This article will show you how to wear leggings in 2021, with cute leggings outfits we’re wearing on repeat.
There are so many new fashion trends that have been popping up recently, which might make you want to change your entire wardrobe. However, there are a few clothing items that have stood the test of time, that we can continue to style into 2022 and beyond.
One such example is leggings!
Leggings have been closet staples for years now. They are always a great go-to for everyday outfits, and if you’re like me, you probably own a million pairs.
Not only are leggings popular for everyday and lounging outfits, but they have recently become a staple for even fancier outfits!
This may come as a surprise, but when you see the four leggings outfit ideas below, you will understand why you should be wearing your leggings for all types of occasions.
A Few Quick Tips for Styling Leggings:
When looking for what leggings to wear, there are a few things you should take not of to make sure you look trendy in your outfits.
- First, your plain black leggings that you buy in multiples can definitely be used to create a fashionable look — it’s all about knowing which items to pair them with.
- Also, take note of the length because if you are not a fan of long leggings, you can go for cropped leggings as well!
- If you want to spice up your outfits, colored leggings and ones with prints are also a fun and trendy way to go.
- And, keep in mind what style of leggings you want to go for because flared leggings (also known as yoga pants) are coming back into style — I’m sure you’ve seen them all over TikTok.
Unsure how to style all of your leggings? Check out these four leggings outfit ideas that will do the trick!
Leggings Outfit #1: Basic Black Leggings
Products: Sweatshirt, Leggings, Socks, Sneakers, Necklace
This example of how to wear leggings is for the classic black long leggings that you love so much! These are always my go-to leggings when I am in a rush or want something simple to wear to class or running errands.
This is my go-to outfit when I want to look cute and put together but still be super comfy in my leggings.
This look pairs a light blue oversized sweatshirt (oversized sweatshirts are very in style right now) with all black long leggings. Graphics and lettering are popular on sweatshirts right now, so this one is super on-trend.
Then, don’t forget your shoes and accessories because they are also important when deciding how to style your leggings. I recommend going for the trendy all-white chunky sneakers, like these, with some high ankle socks.
To spice the outfit up a bit, add some accessories, like this layered silver chain necklace!
Leggings Outfit #2: Cropped Leggings
Another favorite leggings style of mine is the cropped legging! This is perfect if you want to go for a more sporty look or if you want to wear your leggings to workout or go to the gym.
To get a fun and sporty look using leggings, pair some cropped black leggings like these with a cute workout style top like this cropped green tank top (green clothing items are very in style right now).
You can also pair this outfit with a cute hoodie, which will add to the sporty look.
To complete the outfit with some shoes and accessories, I would wear a trendy elastic headband, like this white one. Then, for shoes, I would go for something sleek and athletic, like these Adidas white sneakers!
Leggings Outfit #3: Pink Leggings
If you want to change up your leggings for some more fun ones, a trendy way to do it is by wearing some colored leggings like these pretty light pink ones!
A great way to style colored leggings with your outfits is by finding a graphic tee to match. Graphic tees are huge right now, so an oversized graphic tee like this adorable Bratz one is a perfect choice for pairing with leggings.
What’s great about this graphic tee is that it will match perfectly with your leggings! Then, for some accessories, you could go for a cute baseball cap (they are also popular right now) that matches the look.
And, don’t forget about your shoes! One thing I love about leggings outfits is you can pair them with almost any shoes, but you can never ever go wrong with trendy Nike Air Force 1s.
Leggings Outfit #4: Flared Leggings
Wondering how you can wear leggings outfits for nighttime? The new thing for leggings is the bootcut or flared legging (also known as the yoga pant).
This style of leggings was popular years ago and is now coming back as the new go-to leggings style for outfits in 2021!
What I love about this kind of legging is that it can be worn for lounging, but if you pair it with the right things, you can totally style it into a fancier look.
To get a look like this, I recommend going for all-black bootcut leggings like these (which even have a fun drawstring bow around the waist).
Then, add a trendy top like this scarf-style top for a very of-the-moment look. For shoes, I would definitely go with some heels to make your outfit look fancier, like these beige thong heels.
Also, don’t forget accessories! Add a cute black baguette purse to match and some trendy chunky gold hoop earrings.
Now, you have the perfect leggings outfit for fancier occasions.
How do you wear your leggings?
Which outfit is your favorite? What kind of leggings are you going to purchase? Do you ever wear leggings for fancier occasions? Tell us in the comments section below.
I always love wearing leggings.. Thanks for posting this!
Okay. So. I’m new to leggings. and I’ve always kinda been told that I should wear leggings because all I am is leg (5’10, 36inseam) and that I shouldn’t wear them because they hit me mid-calf- which is basically… not good right? But I bought an uberrrrr cute dress from Forever 21 yesterday, but it hardly covers my bum because its not made for my long torso. how can i pull off the leggings without me looking like i have toothpick legs etc? helppp pleaseeeeee? (:
Almost TOTALLY AGREE!! My only points of difference is that heels are VERY chic with leggings, and they make the legs look longer, which many of us need. Flats are for casual use. Also, leggings are chic, but very much affected by the shoes and top–they can be casual, chic, or trashy. I love them with classy shoes and various types of boots (classy to warm and fuzzy). I also very much agree that most of us should have a top from mid-thigh to the butt, though I have seen some hard bodies that can show off their butt, but even then it is an edgy look. Below mid-thigh starts to look dowdy. I like the look of thick opaque leggings much better than tights, and they are great for being fashionable in cold weather.
I ADORE leggings. I was born and raised and California so I was a jeans, jeans, jeans girl, all the time. Jean pants, jean shorts, jean skirts. However, I moved to Hamburg, in Germany, this year, and discovered leggings! They’re basically all I wear now! My tips:
-Wear baggy sweaters over your blouse and leggings. Think American Eagle or logo sweaters. This looks chick but also cute enough for school or just hanging out.
-Wear long socks or leg warmers under your shoes with just the top showing. This is great for when it’s cold, because it adds an extra dimension to your outfit while keeping you warm.
-If you’ve got a super cute blouse, but it’s too short for leggings, wear shorts over the leggings. Or, wear the shirt under a (buttoned) cardigan or vest with a low neckline. The cardigan will cover up your butt while still showing off your top.
-Wear tights, too! When I go to a party or club but its super cold, I wear long black tights under my dress and wear whatever shoes I want, instead of just going in boots.
-Black is always classic. It’s really fun to wear a black top, jacket, and shoes and then bright, crazy colored leggings. It brings them out and makes a statement in a good way. Also, black leggings go with anything.
-When its cold, layer your leggings. At first I didn’t know how people kept walking around with skimpy leggings in the freezing (I mean freezing–coming from California sun to German what? sun? has been pretty hard) cold! But then a friend told me to just pile on two or even three leggings to stay warm and still look good.
There you go!
I don’t want to start a fight but I hear person after person saying leggings are not pants. What makes them so different from yoga pants? The both show just as much.
I would normally wear a baggy sweat shirt or sweater, with some uggs with my hair tied up. This is like a normal lazy day !
Or for a party look, wear one of the knitted sweaters with the black tights and some boots or flats !
Laura- Buy a pair of white shorts perferrably denim, and cut it off into short shorts but leave enough that you can see it under the dress. So cute and makes you look even better!
Love the article
I seriously live in leggings. No I’m not in violation of the “leggings are not pants” rule, I always make sure that the crotch area is well covered. But I LOVE wearing leggings whenever I can because they’re so dang comfy. To me the key is getting leggings that are thick enough that they’re not see through when you bend over – if by chance your top isn’t long enough or comes up when you bend over. The best ones I’ve found are on amazon. Super cheap too – no point in spending a lot of money on leggings. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LMI992Y
I m a men i m practice classic dance i love leggings may i take leggings girls with tigh hight boots
I’m just getting into the leggings trend and this helped give me some hot outfit ideas. I’ll definitely try out some floral leggings sometime soon. 🙂
Right never worn leggins as I’m short and past 35 but I have to wear a black tutu for a hen night omg! lol Was wondering whether to wear black shorts over the leggins but what shoes or boots help pls. Oh I am size 10 though.
I love to wear leggings with huge cozy sweaters and some cute boots. It’s so comfy but it looks cute in my opinion.
I wear leggings as much as I can. I dance, and I like wearing dancer-y clothes around to class and stuff too because it’s the most comfortable, movable kind of clothing. I struggle with the butt-covering though, since I have a pear-shaped body and a big butt. Tighter shirts tend to ride up, and I’m forever having to pull them back down, and baggier shirts just make my butt look bigger, usually. I can normally save myself with a long cardigan though.
Maybe I should start wearing those tight mini-dresses from American Apparel as shirts…I bet that would work.
Love, Love, Love how you’ve put together Fashion Legging looks!!! I am a big leggings/tights fan and feel that they can be a timeless piece to any wardrobe, slim or heavy set-they are every girls best friend! As a Designer of (I think) some pretty phenomenal fashion leggings, I would make one addition to your looks, I’d like to see you show that, not only can leggings be worn with tunics, but also with dresses, shorts, mini-skirts and regular length skirts! I feel leggings are timeless because they can be the single piece that adds the “print, the pattern, the color, the sexiness, the rock star/biker effect” to an otherwise solid colored looks. You can also couple them with other prints to create a “tribal, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s or 80’s look. Leggings can even make an otherwise boring outfit standout!
My School has a strict dress code and you have to wear leggings under ripped jeans. So my favorite way to wear leggings is under skinny jeans with my uggs and Tennessee Vols shirt. It’s cute and comfy and it keeps you warm in the winter/
Thank you so much i am only allowed to wear skirts and get cold in the winter this tells me how to wear leggings with my skirt. Do you know any stores that sell cute denim skirts that would go good with leggings.
jeggings are also in! they’re combination of jeans and leggings.. more comfortable to start with..
i love leggings.. its always in, especially when you learn how to experiment different kinds of what you can pair with it.
It’s time that we ALL wear leggings. Get over the fashionista and body image constraints and just wear them. You know you want to, you know they’ll be more comfortable than the constrictive clothes you wear now. Go for it. Enjoy leggings and wear them. Choose a well made pair – not with cotton fibers that bag out over time but a high tech fiber that retains its shape. Go for the comfort and support. Leggings that go to the ankle have a greater positive visual aesthetic than capri style that chop the leg. Plus the full length leggings support you from your ankle to your waist and give you an energetic lift.
this is proberly the best artical i have read upon for how to wear leggings but now i know a really simple but good oulfit that has benn in my wardrobe for monthes but i was just wondering can fat people wear leggings
i absolutly love leggings. i have a drawer full and they are all i wear. i find jeans unflattering for me for i have hips and do not lik to put them on center stage. but with leggings there is no uncomfy muffintop or low riding show. even in 30 below snow storms leggings are mi go to.. i would love too see more casual outfits that involve boyfriend clothes too!. your article is delicious! i love
Ladies, THEY ARE TOO PANTS!! And yes, us guys DO wanna see your camel toe! Don’t wear a long top that covers your bum. We wanna see it too! Seriously, why be a tease… ?
Heyy nice post 🙂
I love leggings so much they’re the most comfy things wich can be wore in winter !
Great post!! I love my pair and have been looking out for new ways of wearing it. The 3rd outfit is so incredibly street style chic! Love it.
I love legging. The look you have displayed all are very nice. Gr8 post . thanks
I LOVE that you mentioned that leggings arent pants haha that is one of my major pet peeves! I’m not the biggeset fan of printed leggings, i usually stick to different styles of black leggings. I love the last outfit but i’d probably wear black liquid leggings with a different color shirt.
Callie, a tunic is a shirt, that is long enough to cover your butt 😉 It may be more fitted, like a minidress, but casual tunics are very much like shirts, just not that baggy (however, a slouchy boyfriend tee can be worn as a tunic too, if pulled of correctly).
I love the last outfit, I’ve never thought about pulling off flowery leggins, I used to think they a little bit tacky, but this exact pair looks awesome.
I really wish EVERYONE would realize leggings are not pants! My goodness it’s amazing to see how many people wear them as such. Major fashion faux-pas. Great article, very much needed!