The Best Legging Brands for Hip Dips: Honest Comparison

How Brands Compare for Hip Dips

Not all legging brands are equal when it comes to hip dips. Some invest in compression, strategic design features, and matte finishes that reduce the visibility of the trochanteric depression. Others prioritize thinness, shine, and a "naked feel" that reveals every contour.

This article compares 10 major legging brands on the specific features that matter for hip dips, with honest ratings and direct recommendations.

The Rating Criteria

Each brand is rated on five features that affect hip dip visibility:

  • Compression: How firmly the fabric compresses and smooths the hip contour. More compression = better for hip dips.
  • Waist design: Whether the waistband creates a visual lift at the lateral hip (V-cut, cross-waist) or a neutral line. V-cut and cross-waist = better for hip dips.
  • Fabric finish: Whether the fabric is matte (absorbs light, reduces contour visibility) or shiny (reflects light, increases contour visibility). Matte = better.
  • Fabric thickness: Thicker fabric provides more visual smoothing. Thin fabric reveals more contour.
  • Built-in shaping: Whether the legging has panels or reinforcements at the lateral hip specifically. Built-in = better.

The Brand Rankings

1. Gymshark (Best Overall for Hip Dips)

Compression: Excellent. Vital Seamless and Adapt lines provide firm, even compression across the hip.

Waist design: Excellent. V-cut waistband is standard across most Gymshark leggings, lifting the eye at the lateral hip.

Fabric finish: Good. Matte finish on most styles.

Fabric thickness: Good. Thicker than Aligns but thinner than Spanx.

Built-in shaping: No. Relies on compression and design, not panels.

Price range: $35-$65

Best styles: Vital Seamless 2.0 (V-cut waistband, high compression), Adapt (seamless, compression).

Best for: All-around legging wear — workouts, casual, everyday.

Honest verdict: The best legging brand for hip dips at any price. The combination of V-cut design, firm compression, and matte finish addresses the three most important factors for minimizing dip visibility. The price is mid-range and the quality is good.

2. Spanx (Best Built-In Shaping)

Compression: Excellent. Spanx is a shapewear company first; their leggings have the most compression of any brand on this list.

Waist design: Good. High-waisted but typically straight (not V-cut).

Fabric finish: Good. Matte finish on most styles.

Fabric thickness: Thick. Spanx leggings are the thickest on this list.

Built-in shaping: Excellent. Some Spanx leggings have lateral hip compression panels designed to smooth the dip area.

Price range: $55-$98

Best styles: Look at Me Now (built-in hip shaping), Get Moving (high compression).

Best for: Maximum smoothing under all conditions, everyday wear where compression is valued over comfort.

Honest verdict: The best legging for someone who wants the maximum smoothing effect from their leggings alone. The compression is noticeable during wear — you will be aware you are wearing Spanx. Worth it for the result.

3. Lululemon Wunder Train (Best Premium Option)

Compression: Good. Everlux fabric provides firm, even compression that smooths without discomfort.

Waist design: Good. High-waisted with a straight waistband (V-cut available but less effective than Gymshark).

Fabric finish: Excellent. Matte finish that genuinely reduces light reflection on the hip contour.

Fabric thickness: Good. Moderate thickness, enough for smoothing without being hot.

Built-in shaping: No. Relies on compression only.

Price range: $88-$118

Best styles: Wunder Train (Everlux fabric, compression), Contour Fit (specifically cut for curvier body shapes).

Honest verdict: The best Lululemon legging for hip dips. The compression and matte finish are significantly better for the dip than the Align line. The price is high, but the quality and durability justify it for regular wear.

4. Old Navy PowerPress (Best Budget Option)

Compression: Good. Firm compression at a fraction of the price of premium brands.

Waist design: Moderate. Straight high waistband. No V-cut, but the height covers the dip area.

Fabric finish: Moderate. Matte-ish, not as effective as premium matte finishes.

Fabric thickness: Moderate. Acceptable thickness for the price.

Built-in shaping: No.

Price range: $25-$45

Best styles: PowerPress (their compression line), Extra High-Waisted (more coverage over the dip).

Honest verdict: The best value on the market. The compression is in the same league as premium brands at less than half the price. The trade-offs are durability (shorter lifespan) and less refined design features.

5. Alo Yoga Airbrush (Best Thick Fabric)

Compression: Good. The Airbrush line is Alo's thickest, most compressive fabric.

Waist design: Moderate. Straight high waist.

Fabric finish: Moderate. Alo fabrics tend to be slightly shinier than Gymshark or Lululemon.

Fabric thickness: Thick. The Airbrush fabric is genuinely thick, providing visual coverage.

Built-in shaping: No.

Price range: $82-$92

Best styles: Airbrush High-Waist (thickest fabric, best compression).

Honest verdict: A solid option for hip dips, particularly the Airbrush line. The thick fabric provides coverage that thinner options (including Alo's own Airlift line) do not. Worth the price if you specifically want a thick, compressive legging with a premium brand feel.

6. Aerie Real Me (Best Budget Cross-Waist)

Compression: Moderate. Real Me fabric is lightweight — less compression than Gymshark or Old Navy.

Waist design: Good. The cross-waist design creates a defined waist-to-hip transition.

Fabric finish: Moderate. Slightly shiny.

Fabric thickness: Thin. Real Me is Aerie's lightweight, "buttery soft" fabric.

Built-in shaping: No.

Price range: $25-$45

Best styles: Real Me Cross-Waist (cross-waist design), OFFLINE Real Me High-Waisted.

Honest verdict: The cross-waist design is genuinely effective for hip dips — it creates a visual anchor at the waist that draws the eye up and away from the dip. The trade-off is the lightweight fabric, which provides less compression and more contour visibility than a heavier legging. Best as an everyday, comfort-focused option.

7. Beyond Yoga Spacedye (Best for Comfort with Moderate Coverage)

Compression: Moderate. Spacedye is soft, not compressive — it will not smooth a pronounced dip.

Waist design: Good. High-waisted with V-cut options.

Fabric finish: Good. The heathered fabric breaks up the visual surface.

Fabric thickness: Moderate. Acceptable coverage.

Built-in shaping: No.

Price range: $72-$99

Best styles: Spacedye High-Waisted, Spacedye Cross-Waist.

Honest verdict: The heathered fabric is the standout feature — the visual texture genuinely helps break up the contour and reduce dip visibility. The compression is weak, so a pronounced dip will still show. Best for someone with a moderate dip who prioritizes comfort.

8. CRZ YOGA (Amazon) (Best Ultra-Budget Option)

Compression: Moderate. Similar to the Lululemon Align in feel — minimal compression.

Waist design: Moderate. Straight high waist.

Fabric finish: Moderate. Slightly shiny.

Fabric thickness: Thin. CRZ YOGA is a "buttery soft" dupe of the Align — same thinness, same limitations for hip dips.

Built-in shaping: No.

Price range: $20-$32

Best styles: Ribbed High-Waisted (the ribbed fabric provides visual texture that helps break up the contour).

Honest verdict: A budget option that performs like a budget option. The ribbed version is better for hip dips than the smooth version because the texture masks the contour. For $25, it is an acceptable option when budget is the primary constraint.

9. Girlfriend Collective (Best Sustainable Option)

Compression: Good. Their compressive fabric is firm and even.

Waist design: Moderate. Straight high waist.

Fabric finish: Moderate. Slightly shiny.

Fabric thickness: Acceptable. Moderate thickness, adequate for coverage.

Built-in shaping: No.

Price range: $58-$78

Best styles: Compressive High-Rise, FLOAT Ultra High-Rise.

Honest verdict: A solid sustainable option with genuine compression. The contour seams (seams running along the lateral hip) create a visual line that can help break up the dip area. Worth considering if sustainability matters to you.

10. Athleta Elation (Best for Everyday Wear)

Compression: Good. Powervita fabric provides firm, even compression.

Waist design: Good. High-waisted.

Fabric finish: Good. Matte.

Fabric thickness: Good. Moderate-to-thick, adequate coverage.

Built-in shaping: No.

Price range: $79-$89

Best styles: Elation High-Waisted, Salutation High-Waisted.

Honest verdict: A solid everyday legging with genuine compression. Comparable to the Lululemon Wunder Train in quality and compression, with a slightly thicker fabric. Worth the price for regular wear.

Direct Comparisons

Best Overall: Gymshark Vital Seamless vs Lululemon Wunder Train

For hip dips specifically: Gymshark Vital Seamless. The V-cut waistband is the differentiating feature — it lifts the eye at the lateral hip in a way that the straight waistband of the Wunder Train does not.

For overall quality and durability: Lululemon Wunder Train. Better fabric, better construction, lasts longer.

Verdict: Buy Gymshark for the best hip dip result at any price. Buy Lululemon Wunder Train for the best premium legging that also helps.

Best Budget: Old Navy PowerPress vs Aerie Real Me

For hip dips specifically: Old Navy PowerPress. The compression is significantly better, which is the most important factor for reducing dip visibility.

For comfort: Aerie Real Me Cross-Waist. The lightweight fabric is more comfortable for all-day wear.

Verdict: Buy Old Navy PowerPress for the best value compression legging. Buy Aerie Real Me Cross-Waist for an everyday comfort option.

Best Built-In Shaping: Spanx Look at Me Now vs Alo Airbrush

For maximum smoothing: Spanx Look at Me Now. Built-in shaping panels.

For general wear: Alo Airbrush. The compression is good and the fabric is comfortable.

Verdict: Buy Spanx if your primary goal is maximum smoothing from the legging alone. Buy Alo if you want thick fabric with good compression and a premium feel.

A Final Note

The best legging brand for hip dips depends on your priorities:

  • Maximum smoothing: Spanx Look at Me Now
  • Best all-around: Gymshark Vital Seamless
  • Best premium feel: Lululemon Wunder Train
  • Best value: Old Navy PowerPress
  • Best for comfort: Beyond Yoga Spacedye
  • Best budget: CRZ YOGA Ribbed

Match the brand to your priority, and you will get a legging that serves your body well. There is no single "best" — there is the best for you.