How to Wear Leggings the Right Way

Leggings have taken on a life of their own. Remember when they were just that balled-up blob in your dresser drawer that you grabbed when you were pretending to work out? Now you can google “leggings” and you’ll find every article imaginable, including “How Accepting Leggings as Pants Made Me a Better Feminist.” We couldn’t make that up if we tried.

Here’s the deal. You’re not a newbie, and you’ve probably owned leggings for as long as you’ve been throwing back cake-flavored shots with girls who smell like Clinique Happy, but how you wear the snugly staple is a whole new ballgame. Because what may have worked in 2004 ain’t cutting it in 2014, sister. Above, how to wear leggings the right way.

Leggings

Chanel Fall 2014

When your nine-to-five runs into your bootie bootcamp, there's only one solution — multitask.
Under Armour

UA Fly-By Leggings, $54.99 at Under Armour
Solow

Colorblock Leggings, $84 at Nordstrom
Manish Arora

Candy Ice Printed Lycra Leggings, $462 at Luisa Via Roma
Athleta

Power Lift Leggings, $89 at Athleta
Stella McCartney for Adidas

Run Performance Leggings, $110 at Adidas
Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2014

The only thing that makes us fall asleep faster than a Xanax is black leggings paired with flats. Whimsical woodland creatures and Camelot-style hoods will nip that right where it counts. After all, fantasy doesn't have to be confined to the bedroom.
Rick Owens

Leggings, $890 at Neiman Marcus
Y 3

Embroidered Legging, $165 at Ssense
Lauren Ralph Lauren

Sequin Leggings, $60 at Bloomingdale's
Marc Jacobs Fall 2014

PJ games aren't just for OKCupid dates. Marc Jacobs said so.
Plush

Marled Sweater Leggings, $88 at Revolve
Banjo & Matilda

Cashmere Beach Leggings, $350 at Shopbop
Donna Karan

Stretch Cashmere Melange Leggings, $550 at Neiman Marcus
Toteme

Rimini Cashmere Leggings, $500 at Net-A-Porter
Issey Miyake Fall 2014

That whole schleppy grunge thing is fun for a minute, but a little structure never hurt anyone. Millennials, are you listening?
Vince

Scrunch Ankle Leggings, $195 at Shopbop
Vince

Leather Leggings, $1,250 at Saks
Maje

Garcia Leggings, $305 at Net-A-Porter
Stella McCartney Fall 2014

If you're prone to watching reruns of "I Love the 80s" and have a hidden stash of Yanni on cassette, pony up to leggings with stirrups. They're a sure thing.
Y.A.S.

Roma Metallic Leggings, $53.06 at ASOS
Guess

Stirrup Leggings, $59.50 at Guess
Fendi

Ski Stirrup Leggings, $788 at Matches