Yes, You Can Wear Leggings as Pants—Here’s How

By: Goodluckwears

Leggings have long been designated for running on treadmills or lounging around. In fact, the stretchy bottom is considered so off-duty that it has frequently landed people in hot water when spotted outside a relaxed setting—particularly when worn as pants. Leggings have been controversially banned from some schools, and just last month, two young women were denied entry on a United Airlines flight because their spandex didn’t fit the carrier’s dress code for “buddy passes” awarded to family and friends of employees. But compared to those less-than-favorable cameos in the news, leggings are having a rather chic moment on the runway.

For Spring 2017, Max Mara went with all-over botanical print athleisure, pairing a track jacket with some eye-catching leaf leggings, while Stella McCartney showed a more out-on-the-town look with a red lace dress. For a cool compromise between gym and cocktail hour, look no further than Giambattista Valli’s Fall 2017 collection, which chose black Nike spandex to go with a frilled blouse. Yoga lovers can rework their flared versions for every day, too: At Paco Rabanne, for Spring 2017, the low-slung sun salutation–favorite received a moody rocker–meets–Bella Hadid makeover, thanks to a cropped sleeveless hoodie.

If you’re looking to take the fashion legging outside of the gym—or dare to board a plane in it—Vogue Associate Market Editor Alexandra Gurvitch suggests that you keep the proportions in mind. “Shows like Balenciaga and Stella McCartney gave me full permission to wear leggings to places other than to the gym,” she explains. “I am obsessed with the slim silhouette and tend to wear a fuller top to counterbalance them.” Here, the best legging looks to take safely and chicly onto the street and all places beyond.