Varley Estrella Legging in Saharan Cheetah Review

Author's Rating - 9.1 /  10

PROS / Designed for high impact workouts, Varley Estrella Legging provides tons of muscles support. The fabric is four-way stretch allowing full mobility. In addition, it is moisture-wicking and quick dry.
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CONS / The waistband slightly digs in to the skin. The fabric provides too much compression for yoga (not really a bad thing since it is meant to be high compression).

BOTTOM LINE / Varley Estrella Legging has me covered in high impact workouts with great muscles support and body hugging sensation. Not only is the high compression fabric four-way stretch, it is also sweat wicking. It keeps me stay cool during sweaty exercises. Moreover, it gives the butt a nice lift. 

Hsiaolin Yoga -

Stay Focused and Avoid Fidgeting.
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Not only does Ashtanga Yoga teach me the discipline, but it also trains me to be still and to stay focused. Being disciplined is to have a consistent and regular practice. It is never easy to wake up every morning and spend nearly two hours on the mat before getting ready for work. A home practitioner needs to be even more disciplined than one practicing at a studio. Being still and avoid fidgeting throughout the practice is another challenge. How to stay focused? I bet a lot of yogis, including myself, lose the focus before or while doing challenging poses. That's when I start fidgeting and wondering around. A pose that is supposed to be done within couple minutes easily drags for twenty minutes. Does that sound familiar to you? It happens more frequently when practicing the Intermediate Series than the Primary Series as the level of the challenge increases.

​What I have been working on lately is to avoid fidgeting in my practicing, especially when I am about to do kapotasana. I usually spend twenty minutes to "prepare" myself for the deep backbend, such as quads stretching and shoulders opening. Is it really necessary? Probably not. The fear and unwillingness keep me from staying focused. It's all in my head. There is no doubt that kapotasana is hard and vulnerable, but dragging the practice is not going to make it easier. In reality, the preparation work can only help so much. The best antidote is the "Repetition." Instead of preparing my body / mind for kapotasana and spending twenty minutes, just do it repeatedly (three times). Doing so, I stop wondering around. I am able to stay in tune with my body, to avoid fidgeting, and to make progress in kapotasana in each repetition. It is not easy, but that's what the Intermediate Series is about, look inward and feel the energy flow through Nadi Shodhasan (the mind and body connection).

About Varley - 

I believe quite a few of you are familiar with Varley. This is not my first time sharing their leggings. I will refer you to my previous reviews to find out more about the brand. 

Details of Varley Estrella Legging in Sahara Cheetah - 

Top: Niyama Sol The X-Back Sports Bra, Black, S (true to size, I am between 32B-34B).
Bottom: Varley Estrella Legging, Sahara Cheetah, XS (true to size).

Varley continues to impress me with their activewear. They never stop improving the performance and fit. I love their leggings, and more so each season. The only "complaint" I have is that they are too expensive and rarely on sale. Lucky enough, I was able to purchase Varley Estrella Legging in Sahara Cheetah print at a discounted price. Though it is still pricey, it's worth it. Let's take a look of Varley Estrella Legging.
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1. Size – It is true to size. I wear an XS. For your reference, I normally wear Lululemon size 4.

2. Style – 7/8 length legging. 

3. Inseam –  26" long. It is perfect ankle length for my height (I am 5'2"). 
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4. Front Rise – 10.5" high rise.

​5. Waistband – 4-3/4" with a 3/8" encased elastic band.

​​6. Fabric – 71% Polyamide and 29% Elastane. It is high compression.
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7. Design for – High impact workouts, including Tabata, HIIT, and running.

​8. Cost – Retail price is $110. I paid $72.11 including CA tax. It is currently on sale at Varley, but small sizes are sold out.

9. Stitch Seam – Flatlocking seams.

10. Crotch Seam​ – Lined triangle gusset.

The legging is made in China.
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​Performance - 
Made with the high compression fabric, Varley Estrella Legging provides tons of muscles support for high intensity exercises. In addition to that, the sleek fabric helps me stay cool and dry. It is four-way stretch, sweat wicking and fast dry. The leggings covers everything I need for sweaty high impact workouts. You could wear the legging for power yoga, but I find it too much compression for the Mysore practice.

Quality - 
The legging is sewn with flatlocking stitches and there is a lined gusset for reinforcement. The legging is completely opaque. It also hides sweat stains. Varley has great quality control for their products, which is expected for the price point. I've been wearing the legging for over three months, and there is no discoloration and pilling observed. It also retains the shape well after several wears and washes.

Fit - 
It is true to size and I wear my regular size XS. I like the 7/8 length as it sits around my ankle without extra fabric gathering (I am 5'2"). The legging hugs my body very well and shapes the butt nicely. Overall, it gives a flattering fit, but the pattern does not create the most leggy look on me. The high waist provides great coverage and support; however, the encased elastic band is not my favorite because it doesn't completely hide the muffin top like the flat waistband does (elastic free). 

Comfort - 
The compression makes me feel supported during the workout, but it could be too much restriction while shelter-in-place, lounging at home. Although the encased elastic band doesn't hide the muffin top, it doesn't bother me as much compared to other leggings with the same waistband design. The fabric is silky soft, and it gives a sleek touch against the skin. 

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I recommend Varley Estrella Legging for high impact workouts. It is well made. It covers all the needs for sweaty exercises, including four-way stretch, moisture wicking and fast dry properties. While the high compression fabric provides muscles support for high intensity workouts, it is not designed for yoga and lounging. The legging gives a flattering look and shapes the butt well, but the pattern does not create the most leggy look on me.

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