Leggings have become a more-or-less accepted part of business casual attire in the past decade. However, there is more to using leggings in a workplace context than simply throwing on your favorite pair. If worn incorrectly, they can even end up making you look quite unprofessional. Fortunately, the tips we’ve compiled below should make it much simpler for you to integrate leggings into your workplace rotation.
Choose Darker Shades
Regardless of whether you’re talking about leggings or other types of clothing, darker colors are generally a better fit for most offices that enforce a comparatively conservative dress code. Darker leggings are also better at hiding stains and tend to match a greater variety of outfits, making them more practical for use at work when compared to lighter-colored leggings.
Consider Twill Leggings
So long as they fit snugly and are paired with the right pieces, twill leggings should be a good fit for most business casual dress codes. These types of leggings combine the comfort and freedom of leggings with the classic appearance and texture of twill trousers. Thus, they’re perfect for those days when you need to be comfortable, stylish, and professional at work. In most cases, people would have to take a close look to realize that they’re actually leggings.
Wear a Longer Top
Wearing longer tops that cover the crotch and backside can help keep dress code policy enforcers off your back. You won’t be sacrificing any comfort, and the resulting look tends to also be quite elegant and well-suited for a wide range of work environments.
Pair Them with a Nice Coat or Jacket
A nice blazer can do a lot to offset the casual appearance of most leggings. Blazers in the right cut can also elongate your silhouette and provide the perfect counterpoint for your leggings. You can then complete the business casual ensemble with a pair of ballerina flats or heels to take your look further into whatever direction you need it to go.
Choose More Opaque Leggings
More often than not, opaque leggings are less likely to attract negative attention from your HR department. Leggings can also become sheerer when they’re stretched out, so always make sure to buy leggings in your correct size to avoid this issue.
Consider Adding Layers
Leggings can be paired with a dress, a skirt, or even a pair of shorts to make them look a little less casual. This isn’t just a great way to dress up your leggings either. Layering can be a stylish way to use your leggings for warmth at work when the weather turns colder or if you find yourself perpetually chilly at the office.
Avoid Pairing Them with Casual or Sporty Clothes
For better or worse, leggings already have a reputation for being “too casual” or even “sloppy.” This isn’t necessarily true, but pairing them with sneakers and a sporty tee can make them look less appropriate for the office in many contexts.
To make your leggings more business-appropriate, most stylists recommend pairing them with work-appropriate shoes and tops. So long as the leggings are the most casual component of your ensemble, it should be simple enough to make them a part of your daily work wardrobe.
These are just some of the ways that you can make your leggings work in a business casual context. Indeed, office fashion has certainly come a long way in terms of comfort, and we’re only going to see leggings in the workplace more and more in the coming years. With these tips in mind, you’re sure to stay on-trend.
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