Here's The Truth About Fleece-Lined Leggings

Fashion trends may have ditched skinny jeans in favor of wider bottoms recently, but many of us still can't part ways with our leggings. They're comfy, versatile, and yes, they can double as pants. No matter your style, there are plenty of ways to wear leggings. You can dress them up, dress them down, or just throw them on when heading to the gym. The options are practically endless.

Though leggings are known to be thin, they even work on cold-weather days when lined with fleece. Fleece-lined leggings offer the skin-hugging look of leggings but with a hidden layer of warm, fluffy fleece (or fleece-like fabric) underneath. This brushed interior locks in warmth while blocking cold wind from piercing your skin.

Fleece-lined leggings are the ultimate winter fashion staple, and they're useful during chilly transitional weather too. But before you get too hooked on your fleece-lined leggings, there are a couple things you should know.

Though fleece-lined leggings look cute, what's happening underneath isn't so cute. Fleece-lined leggings are extra toasty, trapping heat to help keep you cozy on cold days. But in doing so, these leggings are also likely to trap sweat. Research shows that synthetic and tight clothes, such as leggings, combined with sweat make it easy for bacteria to thrive. Then, you may find yourself with an uncomfortable yeast infection. Not only that, but this sweat and bacteria can also lead to skin issues. Verywell Health notes that butt acne and skin inflammation is commonly caused by tight bottoms made of moisture-trapping fabrics.

If your fleece-lined leggings are working well to keep you warm and protected from the elements, just know that they could be contributing to some health issues underneath too. The best way to protect yourself from infections and skin irritation is to wash your leggings regularly and rotate through bottoms (rather than sticking to just one pair of leggings all week). And unless your leggings have a sweat-absorbing liner, it's best to wear underwear to protect against infections (per Well+Good). That way, you stay both healthy and cozy even on the coldest days.