Choose shorts when you want less fabric on your legs and a shorter line under a longer top; choose leggings when you would like your knees and legs covered for sitting, kneeling or folding forward, or a longer line from waist to ankle. If you can't decide, choose a range that makes both in the same colour, so you can change the length and keep the set.
Here is how to decide, with notes from our current product pages.
Should you wear shorts or leggings?
There is no right answer, only the one that suits your day. Three questions usually settle it: how much coverage you want, what you are wearing on top, and what you will be doing in them.
If you already know you want shorts, our guide to choosing activewear shorts goes through length, waistband and pockets. If you are set on leggings, our guide to flared or fitted leggings compares the two shapes.
How much coverage do you want?
This is the biggest difference, so start here. The Form Shorts and Refine Shorts are both listed as mid-thigh length. The Form Leggings and Refine Leggings both finish above the ankle, and the flared versions of each are full length.
Think about the moments when coverage matters to you. If you will sit on the floor, kneel on a mat or fold forward, leggings keep your knees and legs covered. If you prefer the feel of less fabric, or you are wearing a longer layer over the top, shorts keep the outfit light.
What are you wearing on top?
Look at your top and bottoms together, because the proportions change with the length.
- With a sports bra or cropped top, both work. A matching bra and shorts or leggings already looks finished.
- With a longer tee, tank or hoodie, check where the hem falls. Over shorts, a long hem can cover most of them, which some people like and others don't. Over leggings, a longer top sits neatly over a close line to the ankle.
- With a layer you might take off, choose the bottoms you would be happy wearing with the top alone.
Our guides to choosing a sports bra or a tank top and styling an oversized hoodie go into tops in more detail.
What will you be doing in them?
Picture the day rather than one moment. For a class where you sit, kneel or lie on a mat, you may prefer the coverage of leggings; our guide to what to wear to Pilates covers that in more detail. For a walk followed by coffee, see two easy outfits for a walk and coffee.
If you would like to keep your hands empty, look for pockets. The Refine Shorts and Refine Leggings both have discreet side pockets, which the listings describe as being for everyday essentials. The Form listings don't mention pockets.
Do shorts and leggings list the same fabric blend?
For the Form and Refine examples below, the shorts and leggings list matching fibre blends and waistband features. Compare those details alongside length when choosing your pair.
- Form: the shorts and leggings are both listed in 75% polyamide and 25% elastane, with a double-brushed finish and a mid-rise, double-layer V-shaped crossover waistband.
- Refine: the shorts and leggings are both listed in 78% polyamide and 22% elastane, with a mid-rise crossover waistband and side pockets.
If you are comparing across ranges, check each listing, because blends and waistbands differ from range to range.
Can you have both in the same set?
Yes. Several of our ranges come in shorts and leggings in the same colours, including Core, Edge, Form, Macy and Refine. For example, Form comes in Mocha and Oat, and Refine in Deep Ocean and Midnight.
That gives you a simple way to build a set that works for more of your days: one bra or tank, with shorts for some days and leggings for others. Our notes on a matching set, three ways and choosing colours that work together can help you plan it.
How do you choose your size?
In each of the ranges above, the shorts and leggings are listed in the same sizes: for example, Form and Refine in XS to XL, and Edge in S to 2XL. Sizes differ between ranges, so check each listing before you choose. Our size guide and our notes on finding your Ancarta fit can help if you are between sizes.
What is the quick version?
- Decide how much coverage you want for sitting, kneeling and folding forward.
- Check where your top's hem falls over shorts and over leggings.
- Think about the whole day, and whether you need pockets.
- Compare each listing's fabric blend and waistband details as well as length.
- If you can't choose, pick a colour that comes in both.
See the Form Shorts and Form Leggings in Mocha, or the Refine Shorts and Refine Leggings in Deep Ocean.
Every woman who loves to move is welcome to apply to be an Ancarta Brand Rep, and we read every application personally. Read how the programme works and the terms, then apply now by messaging @ancarta.co on Instagram or emailing support@ancarta.co.