How To Wear Leggings
Sophie Diego
Table of Contents
Ah, leggings: the sexified version of sweatpants. Considered a couch potato’s go-to garment, jeans and trousers are usually grouped in the ‘ugh, do I have to?” side of fashion.
Don’t get me wrong: leggings can be stylish too.
Skin-tight and form-fitting in silhouette, it’s the easiest way to define your shape without the added effort. Most of us forget that it’s attributed to athleisure, but honestly—it goes unnoticed.
Despite the Cheeto-crumb and coffee stain aesthetic, you’re probably wondering how to wear leggings stylishly. Trust me, there’s more to life than an average hoodie and white tee.
If celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Taylor Swift, and Kylie Jenner can pull off a pair of leggings elegantly, so can you.
All it takes is a short trip to the closet, and yes—it requires you to leave the comfort of your cozy couch.
Here, we’ll teach you how to wear leggings using 10 outfit ideas. By the end of this article, you’ll hopefully understand:
- How to wear leather leggings
- How to wear leggings over 50
- How to wear leggings to work
- How to wear leggings with a dress
- How not to wear leggings
- Some iconic legging outfits
What Are Leggings?
Here’s a fun riddle: what’s tightly bound, fashionably sound, and offers comfort that’s profound? The answer is leggings. Known to be form-fitting and sleek in silhouette, these pants are often worn as a compromise between joggers and jeans.
Leggings are also worn for exercise, thanks to their flexible and breathable construction. There are multiple designs to choose from, such as the traditional full-length style or the cropped set.
When To Wear Leggings
Before we discuss how to wear leggings, it’s important to address when it’s appropriate to wear them. They’re typically worn as casual wear or as part of a workout ensemble.
Leggings are great for daily errands, informal hangouts, and house lounging.
Practical, comfy, and flattering in silhouette, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why most people prefer them over jeans. Plus, leggings are designed to be seasonless, making them a great closet staple from winter to summer.
Where To Not Wear Leggings
Yes, they’re comfy, but don’t give in to temptation. Leggings should only be used for workouts and casual events.
Formal occasions, such as weddings, funerals, anniversaries, and other black-tie events require you to put more effort into your outfit.
Wearing leggings, sweatpants, and other forms of athleisure will usually give off a poor impression.
Leggings can be worn throughout all of the seasons, but we recommend swapping them for shorts on hotter days. Trust me, there’s nothing more regrettable than wearing skin-tight sweatpants in 30-degree heat.
How To Wear Leggings
So, how does one compose a cohesive leggings outfit? You don’t need to be a self-made influencer or trendsetter to work out the ‘fashion logistics.’
All it takes is a bit of inspo. Below, we’ll teach you how to wear leggings using 10 OOTD ideas. Let’s get started!
10 Outfit Ideas With Leggings
Comfy, casual, and perfect for no-nonsense days, this stylish outfit requires the least amount of ‘closet-meandering.’
It comes with a pair of black leggings, a cropped white hoodie, a brown puffer vest, and beige Converses. Full-coverage in silhouette, it’s the perfect look to wear during fall or early spring.
The Louis Vuitton bag is definitely an added flex, but it helps to accentuate the monochrome tones presented in the OOTD.
For those wondering how to wear ankle boots with leggings, you can easily swap the Chuck Taylors with Doc Martens instead.
Nothing screams business casual more than a blazer and a pair of leggings. Outfitted with a cream sweater, a white collared shirt, socks, and a couple of runners, it’s the kind of look that a fashion editor or writer would wear.
The loose button-up provides a skirt-like effect, which is perfect for those unsure of how to pair a dress with leggings. The OOTD is further accentuated with a Chanel handbag and a black Yankees baseball cap.
Of course, this look isn’t complete with an expensive latte order from Starbucks.
So, you can’t figure out how to wear a flannel shirt with leggings. Most oversized button-downs flare out at the bottom, which pairs nicely with bell-bottom sweatpants.
Contrary to popular belief, yes, there are other cuts of leggings that don’t involve the full, skin-tight effect, and this outfit is direct proof.
Composed of a plaid shirt, a white crewneck, and flared bottoms, it’s a super casual look for soft butch types. In terms of shoes, we recommend a pair of Air Force Ones and some simple silver-toned jewelry.
The chilly winter months call for additional layering. On some days, tights are just not enough. Instead of opting for thick wool trousers, we recommend tucking your leggings in some knee-high boots.
Complemented with a black blazer, a matching turtleneck, and a decorative gray sweater styled to look like a scarf, this outfit showcases the beauty of the minimalist trend.
It’s rather stark in color, which is why we suggest wearing some gold-tinted jewelry to help ‘warm’ up those cold hues. This is what to wear with leggings if the weatherman calls for below 10 temperatures.
Slim-fit leggings and oversized sweaters are a match made in heaven. It’s a demure silhouette that screams of chestnuts by the open fire and reading during a rainy day.
This outfit is no exception, as it features an extra-large cable knit decorated with pom-poms and a pair of black leggings.
Set with white Keds, it imbues the right amount of coziness and practicality for chilly days. To top this ‘how to wear leggings’ contender off, we suggest wearing a chunky beanie on top.
The best way to tackle the ‘what to wear with black leggings’ query is to opt for sultry silhouettes. Faux leather bottoms are a great way to elevate any casual outfit.
Plus, it doesn’t come with the extra bulk that a pair of motocross trousers would typically offer.
This ensemble also comes with a brown turtleneck, a beige trenchcoat, and platform boots. Accessorized with a Louis Vuitton backpack and a baseball cap, it’s a look that screams ‘city-born babe.’
Blazers, trench coats, and turtlenecks aren’t recommended for strenuous workouts.
If you’re wondering how to style leggings for exercise, there’s nothing wrong with opting for the classic matching set.
This dark, dusty pink ensemble comes with an off-shoulder bra and a pair of uni-butt leggings. Designed by Set Active, these pants come with no crotch seam to help prevent camel toe.
We highly recommend topping this ‘how to wear leggings’ featurette with white socks and running shoes.
Here’s a shocker: you don’t have to wear black leggings exclusively. The fashion world is receptive to all sorts of colors, including brown.
This stylish outfit offers a romantic take on classic athleisure by pairing sweats with a lace tank top.
Offered in deep espresso, the rest of the ensemble features a zip-up hoodie and a pair of black and white Converses.
If you’re looking for leggings outfit ideas, we suggest adding this to your Pinterest roster. Don’t forget to top off this OOTD with a creme tote bag for a pop of color.
Can’t decide how to wear Timberlands with leggings? If so, why not take inspiration from style-icon Kylie Jenner?
This casual OOTD features a white graphic tee paired with black bottoms and beige boots.
It’s certainly a more down-toned look compared to Jenner’s fashion taste, but it’s a great ensemble to consider during those ‘I can’t be bothered’ days.
If you really want to cop that expensive but lazy celebrity aesthetic, we suggest topping things off with shades and a designer handbag.
Simple, composed, and ideal for everyday use, this is how to wear a denim shirt with leggings. In our opinion, this ensemble is considered a mashup of athleisure and classic Nashville fashion.
If you really want to imbue those country girl vibes, we suggest swapping your white Converses with cowboy boots instead.
Don’t forget to wear a wide-brimmed hat and statement jewelry for some added glitz!
What Type Of Leggings Can You Get?
True legging fanatics own dozens of pairs of slim-fit sweats. I, for one, collect a few organized by occasion—that being a pair reserved for lounging, a pair for work, and a set for exercise.
If you’re looking to expand your own legging inventory, we’ll feature some popular fits for you to consider:
- Full-length leggings: There’s a 100% chance that you own a pair of full-length leggings. They’re the most common type of pants that you can get. Comfortable, sleek, and form-fitting, they make for great workout sweats or a casual number out.
- Cropped leggings: Settled in for summer? If so, you’re probably looking for a more breathable alternative. Cropped leggings still provide that slim-fit silhouette but at a shorter length. They’re excellent for wading in water and any high-performance activities.
- Flared leggings: Throughout our “how to wear leggings” guide, we’ve featured a few bell-bottom designs in our chosen outfits. It’s a great switch-up if you’re in the mood for something different.
- Faux leather leggings: Love the look of leather pants but aren’t a fan of how restrictive they feel? We recommend donning faux leather leggings as a more flexible option.
- Vibrant colors and patterns: Standard black is the safest option when it comes to clothing. But, for those in the mood for extra spice, it’s never a bad idea to opt for bright hues and prints.
How To Choose The Best Leggings
To the average shopper, we’re familiar with two kinds of leggings: the brand-name splurge and the fast-fashion discount. Both come with a set of caveats.
Frequenting companies like Lululemon, Set Active, and Nike will quickly diminish your savings account.
On the other hand, businesses like Shein, Romwe, and Forever 21 don’t offer the best quality to ensure long-term use. With that in mind, how does one choose the best leggings at an affordable price?
Responsible customers assess clothing based on 5 things: price, quality, material, fit, and design. A premium pair of leggings should easily meet all the criteria.
In terms of fabric, most varieties come with a blend of spandex, elastane, cotton, and lycra. It’s also relatively common for brands to produce patented textiles, such as Lululemon’s Luxtreme.
Nevertheless, the pants should offer a wide degree of flexibility, stretch, and durability. An easy way to test this is to conduct a sit and squat check in the fitting room.
Naturally, you should also consider fit when choosing leggings, as you don’t want a saggy pair that de-accentuates your waist, butt, and legs.
Regarding design, customers usually opt for neutral tones to help ensure continued use.
It’s common to opt for black and gray when choosing leggings. With that being said, that shouldn’t discourage you from selecting alternative hues like pink or green.
At the end of the day, you should opt for a pair that you can see yourself using time and time again.
Price-wise, leggings can range from $20 to $150. In most cases, it’s usually a good idea to support reputable brands such as Girlfriend Collective and Nike.
They maintain a commendable level of quality, design, and construction when it comes to apparel. Plus, their customer reviews don’t lie.
If you prefer a more affordable approach, we suggest doing some digging online. Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover an underground brand that offers a bomb selection of leggings.
How To Style Leggings
From a couch potato’s perspective, leggings require no extensive styling. It’s a matter of picking a certain hoodie and a simple tee—and that’s that.
But, to the veteran trendsetter, the typical pair of leggings hold so much potential.
If anything, it’s seen as a plain sponge cake: a foundation that warrants some icing and decoration to make it really flourish.
For those still wondering how to wear leggings, we’ll discuss some common styling tips to help get those creative juices flowing.
- The athleisure set: The couch potato aesthetic isn’t necessarily ugly. It just needs a bit of revamping. Instead of opting for an oversized hoodie, we suggest a cropped alternative to help flatter your waistline. In terms of sports bras, we recommend a matching set composed of blacks, greens, or pinks.
- Socks and sneakers: if you want to look like an Instagram workout guru, the best way to style leggings is to tuck them into white socks. Matching shoes are a must, as it helps provide that clean, finished look.
- Puffer jackets and oversized sweaters: Slim-fit leggings require a bit of silhouette experimentation. Wearing puffy vests and extra-large jackets can help even out your proportions. It also prevents that pencil-like body shape that one should definitely avoid.
- Knee-high boots: Wearing jeans with boots can feel like a suffocating nightmare. In an effort to prevent sweats and chafing, we recommend subbing your Levis with Lululemons instead.
Fashion Tips To Avoid With Leggings
For most casual dressers, leggings are the end-all-be-all of pants. It’s a 3-day event, a house lounging necessity, and the number one outfit go-to.
While most subscribe to the belief that everything goes with leggings, we suggest that you pause and give it some thought.
Despite its comfort and practicality, there are dozens of styling no-nos that can land you big-time with the fashion police.
If you want to save yourself a ticket, here are some fashion tips to avoid with leggings:
- Flip flops: This isn’t the early 2000s anymore. If you’re going to wear leggings, it’s best to opt for boots and sneakers as a better alternative.
- Belts: Leggings are free of belt loops. Plus, the lack thereof will increase the risk of sagging.
- Jeggings: Do yourself a favor and throw your jeggings in the fire. It’s like 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner; it doesn’t work.
- Ugly patterns and colors: You don’t want to look like a middle-aged boss-babe who sells horrid leggings for an MLM company. We won’t reveal the brand, but if you know, you know.
- Blouses: The romantic, frilly nature of leggings clashes with the laid back attitude of leggings. You can’t turn the couch potato aesthetic into a Bridgerton moment.
How To Take Care Of Leggings
So, have you figured out how to wear leggings? If so, it’s time to conduct some good ol’ care and maintenance.
To ensure durability and continued use, here are some ways to clean your slim-fit sweats at home.
- Use gentle detergent and wash in cold water. Opting for hot will usually lead to color bleeding.
- For high-quality leggings, you may want to refer to sport-specific cleaners instead
- Tumble low in the dryer. You can also choose to air dry your leggings.
Best Places To Buy Leggings
If you’re in need of some recommendations, we’ll highlight a few places for customers to shop at:
- Girlfriend Collective
- Lululemon
- Nike
- Aerie
- Set Active
- Alo Yoga
Final Thoughts
Compared to jeans, dresses, and skirts, leggings take the L in fashion. It doesn’t require much effort to style, nor are they hard to wear.
With that being said, there are ways to turn those skin-tight sweatpants into an Instagrammable moment.
All it takes is a commendable degree of creativity, innovation, and confidence to achieve it. Hopefully, this ‘how to wear leggings guide’ has instilled you with enough inspiration to help create some iconic fits.
So, are you brimming with outfit inspo potential? By the end of the article, we’re confident that you learned:
- How to wear faux leather leggings
- How to wear leggings over 60
- How to wear booties with leggings
- Some stylish outfits with leggings
- Tops for leggings
- How to dress up leggings
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