Leggings & Bike Shorts

Why leggings are the hardest thing to buy for a tween

Ask any Australian mum what she struggles most to buy for a girl this age and the answer is usually leggings. They need to stay up. They need to cover properly. They must not go see-through when she bends over. And she has to actually want to wear them.

That last part is the bit most brands forget, and the first three are the bits most brands get wrong.

What's in this collection

• Girls Activewear Leggings – Bella — full-length, high-waisted, fully opaque. Four-way stretch that recovers its shape, so no saggy knees by the end of the school day.
• Girls High-Waist Bike Shorts – Ashley — mid-thigh, with a woven branded waistband that doesn't roll down. Our most-reviewed piece.

Both are cut for tween proportions rather than scaled down from adult sizing, and both come in sizes 8Y to 13-14Y.

Bike shorts or leggings?

Bike shorts finish mid-thigh and suit warm weather, dance, gymnastics, netball and summer sport. Leggings give more coverage and warmth for cooler months, running and school PE.

Plenty of families end up with both — shorts for summer, leggings for winter — and the colours are designed to work across the range so pieces mix rather than compete.

Frequently asked questions

Will the leggings go see-through when she bends over?
No. Opacity is the thing we test for before anything goes into the range, and it's the thing our reviewers mention more than any other. "Really nice fabric that's not see through" is a direct quote from a customer.

Are the bike shorts long enough?
Mid-thigh. Long enough that she isn't tugging at them, short enough that they don't read as full shorts. The length is deliberate and it's the same reason we don't make anything shorter.

What size should I buy?
Go by height, waist and hip rather than age — our size guide has the measurements. If she's between sizes, size up. You get longer wear and the fit carries it well.

How do I make them last?
Cold machine wash, gentle cycle, hang to dry. Skip the dryer and fabric softener — both break down the stretch fibres over time.

Can she wear them for swimming?
They're made for land. The quick-dry fabric is fine for a beach or poolside warm-up, but they aren't swimwear and shouldn't be worn in the pool.

Are they suitable for sensitive skin?
The fabrics are chosen for softness and are free from harsh finishes, so they suit most sensitive skin. If she has a specific allergy, check the fabric composition on the product page or just email us and ask.