7 major brands told us their best-selling leggings and the list is way more satisfying than today’s Oscar noms

Science says what you wear can influence your behavior, a claim to which every person who's ever, you know, gotten dressed for a date, an interview, or a hip-hop dance class, responds "duh."

Personally, I spend more time trying on slouchy-sexy-cool outfits before a dance class than I do actually learning how to dance. When I get it right, I feel like Beyoncé. When I don't, I feel like a middle-aged lady who takes class once a month trying to hold her own with real dancers young enough to be her daughter. Which is what I am. But I digress…

Following this logic—that an outfit which makes you feel most like a badass may help you behave most like a badass, too—I've wondered if the same might be true for wearing something that's the *best,* too. Will buying the best enable you to become the best?

With this half-baked theory in mind, I've scouted the best-selling leggings from (what else?) seven of the best athletic wear brands around. If one of these magically transforms you into Serena Williams, I get 10 percent (JK). If they don't, well, you've still got some damn good outfitting happening north of your ankles.

Photo: Athleta

This soft, high-rise yoga pant features something called a CoolMax crotch gusset (giggle, giggle), AKA a lining which allows your vag to take in some air as you workout. All I'm going to say about that is yes. It comes in a wide range of sizes and colorways and additionally boasts barely-there pockets for stashing keys and cards or just looking cool.

Photo: Lululemon

This super-soft legging—which comes in 16 different colorways—is optimized for yoga wear, but I prefer to test mine out in the bedroom. You can be "the best" at sleep, right?

Photo: Reebok

Sometimes I'm partial to basic black leggings because I don't like to be super conspicuous when I'm dropping out of plank or otherwise cheating a tough workout (AKA, being not the best). Also, I like to throw them on with a sweater to do basically everything else in my life—run errands, brunch with friends, go on second dates with guys I know I'm not into because my biological clock is deafening, etc. This is the perfect pair for these and all other purposes—comfortable, durable, affordable, and cute to boot.

Photo: Alala

Ditto here regarding all black everything, but this flare-ified, bestselling Mirage Tight allows for some blending at the barre without being a total bore. And, it has pockets! If you're like me and hate bringing anything into class but your keys and maybe a credit card, you know how clutch this detail can be.

Photo: Adidas

Even 1,000 crunches a day couldn't make me feel as sexy as a high-waisted legging (I assume, but will absolutely never know for certain). This pant is of the wear-everyday variety, with a comfy fit, understated mesh panel accent, and black colorway option. For spring, I'm kinda into the more jazz hands-y green version, though.

Photo: Beyond Yoga

This is another high-waisted staple pant. Its titular spacedye adds a little something in terms of style, and there are enough hues available to take you through winter to spring and summer into fall and back.

Photo: Sweaty Betty

If you're a ClassPass gal who likes to vary her sweat sessions—alternating between spinning, HIIT, boxing, strip hop, and whatever—this might be the legging for you. It's built to accommodate a range of workouts and make you look good in the process via strategically-placed seams. The newest version of this style has a side pocket for ultra-cool phone placement en route to the juice shop after.

Feeling frozen this winter? Try the leggings equivalent of a sweater to keep your gams in the game. Plus, ever wondered why you love leggings so much? One fashion editor has the answer.