Leggings can be a budget-friendly essential, yet pairing them with these five winter trends elevates them beyond the ordinary.
On those brisk mornings when you wake up already feeling behind and can't bear to part with your cozy Olivia Von Halle pajamas or If Only If night dresses, leggings serve as a quick solution to help you stay comfortable throughout the day while looking incredibly chic. They are a remedy for the winter chill that comes with this time of year, acting as a substitute for the sumptuous loungewear styles we dream of wearing all day. Though they can’t quite compete with snuggling under a flannel duvet and slipping into a pair of bed socks like Bridget Jones, leggings offer a more socially acceptable option for fulfilling the essential needs of staying warm and looking stylish (two key elements of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs).
While I enjoy a leggings outfit just as much as anyone else, I have one minor issue with them. Due to their basic nature, I often feel that the chicest leggings looks can tend to be a bit repetitive. Even as someone who has built a career around identifying and reporting fashion trends, I too find myself caught in the cycle of finding a successful ensemble formula. Lately, I’ve been pairing cropped leggings with a boxy high-neck knit and ruched loafers, wearing it until the silhouette feels worn out. Although I embrace being an outfit repeater, a trait that aligns with my sustainable fashion approach, there’s nothing inherently wrong with this. However, this season, I aim to dress up more and challenge myself to be a bit more deliberate about my outfits—even concerning something as affordable and accessible as leggings. Therefore, I've decided to create a guide to the freshest trends that you can incorporate into your next leggings outfit to give it a completely new feel. Most of these trends are likely items you already have, thanks to the timeless nature of the season, making these chic additions simply a matter of shopping from your own wardrobe. From floor-length coats to funnel-neck jackets, keep scrolling for the key winter trends to wear with leggings.
**The 5 Chicest Winter Trends to Wear With Leggings**
1. **Funnel-Necks**
*Style Notes:* Despite the unappealing name that reminds me of a rather useless kitchen tool—you really have to be Molly Baz or Sophia Roe to own one of these—funnel-neck jackets are among the most sought-after items right now. Relaxed and perfect for keeping warm on chilly walks, adding this piece to your outerwear collection will instantly elevate your look.
*Shop the Trend:*
- This Róhe style is at the top of every fashion editor's wish list.
- For the cost of a pastry and a coffee, you can get a pair to carry you through the coming months.
- **Reiss** Oversized Grained-Leather Bomber Jacket in Burgundy - This has a distinct Saint Laurent vibe.
- **VARLEY** Assure Stretch Leggings - Bitter chocolate is a top winter color, and embracing it through luxurious leggings is a great choice.
2. **Floor Length Coats**
*Style Notes:* The debate continues over whether leggings are appropriate office wear—some think they lack the formality suitable for workplaces, while others argue there's nothing inherently wrong with them that should keep them out of boardroom meetings. You can take inspiration from corporate classics to dress up any leggings look. Consider the floor-length coat, popular with everyone from preppy finance types to mob bosses; this tailored staple can transform anything worn underneath into something that seems far more expensive than it is. Plus, if you’re dealing with a strict dress code, this style is long enough to disguise any outfit misdemeanors.
*Shop the Trend:*
- **VICTORIA BECKHAM** Wool Coat - Just a glance at Victoria Beckham reflects her expertise in sharp British tailoring.
- Stirrup leggings are the best of the best in this category.
- **MANGO** Handmade Wool Coat With Belt - This one doesn’t quite touch the floor, a blessing for germaphobes, but is just as chic.
- **ZARA** Limited Edition Knit Leggings
3. **Flannel Shirts**
*Style Notes:* Back from the ‘90s, the humble flannel shirt has returned. Once confined to the wardrobes of grunge musicians like Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, this former symbol of anti-establishment has ironically become a mainstream favorite. Thanks to labels like The Row and COS giving it a high-fashion twist, you'll find that every fashion insider sports one tied around their waist or over their shoulders. While this look might elicit eye-rolls from those who experienced its earlier popularity nearly three decades ago, there’s something effortlessly elegant about it. Personally, I enjoy wearing mine during my weekend pastry runs after pilates to achieve that off-duty vibe.
*Shop the Trend:*
- **COS** Checked Flannel Shirt - This is the season's cult favorite, and
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Leggings can be a budget-friendly essential, yet pairing them with these five winter trends elevates them beyond the ordinary.
And overcome the cold of winter.