Leggings in one form or another have been around since the 18th century. Originally worn by men, usually made of cloth or leather, leggings or leg wrappings were seen as a functional garment for soldiers and trappers. Nowadays, leggings are mostly considered women’s wear that is both functional and fashionable. Function in that they are standard gear for various forms of exercise and physical activity, and fashionable as they are a ubiquitous part of the athleisure and street styles. As with all styles and garments, they cycle through various trends. For the 2025 fall/winter season, leggings have gone through a few reinventions with an interesting mix of colors, fresh silhouettes, and styling hacks. Here is a rundown of this season’s leggings trends.
First up, everyday leggings. You might normally lean toward trousers and skirts for your 9-to-5, but when you’re off-duty, why not sport something nondescript, smoothing, and super stretchy? The everyday legging is not meant to compress, nor are they suited for exercise. It’s to be worn for ease and comfort. Try a pair like Aerie’s Offline Real Me XTRA Ribbed Legging, with its medium support rendered in a lightweight yet buttery fabric with 4-way stretch. Wear it with an oversized T-shirt, sneakers, and a denim jacket. Or create a matching set and pair them with the brand’s Waffle Notch Neck Long Sleeve t-shirt for a casual yet coordinated look.
Next up are straight-cut leggings. This surprising, and fairly sophisticated legging trend helps create a clean line down the leg, instead of tapering around the ankle. It’s almost like wearing a snug pant, but with more stretch. Old Navy’s High-Waisted StudioSmoooth Straight Legging hits at the belly button and comes with a hidden back pocket. Wear this as part of a monochromatic look for a polished yet laid-back outfit. You can further elevate a straight legging by pairing it with a blazer, button-down, and a chunky loafer.
Moving on to something a bit controversial, the stirrup legging. An unconventional silhouette for sure, and deeply rooted in memories of the ‘80s and crimped hair. The stirrup legging has practical and, for those brave enough, fashionable uses. For those unfamiliar, the design features a sort of loop to wrap around your foot, which will keep them in place when wearing tall boots or during ballet class for those who attend. That’s the practical way to wear stirrup leggings. If you want to really lean into this trend, then style a pair like Loft’s Stirrup Leggings in Ponte not around your foot, but instead over your shoe, preferably a kitten heel. Please note: I do not recommend this styling trick, but it does exist, and I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t report upon it.
A less contentious leggings trend this season are flared leggings. Because of the relaxed fabric, this style takes the form of a gentle boot cut as opposed to a true, defined flare, which makes for a comfortable but cute look when paired with an oversized sweater and fitted over a tall boot. H&M has Flared Leggings in black and glittery; scoop up both pairs at just $18 each. Wear the black pair during the daytime, then switch to the glittery version with heels for the evening. Or lean into the ‘70s-esque silhouette and style a brown pair like Dillard’s Honey & Sparkle Mid Rise Folder Over Flare Leggings with a fringy suede jacket and cowboy boots.
The last legging trend to consider this season are shiny leggings. Like the stirrup, this is not for the faint of heart and must be approached with caution. No one is suggesting a bright metallic hot pink disco pant here. Think more of high gloss in sophisticated tones, like Evolve Fit Wear’s Mavel Leggings in graphite. A dark, yet gleaming shade is a sneaky layering piece and can be worn in lieu of tights with dresses for a chilly evening out. Or check out Victoria’s Secret’s GlossyTech Legging in dark steel or ganache for daytime when worn with an oversized button-down, jacket, and boots. If black leggings are your regular go-to, consider a shiny pair like Spanx’s Patent Legging in classic black to put a bit of sheen and shine into your regular legging look.
Not everyone enjoys wearing leggings, but you can’t deny their lasting popularity and ongoing presence in everyday style, especially for casual weekend looks. If you are a leggings fan, then consider some of the options to refresh or re-find a trendy legging style to suit you this season and into next.
