Leggings outfits that can go to work

Leggings outfits that can go to work

Below are three outfits that can give you some ideas, inspiration and additional tips on how to wear leggings to work in a way that is appropriate and professional.

With a cardigan

I quite like using a long cardigan with leggings for work.  Cardigans are great staples for the office and wearing one polishes a look without it looking too buttoned up or suited.  However, like all the different types of leggings out there there are many different types of cardigans to choose from, as well.  Instead of a drapey, weekend cardigan, I like the idea of a more structured cardigan with leggings.

I think a drapier cardigan with leggings can be okay if the work environment has a more lax dress code or if accessories are added to the outfit that adds some professional finish.  However, for more structure, a cardigan, like this duster from Boden, looks more work appropriate when worn with these signature leggings from J. Crew.  In this outfit the cardigan should stay on, particularly when you are away from you desk, interacting with colleagues, etc.  If you must remove your cardigan then be sure to have a longer top on, like this one from French Connection, that will cover you up even when not wearing the topper piece.  For a finish, I added these grey earrings, that work with the neck detail of the top, from Max & Chloe, a silver studded bangle and a bold pair of Zebra print flats.  What I like most about this look is the long over lean silhouette.

With a Tunic

Have you noticed how shorts skirts and dresses are for fall?  Between mod style being back and a hopeful upswing in the economy (did you know that , historically, skirt lengths have shortened when the economy has been good?), hems have been so short that they’re practically indecent.  For casual, we can all be a bit more laid back about the length of our skirts and dresses, but for work it’s smart to be a bit more cautious.  In cases where even opaque tights won’t offer enough coverage or modesty with a dress at the office, pairing it with a pair of leggings is a great alternative.

When pairing leggings with dresses there are a few things to keep in mind.  First, usually the leggings look good with shift dresses, shirt dresses or tunic dresses.   In these cases these styles look almost like long shirts as opposed to actual dresses.  If you have a dress in question, try it out with a pair of leggings to see if it looks like a cohesive outfit.  If it doesn’t and, instead, the leggings look out of place, this solution won’t work.

Using this tunic dress from Laundry by Shelli Segal you can get the idea of they types of dresses that will work.  Here I am using a Boden pair of leggings and, to make the outfit streamlined, I added a pair of black riding boots from Chinese Laundry.  Lastly, the outfit is finished with a pair of red earrings from Lauren Ralph Lauren.

Ponte leggings with a blazer

Okay, if you want to show more of your butt in a pair of leggings there is an alternative to the thin, stretchy cotton pairs that most people wear.  Look for a pair of ponte knit leggings that look like a hybrid between a pair of leggings and a pair of trousers.  Ponte knit is one of the most forgiving fabrics on the planet.  It hugs the body beautifully without exposing every lump and bump due to the beefiness of the fabric weave.  Ponte knit is quickly becoming one of my favorite fall fabrics because it offers the structure of a woven fabric and the ease of a knit.  You can find ponte in all silhouettes from dresses to pants and jackets.

In this outfit I am using a pair of ponte knit pants from DKNY to show how you can get the comfort of a pair of leggings in a way that is much more professional.  While I don’t recommend wearing a crop top or tucking a shirt into a pair of tailored ponte knit pants, you can wear them with a fitted blazer, like I am showing here with this J. Crew style.  The entire butt isn’t exposed, but more is revealed than in the two previous looks.  Also, when buying ponte knit pants for work, don’t go for a skin tight pair, choose ones that graze your body but leaves something to the imagination.  To finish this relaxed tailored look, I layered a gold wool blend cowl neck long sleeve t-shirt under the jacket, used a pair of grey ballerina flats and added an Anthropologie bib necklace and gold Stella & Dot drop earrings.

Don’t be the bad apple who spoils the bunch

It can be hard for corporations to manage the way all their employees dress (trust me, I’ve been hired by many to help with this).  While I  do think companies can be a bit more helpful in offering dress code direction, much of the dressing mistakes made by employees are usually common sense errors.   And all it usually takes is one bad apple to spoil the bunch.  Don’t be that apple.  If you can wear leggings to work, wear them professionally so that the privilege isn’t taken away from everyone.  When employees start abusing dress code rules, instead of offering instruction, it is easier for a company to just take the option away.