One of the most common questions I get asked about fall and winter style is how to make cute outfits with leggings, or suggestions for tops you can wear with leggings. I haven’t talked about it because it hasn’t really been my style–until recently!
I think I finally get it, you guys. I’ve been very slow and hesitant to consider leggings as acceptable parts of outfits except under dresses because I’ve mostly seen them go horribly wrong. Like, really thin and really see-through. With nothing covering the rear. And did I mention see-through?!?
Well, great news yall! I finally found a pair of leggings that I feel pretty darn secure in, AND I found several longer tees, tops, and sweaters that should be long enough to keep most of us covered. For today’s post I’m partnering with Nordstrom to showcase all of that AND to show 3 outfit ideas with leggings!
They also have that little pocket for your key or credit card if you wanna take them for a jog! Though they’re activewear leggings, they are matte and don’t have that shine that many workout pants have, which I think is why so many people wear them as leggings for everyday style. As far as price, I think of them like paying for a pair of jeans rather than a pair of tights.
The weather’s been too warm for me to wear these for a whole day, but many reviewers say they keep their shape and stay up. I find the legs to be extremely flattering too. For length, I’m 5’6″ and I have about 1-2 extra inches.
In the past I’ve talked about a different pair of leggings by Hue (HERE), which are also incredibly flattering, but they have mixed reviews about whether or not they’re see through. I sleep in those and still love them, but unlike these Zella leggings, I don’t feel quite secure enough in the Hue pair to wear them outside, even with a tunic covering me.
Outfit #1: Casual Activities or Lounging Around the House
A long sleeve cotton tee is a great basic to pair with leggings, especially for lounging around. Here I paired it with riding boots and a puffer vest, but I could have worn sneakers and a cardigan as well (like THIS cardigan or THIS one).
The angle of these pictures makes it look like the tee is barely long enough to cover me, but it is actually a few inches past my rear and front, just to assure you. It’s 29″ long. It comes in and out of stock, but is also available in another color with stripes HERE, and is just $19. It’s also available in 5 solid colors in ample stock HERE. However, while I can’t speak for all the colors, the solid white one is pretty see-through. I’m normally size 6/8 or S/M and wear this in Small.
These pieces are all in the Thanksgiving Packing Post, so you can do this on your holiday trip if you swap out the black jeans for leggings and the striped tee for a tee long enough to cover you.
Shop for the Look:
Tee: Nordstrom (exact)
Vest: Old Navy
Leggings: Nordstrom (exact)
Boots: Fergalicious (similar, similar, similar)
Outfit #2: Layered Up Casual for Errands
This outfit pulls together some of my favorite pieces! I’m using this white tunic that I’ve talked about as one of my favorites many times before, but I usually tuck it in front and blouse it out because it is so darn long. (See my tucked-in looks HERE.) In this case I’m actually utilizing its length! I’m normally size 6/8 or S/M and wear this in Medium. Comes in 7 colors HERE. BTW, I do NOT dry clean these! I hand or machine wash and air dry.
I love how cozy the top is when paired with one of my favorite cardigans and this white plaid scarf–both of which I’ve talked also about before. Like I said, an outfit of my favorites! So darn cute.
These pieces are also in the Thanksgiving Packing Post and can be done following the same tips mentioned above.
Shop for the Look:
Top: Nordstrom (exact)
Cardigan: Nordstrom (exact, similar)
Leggings: Nordstrom (exact)
Boots: Fergalicious (similar, similar, similar)
Scarf: c/o ModCloth (super similar)
Bag: Nordstrom (exact)
Outfit #3: Plaid Tunics for Lunch with Friends and Holiday Shopping. Or Dressed Up with Heels!
Tunic length plaid tops are great when you don’t want leggings to look like loungewear. I went again with a vest because…well because I’m obsessed. *shrug* 😉
You could also dress up a plaid tunic by ditching the vest and flat riding boots and exchanging them for a pair of heels and a statement necklace.
Linked below are a few more plaid tops!
Shop for the Look:
Top: J.Crew Factory (similar–much longer! 3 colors, similar–4 colors)
Vest: J.Crew Factory
Leggings: Nordstrom (exact)
Boots: Fergalicious (similar, similar, similar)
Tops and Sweaters for Leggings
Below are a few tees, tunics, and sweaters for leggings. I didn’t even show sweaters for leggings because I don’t have any long enough. YET. 😉 Gonna order some of these to try!
Top #1 is the shortest at 27″, but most are 29″ – 31″ long. They all come in multiple colors, so if you like the shape or cut be sure to explore further.
