As someone who’s been testing activewear for years, I can assure you that today’s leggings are a far cry from the flimsy, nearly see-through pairs many of us grew up with. I have a drawer overflowing with them, and plenty get just as much use with an oversized sweater or blazer as they do at the gym. After years of testing different fabrics and fits, I’ve also figured out which leggings actually work with the rest of my capsule wardrobe.
I find nylon—which has a smoother, more matte finish—looks more luxe than other synthetic fabrics, while minimal seaming (especially a pair without a front seam) makes them look more sleek. Those details make a huge difference when I’m pairing leggings with the dressier pieces in my closet. Once you find the right pair, styling leggings comes down to pairing them with pieces that either add structure (like a blazer or boxy zip-up) or add a dressy element (like a heeled boot or tailored trench coat).
Ahead, I’m sharing the ways I actually wear leggings in my everyday life, plus the tops, jackets, shoes, and accessories I reach for most. Whether you’re firmly on team “leggings are pants” or need a little convincing, these outfit ideas should give you a few new ways to wear the pairs already sitting in your drawer. You can opt for a heeled boot or a flat riding boot for this outfit; it depends on how dressy you want to get.
Once you find the right boot (I like a black boot with black leggings), layer a blazer over a blouse or sweater. I like the way a turtleneck or mock neck balances out a more casual bottom like leggings, but a semi-structured blazer also does a lot of the heavy lifting here. If you work in a more casual setting, this can totally be an office outfit (I recently wore this to a team lunch)—but I also love this outfit for holiday get-togethers and dinners with friends.
For this combo, start with a zip-up hoodie layered over a plain white T-shirt or tank. A zip-up with a boxy, structured cut and a fabric with a bit more heft to it is key to prevent the outfit from looking frumpy. From there, grab a pair of chunky sneakers, like the New Balance 9060, and scrunchy crew socks.
It might not seem like much, but this outfit nails that clean-girl vibe and is my ideal errand-running, movie theater, or mall ensemble. Leggings are basically synonymous with comfort, and you can dial into that without going full gym-mode or couch potato by adding the right cozy pieces. Grab a pair of scrunchy or cable-knit socks, a pair of slippers (like my go-to Ugg Cozy Slipper), and an oversized sweater.
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