How to Style Leggings Beyond the Gym, According to a Fashion Writer

3 min readAre leggings pants? It’s a divisive question. I say yes. As someone who’s been testing activewear for years, I can assure you that today’s leggings are a far cry from the flimsy, nearly see-through pairs many of us grew up with. I have a drawer overflowing with them, and plenty get just as much use with an oversized sweater or blazer as they do at the gym. After years of testing different fabrics and fits, I’ve also figured out which leggings actually work with the rest of my capsule wardrobe.I find nylon—which has a smoother, more matte finish—looks more luxe than other synthetic fabrics, while minimal seaming (especially a pair without a front seam) makes them look more sleek. Those details make a huge difference when I’m pairing leggings with the dressier pieces in my closet. Once you find the right pair, styling leggings comes down to pairing them with pieces that either add structure (like a blazer or boxy zip-up) or add a dressy element (like a heeled boot or tailored trench coat).Ahead, I’m sharing the ways I actually wear leggings in my everyday life, plus the tops, jackets, shoes, and accessories I reach for most. Whether you’re firmly on team “leggings are pants” or need a little convincing, these outfit ideas should give you a few new ways to wear the pairs already sitting in your drawer.With Knee-High Boots and a BlazerShannen ZitzYou can opt for a heeled boot or a flat riding boot for this outfit; it depends on how dressy you want to get. Once you find the right boot (I like a black boot with black leggings), layer a blazer over a blouse or sweater. I like the way a turtleneck or mock neck balances out a more casual bottom like leggings, but a semi-structured blazer also does a lot of the heavy lifting here. If you work in a more casual setting, this can totally be an office outfit (I recently wore this to a team lunch)—but I also love this outfit for holiday get-togethers and dinners with friends.With Sneakers and a Zip-UpShannen ZitzFor this combo, start with a zip-up hoodie layered over a plain white T-shirt or tank. A zip-up with a boxy, structured cut and a fabric with a bit more heft to it is key to prevent the outfit from looking frumpy. From there, grab a pair of chunky sneakers, like the New Balance 9060, and scrunchy crew socks. It might not seem like much, but this outfit nails that clean-girl vibe and is my ideal errand-running, movie theater, or mall ensemble.With a Cozy Sweater and SlippersShannen ZitzLeggings are basically synonymous with comfort, and you can dial into that without going full gym-mode or couch potato by adding the right cozy pieces. Grab a pair of scrunchy or cable-knit socks, a pair of slippers (like my go-to Ugg Cozy Slipper), and an oversized sweater. You can also layer on a fleece vest or triangle scarf for extra warmth. I frequently wear this outfit on work-from-home days when I don’t want to change out of my pajamas or for casual hangs with friends on a chilly fall day.With a Trench Coat and BootiesShannen ZitzA trench coat is my secret weapon for dressing up pretty much anything in my closet, leggings included. Start with your favorite (or a long wool coat) and toss it on over a sweater and a pair of basic leggings. Then step into a Chelsea boot—I went with my Blundstones. I added a pair of white quarter-length socks to visually break up my leggings and black shoes, but no-shows work too. This is an ideal rainy-day outfit or just great for transitional weather when you don’t want to be dressy or too casual.Shop My Favorite LeggingsShop More Clothing We LoveCapsule Wardrobe Essentials |How to Style Sneakers| How to Style Biker Shorts | Best Matching Workout Sets | Best Workout Tops | Best Hiking Clothes | Best Workout Clothes for Women | Best Sweatpants | Best Hoodies | Best White Sneakers | Best Walking Shoes for Women | Best Leggings | Best Flare Leggings | Best Lounge Pants For Women | Best Running Hats | Best Gym BagsShannen Zitz is the Associate Style & Reviews Editor at Women's Health, where she covers all-things sneakers and activewear. Previously, she was an assistant editor at Prevention. Shannen graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor's degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.