Saying you can't wear leggings as pants is sort of like saying you can't wear white after Labor Day. (You're drunk, Grandma. Go home!) If you can work out in something, you can sure as hell run errands, hang out with your friends, and dance your face off in it. Who cares if leggings as pants were a cardinal fashion sin a few years ago. That was then and this is now. Besides, you can't even remember a few days ago. So, really, who cares? As long as you keep these eight simple styling tips in mind, you can wear leggings whenever and wherever you want, and you'll always look totally bangin'. Anyone who says otherwise is just hateful. Fuck that noise.
1. Choose leggings in a matte fabric over something shiny.
When it comes to leggings, matte fabrics look more sophisticated and are much more versatile than shiny fabrics.
Left: Baby Blue Tie Tank, CLUB MONACO, $70; Gray and White Tie-Dye Sports Bra, CALVIN KLEIN (Available at Macy's), $30; Gray Soft Striped Leggings, TALULA (Available at Aritzia), $22; Black Sneakers, APL, $140. Right: Lavender Suede Biker Jacket, TOPSHOP, $360; White Textured Pullover, CLUB MONACO, $229; Gray Soft Striped Leggings, TALULA (Available at Aritzia), $22; Zebra Printed Purse, MCM, $1280; White Wedge Cowgirl Booties, JEFFREY CAMPBELL, $200
2. Just because leggings are sporty doesn't mean you have to style them in a sporty way.
Leggings can be boho too — especially in soft, pastel pink with a fringed vest and a cute pair of ankle boots.
Left: Pink Sports Bra, LIVE THE PROCESS (Available at Net-A-Porter), $105; Pink Leggings, LIVE THE PROCESS (Available at Net-A-Porter), $150. Right: Pink and Orange Fringed Sweater, JESSICA SIMPSON, $80; White String Detailed Camisole, BABATON (Available at Aritzia), $60; Pink Sports Bra, LIVE THE PROCESS (Available at Net-A-Porter), $105; Pink Leggings, LIVE THE PROCESS (Available at Net-A-Porter), $150; Orange Sunglasses, MICHAEL KORS, $145;White Cross Body Bag, REBECCA MINKOFF, $295; White Wedge Cowgirl Booties, JEFFREY CAMPBELL, $195
3. When wearing tights as pants, stick to flats, sneakers, or thick, chunky heels.
More often than not, stilettos just make leggings look trashy. Besides, why would you wear the world's most comfortable pants with the world's least comfortable shoes?
Left: Tie-Dye Black and White Cropped Tank, CALVIN KLIEN (Available at Macy's), $30; Red Sports Bra, BANDIER, $36; Black Mesh Leggings, MICHI, $180. Right: Red Arizona T-Shirt, MAJE (Available at Bloomingdales), $210; Flannel Button-Up, TNA (Available at Aritzia), $20; Black Mesh Leggings, MICHI, $180; Black Sunglasses, VERSACE (Available at Sunglass Hut), $310; White Round Purse, NIKKI REED, $180; Gold Bullet Necklace, ASHA, $350; Black and White Running Shoes, APL, $140
4. Coordinate the color of your jacket with your leggings to create a cute little suit.
Matching your jacket to your leggings makes the two pieces looks like they were always meant to go together, thus elevating the leggings from gym gear to all-around-awesome wardrobe staple.
Left: White Mesh Sports Bra, MICHI, $85; Champagne Deep-V Pullover, SPLITS 59, $130; Gray Colorblocked Leggings, SPLITS 59, $120; Black and White Running Shoes, APL, $140 . Right: Gray Moto Jacket, GUESS (Available at Macy's), $108; Gray Color Blocked Leggings, SPLITS 59, $120; Champagne Deep-V Pullover, SPLITS 59, $130; Black Mini Backpack, REBECCA MINKOFF, $295; Nude Gladiator Sandals, REBECCA MINKOFF, $150
5. Layer leggings under tricky fashion pieces like see-through dresses.
You can still get in on the whole "naked dress" trend without going bare underneath.
Left: Black and White Sports Bra, VIMMIA (Available at Carbon38), $88; Black Mesh Leggings, MICHI, $185; Gray Patterned Sweatshirt, COACH, $395; Black and White Running Shoes, APL, $140. Right: Black Mesh Minidress, TOPSHOP, $55; Black Sports Bra, SPLITS 59, $39; Black Mesh Leggings, MICHI, $185; Floral Printed Jacket, COACH, $795; Tiger-Printed Purse, COACH, $595; Gold Circle Earring, SORELLE, $80;Black Criss-Cross Wedges, EXPRESS, $60
6. Don't go skintight from head to toe.
Add volume and movement to your leggings-as-pants look with boxier tops and fun fringe details.
Left: Black and Blue Sports Bra, MARA HOFFMAN (Available at Net-A-Porter), $110; White and Black Striped Leggings, PUMA, $40; Blue and Green Sneakers, STELLA MCCARTNEY (Available at Adidas), $160. Right: Teal Suede Biker Jacket, BAR III (Available at Macy's), $60; Blue and Green Striped Fringed Sweater, STELLA McCARTNEY (Available at Forward by Elyse Walker), $675; White and Black Striped Leggings, PUMA, $40; Black Micro Bag, REBECCA MINKOFF, $195; Silver Ball Necklace, SORELLE, $120; Black Slip-Ons, REBECCA MINKOFF, $150
7. Choose full-length leggings over cropped leggings every time.
Leggings that go all the way down to your ankles more closely resemble pants. This makes them feel a little more formal than capri leggings, which makes them more versatile.
Left: White Bralet With Mesh, TOPSHOP, $40; Galaxy Top, ALALA, $75; Galaxy Leggings, ALALA, $110; Black Running Shoes, APL, $140. Right: Black Crisscross Top, MASON BY MICHELLE MASON, (Available at Revolve), $494; Leather Miniskirt, TOPSHOP, $80; Galaxy Leggings, ALALA, $110; Black Criss-Cross Wedges, EXPRESS, $60
8. If you want a more undercover leggings-as-pants look, always remember to cover the waistband and the cuffs.
With pants as tight as they are these days, it's the tops and bottoms of your leggings that really give them away as fitness/athleisure wear. By covering your waistband with longer tops and tucking your cuffs into booties or high-top sneakers, you'll help disguise the overall legging-ness of your look. Not that you have to do this. Leggings as pants are nothing to be ashamed of. But at least this way, if you ever find yourself feeling like your leggings are just a little too legging-esque, you'll know what to do.
Left: Red and Black Sports Bra, NO KA'OI (Available at Carbon 38), $143; Multicolored Striped Leggings, NO KA'OI (Available at Carbon 38), $268; White Sweatshirt, PUMA, $65; White and Black Sneakers, APL, $140. Right: Black Biker Jacket, TALULA (Available at Aritzia), $165; White Sweatshirt, PUMA, $65; Multicolored Striped Leggings, NO KA'OI (Available at Carbon 38), $268; Black Cross Body Bucket Bag, VINCE CAMUTO, $258; Black High-Heeled Booties, NASTY GAL, $220
Model: KhrystyAna at MSA ModelsHair: Clara LeonardMakeup: Jackie Seabrooke
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