7 Legging Trends That Feel Surprisingly Fresh in 2022
Whenever I stop and think about leggings, flashbacks from my high school wardrobe full of Lululemon leggings paired with Nike socks and Birkenstock sandals flood my brain. But recently, after seeing the way that fashion's finest have elevated the once über-casual silhouette, I've begun to rethink my former distaste for the style. In fact, I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that leggings might actually be cool again, especially the pairs I've spotted in 2022.
From split-hem styles paired with skinny-heeled boots to stirrup alternatives strapped to loafers, today's legging trends aren't even comparable to the ones we all frequented back in the mid-2010s. And to prove it to you, I rounded up all of the most impressive styles on the market right now. After a few scrolls, I think you'll come to agree with me that leggings are worthy of a second chance.
1. Split-Hem Leggings
One of my biggest qualms with the way leggings were worn back in the '10s was that they never looked quite right with heels—only sneakers or boots. With the buzzy split-hem look, though, there's no awkward space between the bottom of your leggings and the beginning of your shoes.
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2. Neutral Leggings
Black leggings are great and all, but you can only have so many pairs before they start to feel boring and redundant. That's where a neutral brown or tan pair comes in. They're equally versatile and comfy but won't look like every other pair of leggings in the world.
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Prepare to be the best dressed person in your Pilates class.
Girlfriend Collective's activewear is unmatched.
3. Stirrup Leggings
Once used for strictly practical purposes, stirrup leggings have recently become a favorite among the fashion crowd, with many securing the loops around luxury heels or with lug-soled loafers.
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If you already have a black pair, cream is an obvious next choice.
4. Belted Leggings
Another fashion-favorite legging trend? Belted styles, which were really perfected by Istanbul-based brand Cult Form. The key to this style is an extra-high-waist silhouette, secured at the top with a belt that elevates your leggings with one easy clasp.
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The high waist on these is *chefs kiss.*
5. Short Leggings
When the warm weather hits, nothing is quite as easy or stylish as a pair of bike shorts, be they paired with a matching workout top and sneakers or an oversize blazer and knee-high boots. (I'm biased toward the latter, but to each their own.)
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6. Legging Bodysuit
IMO, the fewer pieces I have to put on to make a 10/10 outfit, the better. So it's no wonder that I've fallen fast and hard for the legging-bodysuit trend, which needs nothing but knee-high boots or heels and a shacket or a blazer to take it from workout piece to event-ready ensemble.
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7. Leather Leggings
Once my least-favorite style of leggings, leather leggings are now at the top of my to-buy list. There's just something so luxurious about the way that the style is being dressed up in 2022 that I can't get out of my head.
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Coming up: The 2022 Staples That Just Look Perfect With Leggings
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
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