The $0 Trick That Makes Legging Outfits Better

Truth be told, I'm not very adventurous with legging outfits. You won't soon find me in a Bella Hadid–esque matching set in keeping with the latest activewear trend. When I'm going to work out, I wear neutral-colored high-waisted leggings, a sports bra, tank, sneakers, and some sort of jacket (if the weather calls for it). But in my daily perusal of celebrity outfits, I've noticed time and time again that celebs are also fans of the simple $0 trick that I use to make my legging outfits cooler and more flattering: a knotted tank or tee. It's a trick my fellow editor Michelle Scanga told me she also does when wearing leggings; the models and influencers on a recent Revolve trip she took were doing as well. Not only that, it was a styling trick that I spotted on repeat on my recent trip to the first-ever Activewear Fashion Week in Miami. So the point is, it's definitely a thing.

The trick, which I may or may not have initially picked up from fellow SoulCycle riders in L.A., works for people like me who aren't ones to wear just a sports bra or crop top with leggings, no matter how high-waisted they are. But I couldn't help but notice that when I wore a loose top with my leggings, I just looked sloppy. So I started tightly knotting my knit tanks and tees at either the front, side hip bone, or back, and it makes me still feel like I'm covered up, but much more stylishly so. 

Below, see celebs like Dakota Johnson and Emma Roberts sporting knotted tanks, and shop tanks (that are just begging to be knotted), leggings, and sneakers to mix and match.

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(Image credit: Backgrid)

On Dakota Johnson: Linda Farrow sunglasses; NSF Distressed Cotton T-Shirt ($130); Lululemon Align Pant II ($98); Nike Revolution 3 Sneakers ($50).

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(Image credit: Pacific Coast News )

Who: Miranda Kerr

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(Image credit: Backgrid)

On Lily Collins: Sub_Urban Riot Going Out Loose Tee in White ($44); Cotton On Body leggings.

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(Image credit: Backgrid)

On Alessandra Ambrosio: VS Sport leggings; Nike Air Max 90 Sneakers ($120).

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(Image credit: Backgrid)

Who: Sofia Richie

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(Image credit: Backgrid)

On Emma Roberts: Fabletics sports bra and leggings; New Balance sneakers. 

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(Image credit: Getty Images )

On Hilary Duff: Free People beanie; Nike leggings and Juvenate Sneakers ($85).

TANKS

Go with a loose knit tank and tie it tight at the waist or a little higher if you're seeking more of a cropped look.

LEGGINGS

Sleek high-waisted leggings look best with this styling trick. Aside from that, any print, shade, or length goes. 

Related: These Are the New It Shoes to Wear With Leggings

SNEAKERS

You can't go wrong with a pair of cool athletic sneakers. 

Next, find out which shoes we never wear with cropped leggings

Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.