Adanola has built a cult following around the Ultimate Leggings — matte, thick, no see-through, good compression. But the sizing is non-standard and confuses almost everyone buying for the first time.
Do Adanola leggings run small?
Yes, but unevenly. The waistband runs small. The leg runs true to size. That combination means if you're between sizes, always go up.
The waistband is high-rise and structured. It gives less than you'd expect and sits firmly at the natural waist. Women who usually buy a UK 10 consistently find the Adanola Small sits lower than expected or digs in if their waist is above 28".
Adanola vs standard UK sizing
| UK size | Adanola size | Waist (cm) | Hip (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6–8 | XS | 60–65 | 86–90 |
| 8–10 | S | 65–70 | 90–95 |
| 10–12 | M | 70–76 | 95–100 |
| 12–14 | L | 76–82 | 100–106 |
| 14–16 | XL | 82–88 | 106–112 |
Community finding: Most women size up one from their usual UK size, especially if they have a waist above 28" or hips above 38".
Which body shapes work best in Adanola
Hourglass and straight shapes — The Ultimate Leggings suit a proportional waist-to-hip ratio best. The compression is even across the body and the high waist creates definition without pulling.
Pear shapes — Size for your hips. The leg has enough stretch that going up one size won't create excess fabric below the knee.
Apple shapes — The structured waistband can feel uncomfortable if you carry weight at the midriff. The Soft Ultimate Leggings (slightly different fabric) is the more comfortable option.
The fabric: what to expect
The classic Ultimate Leggings use a thick ribbed-effect fabric that holds shape well but takes 2–3 washes to soften. Don't judge fit fresh out of the bag — wear them once before deciding to return.
Styling note
The matte finish and thick fabric mean these photograph extremely well, which is most of why they've taken over Instagram. In practice, the compression is firm rather than gentle. If you want a lighter feel for yoga or Pilates, look at the Adanola Soft range instead.
For a personalised size recommendation based on your measurements, take the Forre fit quiz.