Leggings Are No Longer Basic, and These 9 Outfits Make Them Look Anything But

As a cozy girl at heart, I've always had leggings in my at-home wardrobe. But I can't deny that a piece of me has been quietly waiting for the day they became ultra trendy again so I could use some outfit inspiration to wear my leggings more regularly. Now while leggings have never exactly been out, they've been preferred in the loungewear sector and nowhere near "high-fashion." And while sure, I love wearing them to a workout class or under a baggy sweatshirt when I'm out running an errand, I'm ready to get more use out of them.

We've already compiled a roundup of the best legging looks from celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski and Hailey Bieber, but now we took to the fashion set on Instagram to find even more standout looks to copy. And trust me, the outfits below aren't the basic outfits you'd always expect with leggings. They're elevated, on-trend, and easy to wear. Have a scroll. You'll thank me later.

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Seeing leather jackets with jeans is a common sight, but I think they look even better with leggings. And adding a tall pair of boots to the look? Perfection.

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(Image credit: @anna_laplaca)

Pairing stirrup leggings with a cinched blazer is the best way to make the once-casual item become ultra luxe.

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(Image credit: @taniceelizabeth)

Go for the extra-cozy approach by your styling your leggings with a very oversize sweaterdress, and bring it up a notch with heeled mules.

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(Image credit: nlmarilyn)

A suit set is always a great idea, but how about we change things up from trousers with high-waisted leggings? Get a pair with added sheen to add texture and interest. 

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(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

Who says you can't make it to that party and be comfortable? Plus, it's French-girl approved.

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(Image credit: @aniyahmorinia)

If you haven't noticed, blazers pair pretty well with leggings in the fashion world. This time, stray away from neutrals with a saturated pair of leggings for a fun touch.

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(Image credit: @elizagracehuber)

Take the fashion risk, and layer cropped leggings under a miniskirt. If you don't trust me, trust Tory Burch, as she presented the look in her S/S 23 collection.

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(Image credit: @jen_wonders)

Leggings and thigh-high leather boots make for a cool yet effortless combination.

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(Image credit: @DEBORABROSA)

I know I said there are no basic looks in this roundup, but when in doubt, keep it simple. And if Princess Diana approved of this look, we can't really say no.

Next up, the winter staples NYC-based celebs can't live without.

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Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.