What Can You Wear With Leggings?

The beauty of leggings is that you can wear them with almost anything. For tops, choose among tunics, button-downs, tanks or cardigans. Dig out that cotton dress that shrunk in the dryer and is now too short to wear bare-legged. As long as the length of the top reaches your thigh, then you’re dressed to venture out in public. But skip the cropped tops. Wearing leggings as a substitute for pants is not a good look, so cover up your tush.

You know that awkward transitional period between seasons when you can’t decide whether it’s too cold to bare your gams? Enter leggings. There’s no need to stow your spring and summer clothes come autumn. Wear leggings under skirts and dresses when the seasons change, which means your wardrobe grows twofold just like that. In the winter, wear leggings with heavier fabrics.

Even though leggings can be likened to tights for their form-fitting, skin-hugging nature, leggings stand apart for being “footless.” This characteristic allows you to wear any kind of footwear with leggings, because unlike with tights, you won’t have to worry about slipping and sliding. But be warned, the higher your heel, the more you’ll look like you’re heading to an ’80s costume party. Try low-heeled boots, flats and brogues for a modern, fashionable alternative.

Standard black leggings are basic must-haves, but after a while they can be a little boring. Mix it up with bright-colored, metallic, lace, pleather, floral or patterned leggings. Make sure to wear a solid, neutral color on top to balance out the crazy bottoms. Otherwise, you’ll look like a walking kaleidoscope. If you’re a novice leggings-wearer, take baby steps with subtle colors, like navy, gray or aubergine.