How to Style Leggings
If you had told me back when I started blogging in 2013 that I’d be writing this post 12 years later, I would have laughed and felt concerned for myself. Back then, I was firmly planted in the Leggings Are Not Pants camp. And I was not budging.
In fairness, this was because the only legging I was familiar with at the time were those extremely thin, cotton, squat-and-they’ll-tear leggings from Forever 21. I LOVED those things, but they were sheer, and there were no circumstances under which I felt were appropriate for wearing them out of the house as pants. Even in Idaho.
Fast forward a few years, and we started wearing proper workout leggings— which are (ideally) not sheer—out and about beyond the gym. Once I got my hands on some of those leggings, I finally caved. Yes, leggings can in fact be pants, but only if they are thick enough to let the undergarments remain a mystery.
Leggings are comfortable alternatives to hard pants (jeans) and yet can be “dressed up” unlike most joggers. I’ve worn my collection of leggings a number of times on CCCH over the years! Below, I discussed how to style leggings, including garments to pair with your leggings as well as 10 outfit ideas from my archives to give you some ideas to work with.
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How to Style Leggings
This post is a deep dive into leggings and how to style them! First, I’ll share exactly what leggings are, just in case you’re not familiar, if leggings are still in style, what to wear with your leggings, and 10 outfit ideas from my own archives to help you style your own leggings! The outfits are split into five outfits I wore out of the hours and five outfits I wore to work from home.
What are Leggings?
Leggings are a type of stretchy garment that hugs your body from your waist to your ankles (or maybe slightly higher, if your leggings aren’t that long). Leggings are made of natural materials, synthetic materials, or sometimes a blend of both. They include elastic or spandex so that they can comfortably move with you and bounce back even after being worn.
Leggings are most commonly worn for workouts and in casual athleisure outfits. Some of the most popular brands and retailers that offer leggings for women include:
Do you remember jeggings? Those were legging-jeans, or jeans that were so skinny that they basically fit like leggings. (I had a pair and loved them!)
Are Leggings Still in Style?
This is a great question, and the answer probably varies on where in the world you live. In general, I do believe leggings are still in style in 2025. People are lazy and have no problems leaving their house in athleisure (it’s me, I’m people).
It seems like fewer people are actively styling their leggings in outfits now that wider leg styles are in again, but I also live in Idaho—not a fashion capital by any means! I will say that I see more leggings that I do skinny jeans, and that’s true of my own style choices.
In my opinion as a woman and blogger for over a decade that used to believe that leggings should not under any circumstances be worn as pants, I don’t really think leggings (specifically those that are meant to be worn as activewear) will ever go out of style.
As long as people are still attending group workout classes (or want to give off the illusion that they are hitting the gym), I think we’ll continue to see leggings worn around town as part of a look. They’re also perfect travel attire! Leggings are comfortable and flattering; what’s not to love?!
What to Wear with Leggings
Oversized Sweatshirts and Sweaters
Because leggings hug you legs, wearing any sort of oversized garment on the top half of your body balances the slim fit at the bottom. I love pairing my leggings with oversized sweatshirts and thick, billowy sweaters in the cooler months. It’s a good indoor or outdoor outfit combo!
Long Cardigans
Much like oversized sweatshirts and sweaters, long cardigans are also a great option to pair with leggings. Layer it over a tank top or long-sleeved tee (a short-sleeved top could also work, but I find that short sleeves sometimes bunch uncomfortably under cardigans).
Cropped Tops
Another top I love to wear with leggings? Cropped tops! I know they’re a bit controversial, but as a petite woman, I looove cropped tops; I get the tops that hit at the top of my leggings for full coverage without any bunching. Try wearing your leggings with cropped tops in various sleeve lengths!
Layers
No matter which type of top you wear with leggings, layers are the key to making your outfits feel more interesting. It’s easy to throw on a tee with your leggings and call it good, but if you want to make it an outfit outfit, add a third piece (top layer), bold jewelry, or other fun accessory!
Sneakers
Not surprisingly, because leggings are commonly worn for working out, they look great with sneakers! You can wear leggings and sneakers beyond the gym, too; they are my go-to combination for air travel (unless for some reason I need to bring heavier boots along and wear those instead).
Lace-up Boots
There really aren’t many shoes that wouldn’t work well with leggings, but I did want to also shout out lace-up boots for being a perfect footwear option in the cooler months! Throw on a pair of thick, breathable socks and add a pair of lace-up boots and channel those après ski vibes.
How to Wear Leggings
Leggings with a Long Cardigan and Sneakers
I wear leggings almost exclusively when I travel by plane. They’re comfortable, easy to move in, and feel a little bit “nicer” than wearing joggers, especially if I upgraded myself to the front of the plane. A cozy long cardigan and sneakers finish a comfy travel look off perfectly!
Leggings with Waterproof Boots
I’ll be honest and say that leggings aren’t usually the warmest pant option for when it’s raining (or snowing)—unless you purchase a pair of fleece-lined leggings, which are amazing—but they pair perfectly with a wubby pullover and a pair of waterproof boots that don’t look waterproof.
Leggings with a Corduroy Shirt Jacket
A shirt jacket like this corduroy option works much like an oversized sweater or long cardigan. I layered mine over a long-sleeved cropped top for extra warmth in late November (I wore this for Thanksgiving). This look would feel unfinished without the third piece on top tying it all together.
Leggings with an Oversized Sweatshirt and Lace-up Boots
This outfit combination is one of my favorites in the cooler months! I’m obsessed with pairing oversized sweatshirts and leggings; the voluminous sweatshirt balances out the slim fit of the leggings. Add a beanie and cozy lace-up boots (plus a hot beverage) for the perfect après ski outfit!
Leggings with a Cozy Pullover and Lugsole Boots
We’re closing out my “outside” leggings outfits with this look that features my wubby pullover again. This pullover + leggings = one of my most-worn outfit combinations when it’s chilly out. To spice this outfit up, I finished the look with my burgundy lugsole boots. They’re cute AND practical.
Leggings with a Sweater Blazer
When working from home, I opt for comfy pants only, and that includes my leggings. If you have a virtual meeting that requires the camera to be on, go dressy on top with a sweater blazer layered over a top. I even added earrings, but you could also opt for a necklace instead (or wear both!).
Leggings with an Oversized Cardigan
This is more typical of my leggings outfits when I work from home! Grab your favorite everyday white tee (you could half-tuck a tee with a loose fit into your leggings) and throw on an oversized, textured cardigan. Not pictured: A warm cup of tea to get you through another workday.
Leggings with a Textured Sweater and Baseball Cap
This leggings outfit feels a bit like a juxtaposition, which is perfect for a work from home day that includes meetings! The top half (sweater and ball cap) is definitely something I’d wear to the office with jeans, but it works just as well to swap jeans out for leggings and slippers at home.
Leggings with Colorful Tops
Even though I get the most mileage out of black leggings, it’s fun to mix it up with another color every once in a while. Play with color in the rest of your outfit, too! Here, I’m wearing my navy leggings with a pink striped tee, pink velvet baseball cap, and moss green cardigan.
Leggings with Lightweight Layers
In the transitional seasons, try wearing leggings with lightweight layers. Your layers also do not need to be oversized if you don’t like that look on you; if that’s you, try wearing a slim sweatshirt over a tank. The white tank adds a little more interest to this simple leggings outfit.