Quick answer: Follow the care line on each product page, because fiber changes the rules: our 100% cotton capris ask for hand washing and flat drying, while the polyester-heavy bootcut leggings, curvy fit yoga pant and petite pant are all listed as machine wash. When a page gives two methods, use the gentler one.
Care instructions are the least-read part of any product page and the most common reason activewear ages early. Legletic pages do publish them — this guide collects the real care lines from our top sellers, sorted by fabric type, and flags the one product whose page gives two different answers.
Cotton: gentler than you would guess
Our best-selling Women Loose Cotton Capris ($39.99) are 100% cotton, and the page is specific: to keep them in good condition, hand wash and lay flat to dry. That is stricter than most people treat cotton, but it is what the maker recommends for this garment. The same instruction appears on the sister style, the Comfy Cotton Capris ($34.99): a gentle hand wash and flat drying.
Synthetics and blends: built for the machine
Polyester-dominant pieces in our range are consistently listed as machine washable:
- Bootcut Yoga Pants ($29.99) — 30% cotton, 60% polyester, 10% spandex; machine wash, pull-on closure.
- Curvy Fit Yoga Pant ($39.99) — 88% polyester, 12% spandex; machine wash, with quick-drying moisture-wicking fabric per the page.
- Petite Flat-Front Pant ($34.99) — 63% polyester, 33% rayon, 4% spandex; machine wash.
Denim gets the fullest instructions in the store. The Mid Rise Baggy Jeans ($34.99) page lists five steps: machine wash cold with similar colors, turn inside out before washing, use mild detergent, avoid strong bleach products, tumble dry.
The special case: one page, two care lines
The sherpa-lined sweatpants ($34.99) deserve an honest note. The product page lists both machine wash, hang dry in its fabric line and hand wash only under care instructions. We are not going to pretend the page says one thing when it says both. Our recommendation: when a listing gives two methods, default to the gentler one — hand wash and hang dry. A thick sherpa lining has the most to lose from aggressive washing, and the gentle route is never the wrong call.
Care lines at a glance
| Cotton Capris (100% cotton) | Hand wash; lay flat to dry. |
|---|---|
| Bootcut Yoga Pants (30/60/10 cotton-poly-spandex) | Machine wash. |
| Curvy Fit Yoga Pant (88/12 poly-spandex) | Machine wash; page notes fast-drying fabric. |
| Baggy Jeans (stretch denim) | Machine wash cold, inside out, mild detergent, no strong bleach, tumble dry. |
| Sherpa Sweatpants | Page lists both machine wash, hang dry and hand wash only — we suggest the gentler option. |
Why fiber changes the rules
As a general rule, natural fibers like cotton can relax or shrink with heat and agitation, which is why flat drying keeps a loose cotton silhouette true. Synthetics such as polyester and spandex are more dimensionally stable, so makers approve machine washing more freely. That general pattern is exactly what our product pages reflect: the one pure-cotton item gets the most protective instructions, and the blends get the most relaxed ones.
Frequently asked questions
How should I wash the Legletic cotton capris?
The product page recommends hand washing and laying them flat to dry to keep the 100% cotton fabric in good condition.
Are the bootcut yoga pants machine washable?
Yes. The page lists machine wash for the 30% cotton, 60% polyester, 10% spandex blend.
The sherpa sweatpants page mentions two care methods — which do I follow?
The page lists both machine wash, hang dry and hand wash only. When a listing gives both, we recommend the gentler route: hand wash and hang dry.
How do I wash the baggy jeans?
Per the page: machine wash cold with similar colors, turn them inside out first, use mild detergent, avoid strong bleach products, then tumble dry.
Do care instructions really differ per product?
Yes. Even within one store, the pure cotton capris ask for hand washing while polyester-heavy styles are listed as machine wash — always check the care line on the specific product page.
More Legletic guides
- Loose cotton capris — fit, fabric and sizing guide
- Fleece-lined and sherpa-lined pants explained
- Bootcut yoga pants buying guide
- Women's pants size chart guide
All care instructions are quoted from the named legletic.com product pages as of publication; where a page lists two methods we say so rather than choosing for it. Prices may change — see each product page for the latest details.