comfortable, dig-free fit that never rolls down.
I love the versatility of these leggings. The cotton-rich material makes them breathable enough for workouts but also polished enough to dress up with a blouse and boots. They maintain their shape and opacity (no awkward see-through moments!) wear after wear. With a 28" inseam, these hit at a perfect ankle length on my 5‘6" frame. Petite and Tall lengths are also available.
The Ultra Leggings currently have over 2,500 reviews on Nordstrom.com with an impressive 4.4-star average rating. Many reviewers praise the waistband and note how well these leggings fit a variety of body types. One reviewer raves, "I bought these for my pear shaped figure and for once leggings fit me perfectly!" Priced at $36, these are an incredible value for the quality.
2. HUE Ultra Soft Denim High Waist Leggings
If you love the look of skinny jeans but crave the comfort of leggings, the HUE Ultra Soft Denim Leggings are for you. Made of a super-stretchy denim knit (71% cotton, 26% polyester, 3% spandex), these jeggings look remarkably like real jeans, complete with faux front pockets and fly. The high waist is snug and supportive without digging in.
I was blown away by how convincing the denim appearance is. The fabric has a subtle sheen and texture that mimics the look of true denim. These are ultra-comfortable with ample stretch, but they don‘t bag out with wear like some jeggings can. I tested a medium wash, but they‘re available in a range of light to dark denim colors.
Nordstrom buyers rate these 4 stars with over 200 reviews. One reviewer calls them her "magic leggings," saying "they look exactly like skinny jeans but are as comfy as regular leggings." At $44, they‘re pricier than basic cotton leggings but an excellent deal for such realistic-looking jean leggings.
3. HUE Ponte Leggings
For a slightly dressier legging that‘s perfect for the office or date night, try the HUE Ponte Leggings. Ponte is a thicker, sturdier knit that has the polished look of pants with the stretchy comfort of leggings. HUE‘s ponte fabric (62% rayon, 33% nylon, 5% spandex) is weighty but not stiff, with a smooth, sleek finish.
These ponte leggings skim your curves without clinging too tightly. The high-rise waist provides excellent coverage when sitting or bending. I love how put-together these make me feel with just a simple tunic and flats. Unlike some ponte pants, these are truly opaque with no risk of visible panty lines.
Reviewers on Macy‘s site give the HUE Ponte Leggings a solid 4.5 stars. One customer says "they can easily be dressed up for work or dressed down for errands." I agree that these are the perfect day-to-night legging. The price varies by color and inseam, but you can usually snag them on sale for around $30.
4. HUE Blackout Leggings
Every legging collection needs a pair of ultra-opaque black leggings. Enter the HUE Blackout Leggings, made of a thick matte fabric that‘s 86% polyester, 14% spandex. The polyester adds extra durability and helps them retain their rich black color wash after wash.
The standout feature of these leggings is their truly "blackout" opacity. They pass the squat test with flying colors – no risk of show-through even in bright sunlight. I also love how the wide waistband holds me in without feeling constricting. These have a slightly compressed fit, great for smoothing and sculpting.
HUE Blackout Leggings earn 4.1 stars from over 1,400 Amazon reviewers. Customers rave about their "super thick" material and "no-show coverage." Many say these are their go-to leggings for travel since they‘re comfy but polished. At around $25, they‘re an awesome affordable option for opaque black leggings.
5. HUE Seamless Leggings
For the ultimate barely-there feel, try the HUE Seamless Leggings. The nylon/spandex knit is ultra-thin and lightweight but still opaque enough to wear as pants. The wide waistband lays flat against your skin, and flat-lock seams eliminate any chafing or irritation.
I reach for these leggings on hot summer days or sweaty workouts. They feel delightfully airy and breathable while still providing good coverage. The seamless construction makes them virtually invisible under dresses too. I wouldn‘t recommend these for colder weather since the fabric is quite thin.
Nordstrom shoppers give these seamless leggings a 3.9 average rating, with many noting how comfortable and lightweight they are. Some wish they offered a bit more compression. For $18, they‘re an affordable pick for lightweight leggings, especially if you want that second-skin feel.
Sizing & Fit: How Do HUE Leggings Run?
In my experience, HUE leggings run true to size. I‘m usually between a small and medium in leggings, and a medium in HUE fits me perfectly. HUE offers an inclusive size range from XS-3X, which corresponds to women‘s sizes 0-24.
Most HUE leggings have an inseam of 28-30", which hits around the ankle on most heights. They also offer petite and tall lengths in some styles. All HUE leggings I‘ve tried have a nice amount of stretch, so getting the right fit is pretty easy. When in doubt, I‘d recommend sizing up if you‘re between sizes.
One thing to note is that some of HUE‘s leggings with a "control top" waistband can run small and be challenging to put on. In control top styles, you may want to size up for a more comfortable fit. But in general, HUE‘s sizing is consistent and true-to-size based on their size chart.
Quality & Durability: How Long Do HUE Leggings Last?
HUE is known for using premium, durable materials that hold up wash after wash. I have HUE leggings that are 3+ years old and still going strong with minimal pilling or fading. Their cotton and ponte leggings are particularly long-lasting.
HUE recommends machine washing their leggings in cold water and tumble drying on low to maintain their shape and quality. I‘ve found that their leggings hold up well to this care routine. Some of their lightweight seamless styles are a bit more delicate, so you may want to air dry those to be safe.
The only durability issue I‘ve encountered is some threads coming loose on the inner thigh seam after extensive wear. But for the most part, HUE leggings are very well-made and built to last for years of frequent wearing and washing. They‘re a great value in terms of cost-per-wear.
How Do HUE Leggings Compare to the Competition?
HUE is often compared to other major legging brands like Zella, Spanx, and Lululemon. Here‘s my take on how HUE stacks up:
Zella vs HUE: Zella is Nordstrom‘s in-house activewear line, best known for their Live In High Waist Leggings. Having tried both, I find that HUE‘s Ultra Leggings have a very similar fit and feel to Zella. Both use a soft, substantial fabric with a wide waistband. Zella only offers 2 inseams while HUE has 3 length options, so HUE may be better if you need a petite or tall size.
Spanx vs HUE: Spanx is the OG when it comes to shapewear leggings. Their faux leather and faux suede leggings are cult favorites. While HUE offers faux leather leggings too, Spanx‘s are a bit higher quality in my opinion. However, HUE‘s ponte and denim leggings are just as good as Spanx (some may say better) at a lower price point. In general, Spanx is better for that ultra-sleek, sculpted look while HUE is better for everyday casual wear.
Lululemon vs HUE: Lululemon is the luxe legging standard for many people. Their Align and Wunder Under tights are insanely popular for workouts and athleisure. In my experience, Lululemon beats HUE in terms of buttery-soft feel and sweat-wicking performance fabrics. However, HUE‘s Ultra Leggings and Blackout Leggings come pretty darn close for almost half the price of Lululemon. So if you want that Lululemon feel on a budget, HUE is an excellent alternative.
Styling Ideas: How to Wear HUE Leggings
One of the best things about HUE leggings is their versatility. Here are some of my favorite ways to style HUE leggings:
- Dress up a ponte legging with a silk blouse, statement jewelry, and heels for the office or dinner out
- Go sporty-chic by pairing ultra leggings with a graphic sweatshirt, denim jacket, and sneakers
- Create a sleek monochrome look with blackout leggings, a black turtleneck, and black booties
- Layer seamless leggings under a chunky sweater dress and knee-high boots for a cozy winter outfit
- Wear denim leggings with a chambray button-up, brown belt, and ankle boots for a casual double-denim vibe
The options are endless with HUE leggings! Experiment with different tops, shoes, and accessories to dress them up or down. When in doubt, a longer tunic-style top or overlapping shirt helps create a balanced, flattering silhouette with leggings.
Where to Buy HUE Leggings
You can find HUE leggings at a wide variety of retailers, both in-store and online. Major department stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale‘s, Macy‘s, and Dillard‘s all carry HUE. You can also find them at Kohl‘s, DSW, Bare Necessities, and Amazon.
My preferred place to buy HUE is directly from their website, HUE.com. They offer the widest selection of colors and sizes, and you can often find great deals (like buy one, get one 50% off). Shipping is free on orders over $50 too.
Shipping, Returns, & Customer Service
If you order from HUE.com, shipping is free on orders over $50 (or a flat $7 fee for smaller orders). They usually ship within 1 business day via UPS. In my experience, orders arrive within 3-6 business days.
HUE offers free returns within 30 days of purchase. Items must be in new, unworn condition with tags still attached. You can return in-store at any HUE retailer or by mail using their pre-paid return label.
I‘ve only had to contact HUE customer service once, but they were very helpful. I used their online chat feature and got a quick, friendly response to my sizing question. You can also reach them by phone or email. In reading other customer reviews, it seems HUE is quite responsive to any issues or concerns.
The Final Verdict: Are HUE Leggings Worth It?
After thoroughly testing many HUE leggings and researching hundreds of customer reviews, my verdict is a resounding yes – HUE leggings are absolutely worth it.
Here‘s why:
- Excellent quality: HUE uses durable, premium materials that hold up over time
- Comfortable fits: Super-soft fabrics and thoughtful fits make HUE incredibly comfy and wearable
- Inclusive sizing: HUE offers a full size range with petite and tall options to fit many body types
- Versatile styles: HUE has a legging for any occasion, from casual to work to workout
- Affordable prices: You get luxe-feeling leggings for a reasonable mid-range price point
Of course, the "perfect" legging is different for everyone. But I truly believe HUE leggings offer something for every preference and body type. They‘re the leggings I personally reach for again and again, and I feel confident recommending them to anyone.
Whether you‘re looking for an ultra-comfy everyday legging, a smoothing ponte pant for work, or a stretchy yet structured denim jegging, HUE has you covered. Trust this HUE leggings review and give them a try – your legs will thank you! With free shipping and returns, you have nothing to lose.
