There's that precise moment, in the middle of a yoga session, during a squat, or simply while sitting down, when leggings become the enemy. They chafe on the inner thigh. The waistband slips with every Chaturanga. And in Downward Dog, you feel everyone's gaze on something you clearly didn't intend to show.
We've all been there. And we've all sought the same holy grail: leggings you forget you're wearing. Not just "comfortable." Truly forgotten. Like a second skin.
"The perfect leggings aren't seen. They aren't felt. They disappear with you."
For several years now, two terms have dominated product descriptions and TikTok feeds: Nulu fabric and buttery soft. Everyone uses them, few brands truly explain the difference. And many take advantage of this to sell you cheap illusions. This guide is the honest version.
The brushing technique: where does this "peach skin" feel come from?
Before comparing Nulu and buttery soft, it's important to understand why these fabrics are so different from leggings of ten years ago. Do you remember the shiny nylon leggings of the 2010s? That plasticky, slightly sticky surface that reflected light like compression stockings? The era of matte and soft changed everything, and the technical reason comes down to one word: brushing.
Fiber brushing is a mechanical finishing step in fabric production. A metal brush with bristles passes over the fabric's surface, "lifting" the fibers to create a slight microscopic fuzz. The result: a matte, uniform surface, and that unreal peach-skin feel that no one can truly describe other than "like butter."
This technique is the basis of all buttery soft materials on the market, including Lululemon's Nulu, which is ultimately just a premium version of this same family of brushed textiles. The difference between a good and a bad buttery soft doesn't lie in the name on the label. It comes down to three things: the quality of the base fiber, the fabric's density (grammage), and the care taken during the brushing step.
Nulu vs Butterluxe vs Elindra Yoga: the direct comparison
| Criterion | Nulu (premium) | Classic buttery soft | Elindra Yoga |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel | Silky, ultra-lightweight | Varies by price | Matte peach skin |
| Pilling resistance | Good | Low (short fibers) | Good |
| Compression | Light | Very light | Soft and supportive |
Why your leggings pill and how to truly prevent it
When short synthetic fibers wear out, they partially detach from their weave and roll up due to friction. The shorter the fiber, the faster this happens. The more the fabric is surface-brushed (meaning it has exposed microfibers), the greater the risk if the base fiber is of poor quality.
This is why we use Tencel (lyocell). Tencel is made from long natural fibers extracted from eucalyptus wood. Its fibers are inherently smoother and longer than standard polyester. When brushed, they achieve that characteristic softness, but the fibers remain firmly anchored in the fabric rather than detaching after the first wash.
Team compression or team absolute softness?
The real answer is that you don't have to choose. Light compression and buttery soft aren't opposed; they just require well-calibrated grammage. Too light, and you lose opacity. Too thick, and you lose that second-skin feel. The right grammage is what makes all the difference.
Care: the 3 golden rules never to break
🌊 Temperature — Cold wash, max 30°C, delicate cycle
🚫 Fabric softener — Never use fabric softener: it destroys elastane and dulls the fabric
💨 Drying — Flat drying: tumble drying destroys the shape
Fabric softener is the silent enemy of your leggings. It leaves a greasy film on the fibers which, over time, reduces elasticity and, paradoxically, makes the fabric less soft. If you find your leggings "losing their feel," fabric softener is often to blame.
Can you be soft AND truly opaque? The truth about grammage
This is THE topic that no one openly addresses in product descriptions. The transparency of cheap buttery soft leggings is not a bug; it's a direct consequence of an economic decision: to reduce grammage to lower material cost.
A lightweight fabric (150-190 g/m²) will always feel softer initially and be easier to sell in photos. But once worn, in motion, squatting or in a forward fold… transparency appears where the fabric stretches. And you end up checking your reflection in every mirror in the room.
Grammage is the number brands most often hide, because it tells the truth about the fabric's actual quality. Good yoga leggings that combine softness and complete opacity should weigh between 220 and 280 g/m². Below that, you're in the risk zone, regardless of the displayed price.
At Elindra Yoga, this is a non-negotiable commitment. Our yoga leggings are built with a grammage calibrated at 240 g/m², with a double-layered inner waistband.
Buttery soft fabric isn't a trend. It's a need
Sometimes a "trend" is just a word to describe when the industry finally starts listening to what people have been asking for years. Buttery soft is that. It wasn't born from a marketing campaign; it was born from millions of women posting "why do these leggings chafe" and "how do I find leggings I can't feel."
Contact comfort is a real science. When a fabric rubs against the skin instead of gliding with it, the nervous system constantly registers it, a constant micro-distraction that consumes mental energy. Good leggings, on the other hand, disappear. They let the body work, the mind focus, and the movement be fluid.
That's why buttery soft has supplanted the shiny nylon of the 2010s. Not because it looks pretty on Instagram. But because bodies, after an hour of Vinyasa, deserve better than to fight against their own clothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the real difference between Nulu and Buttery soft?
Nulu fabric is a premium brushed fiber developed by Lululemon. Buttery soft is a generic term for any brushed material mimicking this feel. The real difference lies in the grammage and quality of the fibers. A good, well-weighted buttery soft fabric (220-280 g/m²) can match Nulu's comfort while remaining opaque, whereas cheaper versions become transparent as soon as you squat.
Why do my leggings pill so quickly?
Pilling comes from short synthetic fibers detaching due to friction. This is more common with cheap polyester and worsens with fabric softener. Brushed Tencel resists pilling much better thanks to the natural length of its fibers. Cold wash, no fabric softener, delicate cycle: this is basic protection.
Can I wear buttery soft leggings for something other than yoga?
Absolutely. That's one of the reasons for this material's success: it's fluid enough for yoga, supportive enough for running and Pilates, and elegant enough to be worn outside the studio. In the office with a blazer, on weekends with an oversized sweater, or while traveling for comfort on a plane. It's the garment you end up wearing every day.
Elindra Collection — Limited Edition
Ready to experience the ultimate feeling?
Every Elindra piece is built around a single goal: making you forget you're wearing anything. Our limited edition collection of yoga leggings, sports bras, and shorts.
Warning: once tried, you'll never go back.
This article is written by the Elindra team. We selected these brands based on objective criteria, including our own.
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