22 Winter Leggings Outfits to Wear When It's Freezing

For when you can't handle both the cold *and* real pants.

Three women wear winter leggings outfits with sneakers, boots, and high heels.
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If you offered me a million dollars to go an entire winter without wearing a leggings outfit, I would step into spring as, well, not a millionaire, probably in a pair of leggings. When temps drop, there's nothing I want to wear more than leggings. They're perfect for layering, look great with winter coats, boots, and shoes, and slip seamlessly into all my go-to winter looks.

Leggings are a year-round wardrobe staple, but they're especially great for colder weather, when bulky separates like cable-knit sweaters and puffer coats come into play. Plus, thanks to their close fit and sleek silhouette, leggings work wonderfully with this fall's hottest trends like boxy blazers and fuzzy sweaters. That said, winter leggings outfits can veer into the realm of "just rolled out of bed," depending on how you style them. That's where having a few winter leggings outfit ideas in your back pocket comes into play.

How Do You Wear Leggings in the Winter?

When putting together a winter leggings outfit, it helps to have a vibe in mind. That doesn't mean you need a full mood board, but knowing if you're going for an elevated or casual look is a great place to start. If you want a more sophisticated feel, look for longer coats or jackets and plan on adding at least one luxurious accessory, like a statement bag or tasteful leather gloves. A pair of pumps or over-the-knee boots can also elevate your leggings look.

If you prefer a more casual vibe, you have even more options. For a laid-back winter leggings outfit, start with shoes and work your way up. Combat boots or sneakers worn with crew socks make a great base to build a look on with sporty or oversized separates.

Ahead, you'll find 22 winter leggings outfit ideas, from quietly luxurious to comfy and casual — because November through February is dark enough without adding real pants to the wintry mix.

01 of 22

Try a Trench

Gina Walser wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring a trench coat.

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A trench coat or duster is a surefire way to bring a bit of sophistication to a casual leggings look. Worn over a sweatshirt, a trench coat looks effortless. When paired with more elevated tops like cashmere or cable-knit sweaters, it delivers a put-together vibe.

02 of 22

Add Wool Layers

Gabriella Berdugo wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring a wool fringe jacket.

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You don't need to disappear into a giant coat come wintertime. Instead, try layering on warm separates like wool sweaters, cardigans, and jackets. When worn with leggings, these pieces can exude a sense of polish, especially if you add a classic quilted purse and luxurious loafers.

03 of 22

Pick Cozy Colors

Fatou N'Diaye wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring a teddy bear coat and brown leggings.

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Black leggings are a go-to, but sometimes it's fun to swap out your signature leggings shade for something cozier. Try wearing warm-toned leggings with a faux fur teddy bear coat and animal-print accessories for a look that's as snuggly as it is street-style ready.

04 of 22

Bust Out a Bomber Jacket

A woman wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring a bomber jacket.

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Mix up your winter aesthetic with a classic bomber jacket and ankle boots. This edgy winter leggings outfit is all about contrast, so don't be afraid to mix prints with a graphic sweater or add colorful accessories like a patterned crossbody bag.

05 of 22

Add a Statement Scarf

Marie Hindkaer wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring a pink scarf.

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To add a bit of whimsy to your standard leggings look, play with volume up top by adding a bulky scarf. Not only will it keep you warm and spice up your leggings outfit silhouette, but it's a great way to inject color into your ensemble.

06 of 22

Wear a Simple Dress

RaJaa Blake wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring a white sheath dress.

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For an unexpected and streamlined leggings look, try adding a simple sheath dress in a lightweight knit or jersey over your leggings. If you stick to a color-matched and neutral palette, you'll have a seamlessly cohesive 'fit you can dress up with heels or keep casual with sneakers.

07 of 22

Try Tough Textures

Alexandra Pereira wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring leather leggings.

Everyone has a preference when it comes to leggings materials. Whether you love cotton, spandex, or seamless fabric blends, it's always a good idea to step outside of your fashion comfort zone by incorporating a distinctly different texture to the look. If your go-to leggings material is matte, mix things up by wearing faux-leather leggings and adding a matching patent leather purse and combat boots.

08 of 22

Pull On a Puffer

A woman wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring an orange puffer coat.

Styling a puffer coat can feel tricky except when it comes to leggings, which always pair well with this style of outerwear. Match your shoes to your bottoms for a sleek aesthetic or pop on a pair of boots or sneakers that color-coordinate with your puffer for a more fashion-forward feel.

09 of 22

Add Long Layers

Sonia Lyson wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring long layered coats.

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For those extra chilly days or nights, you'll want to keep your legs protected from the elements. Sure, you could double up on leggings, but why not double up on tops instead? Long cardigans or sweaters worn with a duster or trench coat are a great way to stay toasty without sacrificing style.

10 of 22

Highlight High Heels

Ellie Delphine wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring a statement coat.

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Boots and sneakers go well with leggings, but the same can be said for a pair of classic pumps. If you're looking to create an elevated leggings look, adding heels that share a color palette with your outerwear is a great place to start.

11 of 22

Wear with Warm Boots

Gabriella Berdugo wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring pink snow boots.

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The bulky shape of snow or rain boots looks great when worn with leggings. Opt for bottoms in a complementary shade or let your boots be the star of your outfit by keeping the rest of your look neutral.

12 of 22

Wear All Black

 Carina Zavline wears an all-black winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring

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One easy way to elevate a basic pair of leggings is to opt for a perennially chic all-black ensemble. To add even more sophistication, add accessories and jewelry that share a metallic tone, whether gold, silver, or bronze.

13 of 22

Grab a Cropped Winter Coat

Alexandra Lapp wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring a cropped winter coat.

Play with contrasting lines by wearing a blazer or sweater under a cropped winter coat. Since you're creating depth with the top half of this winter leggings outfit, keeping things sleek and close fitting on the bottom will keep the look balanced.

14 of 22

Pick a Playful Print

Emilie Joseph wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring gold leggings.

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If you love to stand out from the crowd, let your leggings be the star of your winter outfit by picking a pair in a playful print. To keep this look cohesive, try and match the finish of your leggings to your outerwear. For example, a pair of shiny, metallic leggings look lovely with a high-shine puffer coat.

15 of 22

Keep It Casual

Emy Venturini wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring a hoodie.

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In a perfect world, a hoodie and leggings would be considered a business casual outfit that you could wear to work every day. This world isn't perfect, but you can still wear this go-to winter leggings look on days when comfort is key (so that's something!).

16 of 22

Oversized Everything

Eva Lutz wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring an oversized coat.

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The oversized trend is here to stay, and roomy outerwear works especially great with leggings and combat boots. Whether you opt for a big, boxy blazer, oversized jacket, or bulky coat, the look will feel balanced thanks to your more form-fitting bottoms.

17 of 22

Stick to Stripes

Jennifer Amanda wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring a red striped shirt.

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One way to mix up your standard winter color palette is to add a top with a print or pattern, then choose accessories to match. If you're a fan of minimalism, you can't go wrong with a simple, subtle stripe in red or blue.

18 of 22

Add Over-the-Knee Boots

Ellie Delphine wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring brown over-the-knee boots.

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Thigh-high boots can be hard to get on and off, but the task is made infinitely easier when you're wearing leggings. Because over-the-knee boots double as statement shoes and an extra layer of warmth, you don't have to wear a long coat to stay warm. In fact, it's a good idea to consider shorter jackets or coats so you can show off your boots.

19 of 22

Slip on a Sporty Vest

Enna wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring a puffer vest.

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If you're looking for a casual winter leggings outfit you can run errands in without breaking a sweat, wearing a puffer vest over a hoodie is a great choice. Go for a high-low vibe by adding a fancier purse and sleek boots, or lean into an athletic feel with sneakers and a tote.

20 of 22

Add Luxe Accessories

Julia Comil wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring leather gloves

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One should never underestimate the power of elevated accessories. A pair of great leather gloves, designer boots, and a timeless statement bag can make even your oldest pair of gym leggings look runway-worthy.

21 of 22

Style with a Shacket

Sophia Thorer wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring a shacket.

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Come winter, you can swap out jeans for leggings in almost any look that features an oversized flannel or shacket. To elevate this kind of winter leggings outfit, aim to keep your accessories cohesive and your color palette neutral.

22 of 22

Go for a Glamorous Silhouette

Carrole Sagba wears a winter leggings outfit idea for 2023 featuring a long white coat.

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When in doubt, go for glamour. If you're in a hurry, pull on leggings, a simple T-shirt, and a gorgeous pea coat or robe-style coat like this one designed with recycled faux fur by My Mum Made It. Adding a pair of matching heels completes the look.

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