Featured photograph: Form Flared Leggings in Mocha.
The line from knee to hem can change the whole outline of an outfit. A flared leg opens out towards the shoe; a fitted leg keeps a closer line through the lower leg. Start with that difference when you are choosing your next pair, then look at the waistband and the clothes you already like wearing.
Two current Ancarta styles make the comparison clear: Form Flared Leggings in Mocha and Skye Leggings in Slate. Here is what to notice in each, with styling ideas to try for yourself.
Form flares: a wider finish at the hem
The Form Flared Leggings in Mocha have a full-length flared shape and a mid-rise V-shaped crossover waistband. The product photographs show a closer line through the upper leg that widens below the knee, with the hem falling over part of the trainers.
That wider finish gives the lower half of the outfit more volume. If you want the shape of the waistband to stay visible, try a shorter top or a layer worn open. If you prefer more coverage, compare it with a longer top and see where the two hems meet.
Mocha is a warm brown. Cream, white or another brown are colours you could try alongside it using pieces already in your wardrobe. These are styling suggestions; the product photograph shows the matching Mocha outfit.
Fitted Skye: a closer line through the leg
The Skye Leggings in Slate have a full-length fitted shape and a high-rise waistband. In the product photograph, the lower leg stays narrow, with white socks worn over the leggings.
Try this shape when you want the outline of your socks or shoes to be more visible. A roomy sweatshirt can add volume above the closer-fitting leg; a shorter top keeps more of the waistband in view. Compare both with a top you already own before deciding which proportion you prefer.
Slate is a grey shade. A pale top keeps the colour combination quiet, while a stronger colour can become the focus. Choose the combination you would reach for on an ordinary day.
Compare the waistband as well as the hem
These two styles differ at both ends: Form has a mid-rise crossover waistband, while Skye has a high-rise waistband. Consider how each would sit with your favourite top and which rise you prefer wearing. The flare alone does not tell you how the waist will feel on you.
Keep the size decision separate from the styling choice. Use the measurements and fit notes for the exact piece; our guide to finding your Ancarta fit explains where to start.
Make the choice with your own wardrobe
Pick one top and the shoes you expect to wear most. Picture each leggings shape with those same pieces, then decide which detail matters more to you: the wider hem, the closer lower leg, the crossover front or the higher rise.
There is room for either shape in an everyday wardrobe. Choose the one you can already imagine wearing in your own way.