Fashion trends come and go, but leggings are forever. I, for one, have never even entertained the argument that they “aren’t pants.” If they’re opaque and cover your legs, what else would they be? Even if you disagree on that particular point, however, there’s no denying the fact that they’re easy—not just to throw on when the thought of buttoning up a pair of jeans feels like a chore, but also to build a stylish outfit around.
2026 may be the year of nostalgia—what with all of us looking back at our OOTDs from 2016 and all—but when it comes to wearing leggings, we want our stretchy-fabric-covered legs planted firmly in the present. There are a few updated ways to wear these somewhat controversial bottoms in order to make them feel chic and of-the-moment. And there are a couple that feel a little too much like a throwback. Grab your black lululemon Aligns, folks, because I’m taking you through all of them below.
