I think everyone reading this post owns a pair of leggings. They could be made from a combination of cotton, spandex, leather, faux leather or anything in between but we all know leggings (especially black leggings), are a wardrobe staple that are here to stay.
Whether you wear them as an extra layer of warmth or to cover your legs in a more professional manner, a pair of leggings can go with so many different outfits.
As someone who loves to live in leggings while staying at home during the winter months I have owned my fair share of this clothing item. What I love about leggings is depending on what you pair them with, you can get a different type of outfit, befitting of a different dress code. Not too long ago, I decided to give the black leather leggings trend a go and I have bee pleasantly surprised.
I used to be under the impression that leather leggings were reserved for women size 4 and below because I found them so difficult to get into. With my wider hips and fuller thighs, it became a sweaty and uncomfortable experience trying to wear a pair of leather leggings or faux leather pants.
I had purchased a couple from Fashion Nova and to this day, they are hanging in my closet. I wore them twice for 2 photoshoots and can no longer be bothered to wear them in real life.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links, at no cost to you.
Where can I find leather leggings?
I was extremely happy to discover that Spanx has a pair of faux leather leggings that were meant to not only hold things in (if you know what I mean) but also be comfortable for everyday wear. When I saw more women who looked like me raving about the Spanx leggings, I knew they had to be legit.
I decided I would write a blog post giving you ideas on how to wear a pair of leather (or faux leather) leggings should you be wondering how you could style these gems.
A pair of real leather leggings or black leather pants could set you back over $500 like these ones from Banana Republic. They would definitely last for many years with proper are and so I would consider them a serious wardrobe investment.
Don’t worry, styling a pair of leather leggings is similar to styling regular leggings and so these looks would work just as well with your Aerie, H&M as well as other brands of leggings. The only difference is that leather leggings add an edge to your leggings outfits.
Speaking of which, if your budget is tight for a new pair of Spanx leggings, I highly recommend the Aerie Offline leggings which I personally wear at home almost everyday.
I even have a full and honest review of the Aerie leggings HERE.
In today’s blog post, I would be showing you different ways to style a pair of leather leggings to create stylish looks you can wear from season to season. Whether you are looking to create casual outfits or dressier ones, you are bound to find at least a few outfits that fit your personal style. There’s no reason why you can’t partake in this fashion trend, regardless of your body type.
What can I wear with leather leggings?
1) A blazer
A great way to make your leather leggings outfits look more professional is to add a structured blazer. If you don’t want to wear your leggings as pants, opt for a long shirt underneath that covers your bum. During the colder months, you could replace your long shirt with a long-sleeved sweater to stay warmer. Longline blazers are a great option to go with if your top is shorter but you still want a more conservative look.
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For footwear, add a pair of high heels if you’re headed to a fancier gathering. A pair of heeled ankle boots also work if you’re styling this look in the Fall. If you’re headed to the mall or the movies, a pair of white sneakers work fine. A black blazer with some gold button details would make for a classic look if paired with black leather leggings.
2) An oversized sweater
During the winter season, you can still rock your leather leggings. The key here is to layer them with other warm pieces of clothing such as a chunky sweater. Pair your leggings with an oversized sweater and a pair of knee-high boots for a chic look that would also keep you warm. You could even wear a button-down shirt underneath your sweater to make your look more preppy.
Get the look HERE
Feel free to opt for a sweater in a bright color or bold print to add some excitement to your outfit. You could also add a jacket or coat on top of your sweater + leggings look if it’s cold outside. Don’t forget the crossbody bag and beanie hat to complete your look.
3) A mini dress
Mini dresses are not only reserved for the warmer months. They can be transitioned to the Fall and beyond by slipping a pair of leather leggings underneath. You can then complete your overall look with a leather jacket to add some edge and your favorite pair of boots. This is a cute look you could wear for date night or to catch a movie.
If you’re headed to a cocktail event, pair your mini dress with a pair of heels and a longline coat such as a trench coat or even a fur coat. Feel free to layer with a cropped blazer and add a skinny belt to accentuate your curves.
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4) A denim shirt
The easiest ways to style a denim shirt is probably by pairing it with black leather leggings and ankle boots. Really bring this edgy look together by tying a plaid shirt around your waist and opting for a pair of combat boots. Your choice of denim shirt could be longer or shorter and you could add some Fall colors to your look by opting for a brown leather jacket instead of a black one.
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Feel free to add a belt to your denim shirt to create a more flattering waistline. You could also throw on a long cardigan sweater to your denim look.
5) A long button-down shirt
If you do not feel like stepping too much out of your comfort zone when it comes to leather pants, I invite you to start small. One of the best ways to do so is by pairing for a long white button down shirt and pairing it with your leggings. This is such a classic look you could even wear on days you’re feeling uncomfortable with your body.
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You could easily give the illusion of an hourglass figure by adding a chunky belt on top of your shirt. Complete your look with a pair of heels or flats, if going or a more casual look. You can get more outfit ideas for styling a white dress shirt on my post: 8 different ways to wear a white dress shirt.
6) A graphic t-shirt
One of my favorite ways to style a pair of black leather leggings for a casual outing Is by pairing them with a graphic tee. I have spoken multiple times on this blog about styling graphic tees with pencil skirts and maxi dresses and this time, we are pairing them with leather leggings. Add a plaid shacket or jacket to complete this more casual look.
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This is some premium street style you could serve without trying if you’re making a quick dash to a local coffee shop or headed to the mall. Throw on a pair of sneakers or a pair of combat boots to complete your look.
7) A sweater dress
It can be tricky wearing sweater dresses in the late Fall as the weather can be so unpredictable. A great idea is to pair them with a pair of leather leggings. Whether, they are mini, midi or maxi in length, the leather bottoms would add a touch of sophistication to your outfit. Pair your shorter sweater dresses with over-the-knee boots and your longer ones with ankle boots. This is also a look you could rock to the office in the colder weather.
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8) A high-low shirt
High low shirts have really taken off in recent years. One of the best ways to make your shirt outfit more stylish is by pairing it with leather leggings. High-low shirts and dresses have an oversized fit so it does not hurt to add a belt on top to show off your curves more. You could also add a blazer to your look to make it more polished.
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A pair of sneakers would be a great choice of footwear if you are going for a laid-back look. If you’re headed to a nice café while on vacation, add a pair of flat sandals and oversized sunglasses. Don’t forget the sunscreen on your way out 😊 Get some more high-low shirt ideas on my blog post: 5 ways to wear a high low shirt HERE.
9) A pencil skirt
I think pencil skirts are the clothing item I talk about the most on this blog. I love the idea of being able to pair them with a simple white shirt and a blazer for an office-friendly work attire. If showing your legs at the office is out of your comfort zone, then you could add a pair of Spanx leather leggings to your outfit.
Complete your look with either a pair of ballet flats, a pair of high heels or even a pair of flat ankle boots. I have a post called 15 ways to wear a black pencil skirt if you are seeking more outfit inspiration for your pencil skirt.
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10) A t-shirt dress
T-shirt dresses are another great option of tops to pair with tight leather leggings, The contrast between the looser fit of the shirt dress with the tighter bottoms is a great combination. This is an artsy look you compliment with bold accessories such as a chunky necklace or statement earrings. On a colder evening, you could complete this look with a denim jacket or with one of your favorite long duster cardigans.
Get the look HERE
I hope I have helped you come up with some outfit ideas you can try with not just a pair of leather leggings, but also a pair of regular leggings. You can most likely already pull off most of these different looks with pieces in your wardrobe.
Check out my post: 8 ways to wear a sweater dress if you enjoyed this post.
I also have a post: 8 shoes to wear with a shirt dress in case you need guidance with that.
For some outfit ideas with leather pants, check out my post: 6 Tops to Wear With Leather Pants.
Until the next post,
XOXO
Theankaraqueen