Stylish Ways to Wear Jeggings: Casual or Dressed Up

Co-authored by Veronica Tharmalingam and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: January 12, 2022 References

Jeggings combine the stretchy, form-fitting comfort of leggings with the classic look of jeans. If you’ve been wondering whether you can pull off these slinky pseudo-pants, the answer is yes! They’re super versatile and can be flattering to all body types. Paired with the right top and your favorite shoes, jeggings are a fun and fashionable part of a wide variety of casual outfits.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Everyday Casual Looks

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Put on jeggings for a casual outing or a night on the town. Jeggings are a great choice for casual, everyday wear, but you can also dress them up a little if you want! Put them on whenever you want to combine the comfort of leggings with the fashionable, classic look of jeans.^{[1]
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- For instance, you might wear jeggings with your favorite baggy t-shirt and sneakers for a trip to the grocery store, then put on a nice blouse and pumps and wear them out for a date night.
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Throw on a loose, tunic-style top to balance your look. While jeggings are great for showing off your legs, they’ll also show off everything else below the waist! For the most flattering look, pair them with a top that’s a little loose and flowy, and also long enough to cover your butt.^{[2]
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- A long, loose top will help cover up any bumps or bulges around your hips, thighs, and midsection to create a flattering silhouette.
- For example, you could put on a tunic, a flowy blouse, or a slouchy, long sweater.
- Tops with asymmetrical hems create an interesting visual line. They also let you show off a little bit of your shape while still leaving something to the imagination!
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Pick a colorful or patterned top to contrast with your jeggings. Like their cousins, jeans, most jeggings come in neutral colors like dark blue, black, or gray. To add a fun and eye-catching element to your outfit, match your jeggings with a more colorful top.^{[3]
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- For instance, you could pair some dark blue jeggings with a bright yellow tunic or a jewel-toned, patterned shirt dress.
- Not all jeggings are plain, though. Mix it up by wearing a solid-colored top with some brightly colored floral print jeggings.
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Wear flats or sneakers to complete a comfy, casual look. One great thing about jeggings is that they look fantastic with just about any kind of shoe.^{[4]
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Research source} For a casual day out, jeggings will pair perfectly with your favorite flats, sneakers, or running shoes.
- If the weather is warm enough, you could even put on a pair of sandals.^{[5]
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Pick shoes in a contrasting color to brighten up your outfit. A pair of colorful shoes can really pull your look together. If your jeggings are dark or neutral, add some excitement with some bright or jewel-toned footwear.^{[6]
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- For example, pair gray or dark blue jeggings with a solid teal tunic and yellow polka-dot flats for a fun and springy ensemble.
- If your jeggings are patterned or brightly colored, stick with shoes in a neutral shade, like black, white, brown, gray, or nude.

Method 2

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Bundling up in Cool Weather

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Wear jeggings when the weather is cool so you don’t overheat. In general, jeggings are tight like leggings and thick like jeans, so they can be pretty unforgiving in hot, humid weather. Save them for the autumn, cool spring days, and mild winter weather.^{[7]
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- You can get jeggings that are thinner and stretchier, more like regular leggings. Look for jeggings specifically made for active use if you want to wear them on hot days or while jogging or working out.
- For really cold weather, get a pair of extra thick or fleece-lined jeggings to keep your legs nice and toasty.
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Get cozy with a slouchy sweater. Jeggings pair wonderfully with long, comfy sweaters and sweater tunics. Grab your favorite long or oversized sweater and put it on over jeggings to stay warm and stylish.^{[8]
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- For instance, if you’re heading out for the afternoon on a chilly fall day, put on a chunky, thigh-length cable knit sweater over a pair of fleece-lined jeggings.
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Put on a sweater dress for a dressier look. Sweater dresses are great for dressing up in cooler weather, but they tend to leave your legs out in the cold. Fortunately, they look fantastic over leggings or skinny jeans—and jeggings, of course, are the best of both worlds!^{[9]
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Research source} Pair a short sweater dress with your favorite pair of jeggings for an outfit that’s sexy but won’t freeze your knees off.
- If your dress is colorful, stick to dark or neutral jeggings so they don’t distract attention from the dress.
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Layer on a long jacket or cardigan if it’s chilly out. Jeggings look fantastic with layers, which means they make a great part of a chilly weather ensemble! Keep warm and flatter your figure with a long jacket or cardigan over jeggings on crisp autumn or mild winter days.
- For example, put on a pair of jeggings with a long blouse and a duster jacket for a cozy but put-together look.
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Throw on some boots to keep your feet warm. Jeggings work even better than skinny jeans for tucking into all sorts of boots.^{[10]
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Research source} In the autumn or winter, wear them with ankle boots or even a sexy pair of thigh-highs!
- Slouchy or chunky boots make a nice contrast with the slim, form-fitting line of the jeggings.
- For example, brighten up a winter day by wearing black jeggings with a slouchy red turtleneck and matching ankle boots, then bundle up in a long gray jacket.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Dressing up Jeggings

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Pair jeggings with a short to mid-length dress for a bit of flair. Have a short dress or skirt that you’ve been dying to wear, but don’t want to put your whole thigh area on display? Jeggings to the rescue! Put on your favorite pair of jeggings under a miniskirt or an above-the-knee dress for a slightly dressed-up look.^{[11]
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- Stick to plain and simple jeggings in a neutral color to pull off this look. This will help focus attention on the dress rather than the pants.
- Jeggings and their close relatives, skinny jeans, look especially cool and classic when paired with a button-up shirt dress.^{[12]
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Wear a blouse and blazer with jeggings for a business-casual vibe. Wearing jeggings to work might seem a little unorthodox, but you can totally make it work with the right top! Put on a nice blouse or tunic and top it off with a long blazer for a dressed up, professional look.^{[13]
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- Ideally, you should opt for a tunic-style top that will cover your entire rear end. That can keep your outfit from seeming unprofessionally skimpy.^{[14]
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  Expert Source
  
  Veronica Tharmalingam
  Professional Stylist
  Expert Interview. 13 May 2019.}
- If you’re wearing jeggings to work, stick to dark or neutral colors. Avoid jeggings that are made to look like distressed, faded, or acid-washed jeans.
- You can even get jeggings in khaki shades that resemble traditional business casual pants.
- If your workplace is really formal or conservative, skip the jeggings and stick to traditional dress pants or slacks.
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Pull your outfit together with dress shoes or heels. Going out for the evening? Spice up your look with a pair of heels or dress shoes. Just about any style will work with jeggings, but simple heeled pumps make for an especially elegant and classic look.^{[15]
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- For instance, you could wear jeggings with a pair of pumps and a long blazer for a sleek, casually dressy outfit.
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Steer clear of jeggings at formal events. Jeggings may be a little dressier than other leggings, but they’re still essentially casual wear. Avoid wearing jeggings or any other kind of leggings at any event that calls for a really formal look.^{[16]
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- For example, it’s best to skip jeggings in a formal office setting or at any event where you might wear a suit, cocktail dress, or evening gown.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can leggings be work appropriate?

Veronica Tharmalingam
Professional Stylist
Veronica Tharmalingam is a Personal Stylist who runs her fashion consulting business, SOS Fashion, in Los Angeles, California and Paris, France. She has over 10 years of experience crafting stylish wardrobes for men and women. Veronica is also a professional model and has worked with international brands like Harrods, LVMH, and L'Oreal.

Veronica Tharmalingam

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Leggings are comfortable, but they aren't pants! If you want to wear them, pair them with an oversized shirt or sweater that's long enough to cover your butt comfortably. However, before you leave, be sure to bend down and look in the mirror to see if they're see-through. If they don't pass the test, don't wear them.