How To Wear Leggings Now

I’m taking over our usual #myeverydayedit spot to talk about leggings.  In the comments section of the cozy sweater article, Beth had asked us for legging inspiration, so I’ve been doing a little thinking.  If you follow me on Instagram (@shanachristine), I threw a few of these pics out there already, and asked TME’s insta-community for additional ideas.  They’ve been insanely helpful, tagging relevant pics with #themomeditleggings.  (I know, I know – so literal.  I’ve been busy, you guys, and the only other hashtag I could come up with was #TMEslicklegs and NO.  Just NO.)

In any case, here are three ways I’ve been wearing leggings-as-real-pants (as well as a few ideas from the #myeverydayedit community on Instagram).

Use a Collared Shirt (or Shirt Dress)

Leggings always feel like pajamas to me, so a collared shirt helps to keep the whole look intentional.  I like the shirts long enough to peek out at the bottom to cover the, uh, *girlfriend* region, so tall mamas might want to try a shirtdress.  (This is Cam’s fav trick.)

A few of our favorite long shirts are Equipment’s Margaux Blouse (or Equipment’s silk shirts), Express’ Portofino Tunic, Lush Roll Tab Tunic (from the BP section at Nordstrom), Joe Fresh’s long shirt….or, for more plaid, I can usually get away with Rails, but taller mamas should probably stick with plaid shirtdresses.  I like this one.

Let’s gracefully gloss over the Pilling Sweater Issue, please.  I haven’t yet unpacked my sweater shaver, and sooo….anyway, I had started photoshopping out some of the fuzzies and after five minutes of that nonsense was all WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE so whatever.

Outfit Details

sweater:  My poor, sweet, abused Vince sweater (only available in gray, but currently 25% off)

shirt: old Elizabeth and James, from eBay

leggings: Plush liquid leggings

boots: Coach Bonnie Bootie

bag: Rebecca Minkoff Julian Fringe Backpack

Pile On Lots of Flowy Layers, Ground It With OTK Boots

What’s better than one cardigan?  TWO CARDIGANS.

Just kidding.  I kinda hate cardigans.  Actually, it’s really complex relationship that we don’t have time to fully explore.  So suffice to say that if I’m going cardigan, I prefer mine thin, drapy, and circle.  Which often means they’re not that warm.  So…..two.  Layered over a flowy long-sleeve tunic-tee.   (Confusing, hybrid clothing names are what I resort to when confronted with Free People anything.)

And the boots help to ground this outfit by giving it a little edge.

Layering gets tricky – in general, you want the thicker knit on the outside.  But if they’re a similar knit, then layer the shorter one on the outside.

In hindsight, the hat may have been too much.

Outfit Details

flowy long-sleeve tunic-tee: Free People Ventura HIgh/Low Top (size xs)

cardigan ONE (under): sold out, but this All Saints cardigan is even better

cardigan TWO (over): old Banana Republic, but this H&M chunky knit cardigan would totally work

leggings: Plush liquid leggings

boots: Nine West Tiberia Boots

bag: Rebecca Minkoff Julian Fringe Backpack

hat: Madewell Softest Rib Beanie

Go All Crazy Legs

I love crazy, patterned leggings  – such a fun departure from basic black.  Per usual, I paired them with OTK boots and a longer top.

Outfit Details

shirt: Free People Ventura HIgh/Low Top (size xs)

leggings: Onzie Low Rise Long Leggings in Moonwalk (currently on sale!)

boots: Nine West Tiberia Boots

bag: Rebecca Minkoff Julian Fringe Backpack

sunglasses: Ray Bans

Here are a few other ways the #myeverydayedit community has been wearing their leggings….

Clockwise, from top left:

1. @cbdesignsshop paired hers with combat boots and a long, skinny blazer.  Love.

2. @alifeunstyled nailed it with belted drapy layers (and, I think, pom-poms?).  Whoa.  Cool.

3. @dawnparsons_ shows how lux, patterned sneaks instantly glam up leggings and a basic sweater

4. @the_fly_mommy has lots of drapey black layers and animal-print booties.  She’s gone in a classic direction with a plaid scarf….I plan to copy this outfit but will swap the scarf for a leather jacket.  Instant rock-chick.

Happy Monday!

xo,

S