Wearing leggings to work takes a bit of strategy, if you’re like me and prefer comfort over anything then this post is for you. Here you’ll find tips for what to look for when shopping for leggings, and how to style them to the office so your boss is none the wiser.
If you LOVE wearing leggings (hello comfort) but are unsure of how you can style them so they are work appropriate, this post is for you.
I’m breaking down:
- The differences between different styles of leggings
- What to look for when shopping for leggings
- Brands that sell the kind of leggings you can wear to work
- How to style leggings for a business casual office look
- Finally, how to style leggings for a working from home look
When Choosing Leggings for Work Consider the Style
Not all leggings are created equal, there are different styles, cuts, and fabrics that make each pair unique and changes their versatility and ability to be worn to work or not.
Legging length matters
Length matters, whether it’s the length of your shirt or pants it’s part of style and has it’s own purpose.
Sporty style leggings are a bit shorter to support movement and cool the body. This means that leggings that are shorter than ankle length might come off as sporty and too casual, ruling the style out for office wear.
Colours and patterns
Black is the go-to for business casual office wear, we all know this, black just works with everything and looks the most polished. Neutrals are also making a space for themselves but stay away from colours that look too light. A deep brown is also beautiful with a blazer to match.
RELATED: See How to Style Leather Leggings
Patterns draw attention and can look too casual, I would stay away from having any patterns on your leggings.
Fabric
Fabric is everything. It can make or break how casual the outfit looks, so stick with these fabrics:
- Faux leather looks really classy and smart while staying comfortable
- Wool knit leggings look polished and are very warm for colder months
- Nylon is wrinkle resistant and lightweight meaning they will look crisp all day and great for warmer months
Rise, fit and shape
A high waisted style looks more put together by elongating the body and providing a seamless silhouette, high waisted are also much more comfortable and you won’t be hiking them up throughout the day.
Make sure they are snug fitting so they act as a second skin, baggy bottoms can sometimes look a bit sloppy. We want to avoid that when wearing leggings to work.
Click on an image to shop
Is it Appropriate to Wear Leggings to Work?
It really depends on your work uniform, but it also really depends on what type you buy. Leggings can be work appropriate you just have to buy the right styles. There are leggings on the market that look fancy and you would never know the difference. For outfit inspiration and more detail on styling leggings for a business casual outfit, check out the post linked below.
RELATED: How to Style Leggings for a Business Casual Outfit
Choose well when wearing leggings to work
As stated above they can be business casual if you choose the right colours, fit, and fabric. Create the illusion of office wear by adding a great pair of footwear and a top with a jacket or blazer to complete the look. A completed put together makes a big difference. It’s all about illusion here.
Leggings in the Workplace Dress Code Policy
Firstly, make sure there is no policy in your dress code that prohibits wearing leggings to work, and could potentially get you into trouble. If there is, you see what the wording suggests as acceptable pants and see if you can find comfortable pants that fit the bill but aren’t technically leggings.
What to Wear with Leggings to Work
Since virtual meetings don’t require a full body look, tops are the one piece you can really get creative with. Here is a list of top styles that work perfectly with leggings to work. You can buy a few from each category and be set for months.
- Sweater tunic
- Long blazer
- Fitted long sleeve top
- Cropped crew neck sweater
Business Professional Leggings
Leggings that have a bit more of a structure to them, if you’re a lover of plain cotton leggings I would suggest opting for something that’s a bit elevated like linen for the winter.
Tweed leggings, leather, or swede are also another business professional option.
Business Casual Leggings
I wrote a great blog post on business casual leather leggings with accompanying photos you can refer to.
Recently I purchased the same faux leather leggings in black because they work so well in my wardrobe, and black tends to be more versatile.
Click on an image to shop
What Not to Wear with Leggings to Work
- Crop top
- An equally casual top, keep it dressy on top to balance out the look
What Footwear to Wear With Leggings
Over the knee boots
This is the best pair of footwear since it leaves little fabric showing between the top of the boot and where your shirt starts. This means no one will be able to tell that they’re leggings.
A dressy loafer
Make sure the bottom seam on your leggings is intact and minimal, since you can see the full pant having a dressy pair of loafers actually moves the attention toward the shoes and not your leggings. Lastly, because the loafer is dressy it will pair well with the casual style of the legging and balance out the look. Just make sure your top is long since more of the pants are exposed.
Who Makes the Best Leggings for Work?
- H&M
- Everlane
- Uniqulo
- Encircled
- RW&Co
- JCrew
Lastly, creating a work capsule wardrobe is a great way to figure out what your style is, how you can get the most out of your outfit, and what works in your closet and what doesn’t work. I’ve created a huge Work Capsule Wardrobe Guide PLUS a FREE checklist you can easily download. Simply visit the linked article below:
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- How to Style Leggings for a Business Casual Outfit
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Absolutely love this guide for wearing leggings to work! We design high-end printed leggings that are perfect for dressing up and wearing to the office.
https://www.zoelle.com/
Hello! Mostly we find leggings in athletics rather than the work attire section. Well, ladies used to wear skirts at their workplace, but have to pull them down every 5 seconds. But if we talk about high-impact leggings, they are appropriate for such uses. And this article is a guide to make use of them at places other than the gym. Thanks for the post and keep sharing.