One New Way to Wear Leggings as Pants

Affiliate Links // Some items in this outfit were received c/o the brand and are labeled as such.

Wait, what? Yes, you read that correctly. I decided to take a stab at wearing leggings as pants. Now, I’m not advocating you run around in the thin leggings you can find for a couple of bucks at your local mall. The leggings I’m talking about are almost pants. A Ponte knit pant if you will. And these, I believe, can be transitioned from your fall and winter sweater’s favorite partner into something a little more warm weather appropriate.

How to Wear Leggings as Pants with Long Vest // Hello Rigby Seattle Style Blog

What I’m Wearing

Vest: GNW c/o Fred Meyer
Top: JCPenney, old (similar)
Leggings: Patch Me Up Leggings c/o Mo & Cho Boutique
Bag: Fringe Bucket Bag via Dailylook (similar)
Sandals: Madden Girl Lori Heel via Journey’s
Necklace: Mirage Pendant Necklace c/o Stella & Dot
Hat: Merona Straw Fedora via Target

How to Wear Leggings as Pants

What to Wear for Spring in Seattle // Hello Rigby Seattle Fashion Blog

When spring rolls around, I always start to pack up my favorites from fall and winter. Out goes the fur, the thick knits, and cozy sweaters and in goes the boyfriend shorts, swimsuit cover-ups, and the espadrilles. This year, I didn’t want to pack everything away so it’s been an interesting challenge to see if I can make some of my favorite cold weather pieces work for spring too. These faux leather leggings are made of a thick ponte, almost scuba-like material. They’re a little long, so I opted to roll them at the ankle to add to the illusion that these are in fact pants.

How to Wear Leggings as Pants with Sandals // Hello Rigby Seattle Style Blog

The goal of this particular outfit was to give the black pant and black top almost the appearance of a jumpsuit. If I’m perfectly honest, I don’t think it worked out quite the way I had imagined it in my head, but I like the idea none the less and think this could easily be accomplished with other legging-almost-pants that you have in your wardrobe.

The star of this outfit is the third piece: the vest. I picked this one up at Fred Meyer (seriously, can you believe that?! I’ve found so many amazing pieces there!) and love the colorful pop it adds to the outfit. The vest serves two purposes: it covers my butt, and it makes an otherwise lackluster, all black outfit more interesting. It’s lightweight which makes it perfect for the spring and summer months here in Seattle, yet I could see transitioning this into fall as well.

How to Wear Leggings a Pants in Summer // Hello Rigby Seattle Style

If you don’t own a vest like this and don’t feel like you’d wear it enough to make it a valuable addition to your closet, try a poncho, duster sweater, or even a lightweight trench instead. The goal of your third piece is to keep your butt covered and add some interest to your outfit. All of the above suggestions would do just that and add a very different look depending on what you selected.

Casual Summer Outfit for Pacific Northwest // Hello Rigby Seattle Style Blog

To accessorize, I added my favorite hat that I take on every warm-weather vacation, as well as my fringe bucket bag which is one of my all-time favorite purchases from DailyLook (now unavailable, but the Nordstrom version I’ve linked is super similar!). To draw the attention upwards, I also added the Mirage Pendant Necklace from the Stella & Dot Summer Collection. Finally, the sandals from Madden Girl give this outfit the casual summer vibe I was going for. (Plus, they’re super comfortable and just $30!)

Have you ever attempted to wear leggings as pants? What do you think about leggings worn as pants: possible, or total faux pas? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

14 thoughts on “One New Way to Wear Leggings as Pants

  1. Katrina

    I am totally in favour of leggings as pants! They’re just so comfortable! Plus, I feel like the way you layered this outfit, it’s so hard to tell that they’re leggings to begin with. Totally different story when I see folks wearing leggings as pants with crop tops and it’s like, “… I definitely know those are leggings”.

    Reply
    1. Jenn Post author

      Thanks Katrina! Haha, agreed! Cropped tops and leggings don’t mix in my opinion, I definitely have seen a few ladies attempting that with nearly see through leggings. Not a good look!

      Reply
  2. Chelsie

    I love those leggings and wear leggings as pants all the time (but always with a long tunic or top to cover my bum!) They are just so comfortable and cozy and perfect for the rainy spring days when you want to be cozy!

    Reply
    1. Jenn Post author

      They really are perfect! This was one of those cool, gray Seattle days and it was the perfect amount of warmth without looking too fall-ish! :)

      Reply
  3. Niki

    I’ve been loving leggings lately! Have you checked out Express’ leggings? I just bought two faux leather pairs at their outlet store and I love them.

    Since I’m trying to get back in shape, my weight (and clothing size) is all over the place but leggings always fit Lol

    http://www.LoveNiki.com

    Reply
    1. Jenn Post author

      I haven’t! Will have to take a peek next time I’m at the mall! Leggings are great and so comfortable. :)

      Reply

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