This Is How to Wear Leggings as Pants in 2023 and Still Look Relevant

If you’re still trying to break the habit of wearing leggings all day every day, you’re not alone. Between 2020 and 2022, leggings were basically the only type of pants in existence. And, it’s kind of bittersweet to end a two-year streak of wearing elastic waistbands. 

So why bother? There are plenty of ways to wear leggings as pants that don’t feel or look super dated. The key is, of course, letting other parts of the outfit do the heavy style lifting. For example, we love the look of leggings with an oversize blazer—a combo we would never have tried if not for endless Zoom meetings—which can look more playful with the right shoes and accessories and less like you just threw this jacket on to look professional. 

Or perhaps you’ve doubled down on neutral shades and matching sets and are looking for a way to wear them that does not include denim. In that case, we suggest moving beyond your basic black leggings for something a bit more intentional, like a soft brown or heather gray. 

Lest we forget, leggings are a great way to put the focus on tall socks with logos or interesting details and can easily be styled with a variety of shoes from slingbacks to ballet slippers. With that in mind, we’ve pulled key pieces from seven outfits with leggings that will let you keep wearing the beloved stretch pants into 2023 and beyond. Get ready—your go-to leggings are about to have a glow-up.