The Ultimate Guide to Wearing Leggings

Leggings have evolved as a wardrobe staple for many women because of their comfortability and fashionable appearance. Leggings, unlike sheer-coverage tights, are opaque and can be worn as pants. 

Leggings are also a versatile piece of apparel for many women. You can wear them with various outfits for different occasions, including outside the gym.

If you’re just used to wearing leggings in one way, it can be difficult to style them in other ways. This is a typical problem for those who want to see how to make the most of their leggings by pairing them with different clothes.

Knowing your alternatives might help you make better judgments while purchasing cotton leggings or choosing the proper fit. If you’re not sure how to don your leggings more imaginatively, here is the ultimate guide to wearing leggings.

Leggings in Different Lengths and Cuts

 

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Leggings are classified into four categories based on their length:

Ankle-length Leggings

Ankle-length leggings have replaced jeans as a popular choice since they are more comfortable and slimming. In the winter, it’s preferable to wear them (ankle-length woolen leggings) with ankle-length boots rather than jeans since you don’t have to tuck them into your boots. These are perfect for women with short legs and/or a wider hip region, as they offer the illusion of long, slim legs, especially when worn with heels.

Mid-Calf Length Leggings

Long tops, Kurtis, and skirts are commonly worn with mid-calf-length leggings.

Footed Leggings

The fabric of footed leggings is slightly thicker than that of tights. They have no hole at the bottom and also cover the feet. These leggings go well with shorts and skirts, and you can even wear them under dresses.

Stirrup Leggings

Horse riders wore these leggings to ensure they stayed in place when riding their horses and didn’t come up or above their boots. Women wore it when skiing and horseback riding, and it became a sportswear item. 

Later on, it became fashionable, and in the 1980s, it was considered street fashion. They are currently at an all-time high in popularity among women who wear them as sportswear, casual wear, and for running.

Leggings in Different Fabrics, Prints, and Styles

a woman in a tank top and printed leggings, sunlight from the balcony, a framed artwork

Other styles of leggings that have become fashionable include:

Ripped Leggings or Leggings With Cuts

These leggings include cuts and are a must-have for every fashionista. They appear fashionable and appealing and can be worn on casual and formal occasions. We recommend picking black, grey, or navy blue as your colors.

Rugged Leggings

These leggings are not rough; however, they do have patterned ones that seem like they are. You can wear these if you don’t want to show off your skin or unwaxed hair.

Leather and Faux-leather Leggings

In some girls’ wardrobes, these leggings have even replaced jeans. When you can get faux-leather or leather “leggings,” you don’t have to wear those incredibly tight leather jeans/jeggings. Not only is it warm in the cold, but it’s also stylish. 

These leggings also include fur on the inside to provide additional warmth and protection in the cold weather.

Jeggings

Jeggings are made up of jeans and leggings. They resemble jeans but are jeggings. These leggings come in a wider range of styles, including high waist jeggings, ankle-length jeggings, low waist jeggings, and so on.

Treggings

Treggings are similar to jeggings in that they are made to look like pants but are leggings. Treggings are made up of pants and a pair of leggings. Because the fabric is thicker and looks like trousers, they are popular among young ladies and working women who dislike leggings.

Printed Leggings

These leggings are available in prints, ranging from monochromatic to floral. Stripes, galaxy prints, tribal, floral, and animal prints such as tiger, leopard, and cheetah prints are just a few examples. The list goes on and on.

Glitter Leggings

These leggings are ideal for wearing to a party or any other occasion. You can look stunning while not exposing too much skin and still showing off your curves.

Styling Leggings for Different Activities

 

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Leggings are a more comfortable option than tight, narrow jeans. They’re constructed of a lighter, stretchier material that’s comfortable to wear whether you’re working out or doing errands. 

You can also wear leggings to work with the proper pair. Depending on the activity, here are some styling suggestions for your leggings.

Workouts

Leggings are a popular piece of fitness clothing since they are light and don’t retain sweat. These elastic trousers support the lower body while still allowing movement and flexibility.

These bottoms will keep you comfy and stylish while practicing yoga at home, jogging around the block, or lifting weights at the gym. They also arrive in a wide range of colors and patterns, allowing you to express your individual style through brilliant colors and intriguing patterns.

The easiest approach to style your activewear is to match your tops and pants. Matching leggings and sports bras are available from most active lifestyle brands, or you can wear tanks with a similar design or color. This is a terrific method to make your training more enjoyable.

If you’re deciding between low-rise and high-waist leggings, bear in mind that the latter provides more midsection support and is better for high-impact workouts because you don’t have to adjust them as often.

Another advantage of wearing leggings to the gym is that you may appear fashionable both before and after your workout. If you need to run errands, just put on an oversized hoodie or sweatshirt over your workout clothes, and you’re good to go. There’s not even a need to change out of your training sneakers to run errands.

Casual Occasions

a woman wearing leggings as casual wear sitting on the floor

There is a pair of leggings for everyone, whether you want to hang out with your pals or go out for coffee. Leggings made of denim and cotton are popular choices for a fashionable casual look. They go well with a range of tops, including tunics or flowy blouses, tees in plain white, and long button-up shirts.

Consider what would work best for your body type if you desire a pleasing silhouette. Women with a narrow waist and broad hips should choose high-waist denim leggings or darker-colored cotton leggings since these styles can be slimming and flattering.

Choose leggings that end just above your ankles to give an elongated appearance. Leggings that expose your shins should be avoided at all costs.

While sneakers are popular with leggings, sandals or flats can also be worn, especially in the spring. When the weather in the fall begins to cool, pair your leggings with ankle booties or high boots. This is also the greatest time to experiment with your outerwear.

Denim jackets, bomber jackets (here’s a guide on how to wear them), large cardigans, and leather jackets are all good choices. Pair your leather jacket with imitation leather leggings for an edgy effect.

Remember to finish the ensemble with a pair of hoop earrings to accessorize. This attire is suitable for everyday use but can easily be transformed into a beautiful evening look for informal parties.

In the Workplace

Leggings were mostly used for workouts when they first became popular. Now that various styles are available, some are regarded as appropriate for wearing to work.

Pay particular attention to the material while picking out a pair of leggings for work. Choose thicker leggings that won’t show through under the intense fluorescent lights seen in most offices.

Leggings made of faux leather and dark denim can be trendy and professional. A spotless white button-down shirt and high shoes will complete the look. A long blazer or trench coat can also help you look sharp and put together.

If you have a busy day before you, opt for a simple yet elegant outfit. Wearing black from head to toe is one example. This outfit gives you a polished style that will enhance your confidence throughout the day.

Choosing the Best Fit

a woman holding maroon leggings in a store

Leggings must hug your body effectively and comfortably to achieve these style ideas. While shopping for leggings might be a daunting endeavor owing to the abundance of options, here are some quick tips to aid you in choosing the ideal pair.

Begin With Your Pants Size

When looking for the perfect pair of leggings for your body, this is a common place to start. You want a pair that fits your body’s contour without being too tight or too loose for your comfort.

Take Your Measurements

While pants size can indicate what to search for, taking measures is the best approach to determine the greatest fit. Your waist, below the hip bones, hips, and around your rear are all areas that need to be measured. When you’re shopping online and can’t try on the clothes in person, this is very useful.

Know Whenever the Leggings Are Ill-fitting

Take note of how the leggings embrace your lower body. They must, first and foremost, be opaque and give adequate coverage. They may be too tight if you can see your skin through the fabric as you stretch or flex; instead, go for a larger size.

Check to see whether any extra fabric has settled in the crotch area. This indicates that the leggings are overly big. However, if you see an unsightly pelvic contour, sometimes known as a camel toe, the leggings are too small, and you should size up.

Ensure They Are Comfortable

Leggings should be tight and comfy to wear. Regardless of your activity, they should not tug or pinch your skin.

You can dress leggings up or down in a variety of ways. By mixing and combining various footwear, clothing, and accessories, you can quickly generate an athletic, stylish, edgy, or professional style. Begin by finding a pair that fits you adequately, then work your way up to a look that complements your style and flatters your figure.

Leggings: How to Wear Them

 

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Leggings Are Not Tights nor Pant, But They Can Be

Leggings are fantastic in various ways, including their ability to combine style and comfort in one piece of apparel. Leggings have been relegated to the realm of activewear for far too long. On the other hand, leggings have evolved into much more than just a pair of training pants in recent years.

While it’s still necessary to know where you wear your leggings (no, not to a wedding!), that doesn’t imply you can’t be creative with them.

Change It Up

Let’s speak about how fantastic and adaptable leggings are. Match them with ankle boots and a long button-down shirt belted around the waist, or high boots and a long blazer for a sleek and stylish style.

Accessories, Accessories, Accessories 

Leggings are very stylish on their own, but with the right accessories, your outfit can go from seven to eleven in no time.

Accessorize with a baseball cap and sunglasses for a street style look or a purse and a lot of jewelry for an elegant runway image. We’ve got your back on this one.

It’s All About the Length

Your leggings should fall just above the ankle; anything shorter cuts you off at the shin, creating a stunted silhouette.

Wear Bold Prints With Caution

A few comments regarding leggings with bright colors and flowery prints: they’re entertaining, but they may also be killer. For maximum utility, stick to a simple color palette. However, this does not preclude you from experimenting and developing your style with this wardrobe classic.

Wash Your Leggings

clothes inside a washing machine

Leggings, unlike denim, require regular washing. As your body heats it, the elasticity relaxes, and washing helps it return to normal. Leggings are mostly or completely synthetic, which means they don’t breathe as well and need to be washed every other wear.

They don’t need to be hand-washed to have them looking their best. We recommend using a delicates bag to keep them from getting stretched out in the machine and avoiding any form of heat, such as hot water, an iron, a warm dryer, or steam, as heat weakens the elasticity over time.

Consider Your Footwear

Try pairing your leggings with a pair of stylish sneakers for a sporty vibe. Or, you can also go for a highly trendy look by wearing sandals and socks. Have fun with your footwear combination and be adaptable.

Consider the Occasion

In general, you should not wear leggings to holiday parties, a job interview, or formal events such as a wedding or meeting the parents for the first time.

Or, Just Wear Them

Because every rule in fashion has an asterisk, go for it if you can have the rest of your outfit work around your leggings. Someone with a good eye could certainly style them so you can wear them everywhere, but it isn’t easy.

The World Is Your Yoga Class

Workout gear has finally evolved into daywear, whether you’re at the mall, at a yoga studio, or out to dinner. Leggings are comfy and attractive, and they can be dressed up to look like they’re on the runway. Simply put on a blazer; you will thank us later.

Leggings are here to stay, and we hope our guide has made it easier for you to embrace them. Everyone knows they’re comfortable, but these hacks show that they’re also adaptable, attractive, and, most importantly, fashionable.