From the viral Peter Thomas Roth eye cream to the Clinique Almost Lipstick, TikTok has been known to create such a buzz around products that they completely sell out.
That's what happened back in 2020 after a TikTok user posted a video wearing the Aerie Crossover Leggings. The clip went mega-viral, causing the pants to completely sell out and become nearly impossible to get (In fact, a spokesperson for the brand previously told us that as a result, the leggings sold out over six times and at one point racked up a waitlist of more than 156,000 people.)
And even all these years later, the hype for the leggings has not died down. Multiple editors say that they swear by the crossover styles from the brand — and they even made the top 10 in NBC Select's recent ranking of the 50 best leggings of 2025.
Below, we're sharing everything you need to know about why shoppers and editors love the leggings so much and all the Aerie Crossover styles worth shopping.
Offline By Aerie Real Me High Waisted Crossover Legging
- Soft
- Not see through
- Some say material is thin
Sizes: XXS - XXL | Colors: 10 | Lengths: Short, regular, long
Why we love the Aerie Real Me Crossover Leggings
Their comfort level is unmatched
At the heart of all of Aerie's viral crossover leggings is the brand's No. 1 bestselling Real Me fabric, which is described as being smooth with a matte finish. Reviewers have said that it feels "buttery soft" and "so comfortable."
And there are plenty of other things to love about the leggings."I don't know if it's the fabric, the crossover waistband, the silhouette or some combination of all three, but they're kind of magical," says Shop TODAY senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil. "They're lightweight rather than uncomfortably compressive — yet they're more flattering than much more expensive leggings I own."
After the success of the original crossover leggings, the brand also released a flared version.
Offline By Aerie Real Me High Waisted Crossover Flare Legging
- Available in different lengths
- Flattering fit
- Comfortable
- Size up for comfort
Sizes: XXS — XXL | Colors: Seven | Lengths: Short, regular, long
Flare pants, in general, have made a big comeback over the last couple of years and we've seen the style seep into the athleisure world. While most of us know the classic flared workout bottoms better as "yoga pants," many of the young TikTokers who brought the style back are now referring to them as "flared leggings."
While one former Shop TODAY editor said she was reluctant to try the style, as soon as she put the leggings on, she understood why they were so popular. "The [crossover] waistband made me feel confident when I pulled them on," she shared.
The unique waistband is super flattering
Production associate Audrey Ekman says that her obsession with the leggings "runs deep."
"I picked up my first pair three years ago and have since accumulated two more in different colors. I'm not usually a leggings person, but something about the crossover waistband is so flattering that I've been convinced. They're breathable, buttery soft and are stretchy without being transparent. Plus, they never give me the dreaded cameltoe that other leggings can, and I love the flared bottom that actually fits my 5-foot-1 frame (I chose the 'short' length)."
How we tried the Aerie Real Me Crossover Leggings
According to the brand, they’re also quick-drying and have four-way stretch, which makes them great for workouts — a claim our staffers put to the test.
Ashley Morris, an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, shared in her review of the leggings that she appreciates their breathability while exercising and lounging.
“I’ve worn them in the gym and on errands for hours at a time, and haven’t felt overheated or sweat-drenched even once — the fabric wicks moisture almost as soon as it appears, which means that I can skip dealing with the sweat-induced chafing or itchiness that I’ve experienced from other pairs,” she says.
What to consider
As mentioned, the support in these leggings err on the lighter side, so if you're someone who wants more compression instead of that second-skin feel, they might not be for you.
Also, these leggings frequently sell out, and since Aerie is having a big sale right now, it's the perfect time to grab one of the shopper and editor-loved pairs — or both!
How we chose
We chose to highlight the items included in this article because they are trending and are editor-loved items.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
