I Tried the Free Leggings Everyone Is Talking About

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(Image credit: Girlfriend Collective )

Welcome to the latest edition of the series in which we'll cover a variety of affordable basics that we turn to time and time again. We hope that The Basics will help you to build your closet with pieces that you too will wear on repeat without doing harm to your bank account. We already covered the $30 pants that I consider life-changing and the $100 cashmere sweater that makes my wardrobe look expensive. Next up, I'm sharing my experience with the leggings that one brand is currently giving away for free. 

When I heard last year that a new brand, Girlfriend Collective, was giving their leggings away for free, I was admittedly skeptical. Why would they do that? Are they any good? What's the catch? Naturally, the buzz has been loud since their launch last spring, so I was eager to give them a try. I'll start by telling you that since I got my hands on them, they've quickly risen to the top of my (literal) heap of leggings, thanks in large part to how utterly flattering they are (more on that later). 

To answer the questions you probably have about Girlfriend Collective, I did a little digging. The brand launched the promotion to generate buzz (they've succeeded) prior to the launch of their full collection (coming soon!) and let customers fall in love with them before investing. For the cost of shipping ($19.95, since they're shipping straight from Vietnam), Girlfriend Collective will send you a pair of black leggings in your selected size after you redeem the offer via email and share it on your Facebook page. The leggings themselves have plenty of great qualities: They're eco-friendly (made with recycled water bottles) and fair trade, are shaping yet comfortable, and feature a quick-drying fabric that keeps you warm when it's cold and cool when it's hot. I could go on all day, but find out more about what they have going for them here.

What really sold me on Girlfriend Collective's leggings is that they're devoid of frills, making them appropriate for both streetwear and working out, and they're one of the most flattering pairs of leggings I own. The ultra-high 12-inch rise makes my legs look longer than they ever have—which is saying a lot for my 5'4" frame—and the fabric is soft yet slimming. 

The promotion to receive the leggings for just the cost of shipping ends February 3 at 11:59pm PST and after that, they'll go up to $70 (but shipping will be less, as they'll come from a warehouse in the U.S.). I can say without hesitation that I'd gladly pay $70 for them. 

Keep scrolling to find out what makes Girlfriend Collective's leggings so amazing, see yours truly wearing them, and shop a few ways to style them. 

The Facts:

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Me Wearing the Leggings:

Get Them Here:

Shop Outfits Featuring the Leggings: 

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Pictured Above: Madewell Embroidered Eye Hoodie Sweatshirt ($75); Girlfriend Collective Leggings ($0); Adidas Superstar Sneakers in White/Rose Gold ($80).

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Pictured Above: Topshop Moto Embroidered Borg Jacket ($170, similar style here); Re/Done | Hanes 1950s Boxy Tee in Sand ($78); Girlfriend Collective Leggings ($0); Madewell Elinor Loafers ($158).

Related: The $30 Pants That One Editor Calls "Life-Changing"

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Pictured Above: Alo Idol Bomber Down Jacket ($168); Outdoor Voices Athena Crop Top ($50); Girlfriend Collective Leggings ($0); Nike Free TR 6 Sneakers ($75).

Have you tried Girlfriend Collective leggings yet? Tell us what you think in the comments below, and check out more legging reviews here!

Opening Image: @girlfriendcollective

Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.