5 Anti-Boring Legging Trends That Are Popping Off

In the past, leggings are a staple that I stocked in my closet but wore exclusively for a workout. That all changed over the past year. Working from home, leggings became a core part of my wardrobe as I gravitated more to comfortable items. When wearing them, I still wanted to feel pulled-together, so I challenged myself to figure out new ways to style legging outfits. These all revolved around a pair of basic black leggings but now I’m ready to add some of the new legging trends into my arsenal.

With so many cool, anti-boring leggings on the market and outfit inspiration to borrow from the fashion set, I have forever changed my stance on how (and when) to wear them. Recently chatting with stylist Anna Vitiello, she told me that reinvented leggings are one of the core wardrobe staples that you’ll frequently spot her wearing. The stirrup silhouette is one of her personal favorite styles—one you’ll also see other fashion insiders wearing on repeat. But there are a number of others I’ve seen popping up that I can’t wait to try out for myself. Ahead, see the 5 cool legging trends I have my eye on right now.

Split Hem

Split hem leggings are a style I've personally adopted into my wardrobe (see below). What I love most about them is that they can pass for sleek pants and that the open hem allows you to draw attention to whichever shoes you're wearing.

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(Image credit: @rosiehw)

Pictured: Chanel shoes

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(Image credit: @yoyokulala)

Pictured: Chanel bag

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Pictured: Stefania Vaidani jacket; Totême Cork High-Rise Jersey Leggings ($195); Gia Couture x Pernille heels; ATP Atelier Assisi Bag ($595); Krewe sunglasses

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Stirrup

Stirrup leggings are a trend that gained major traction last year and we'll continue to see more of in the months ahead. Spotted on the runway at brands like Jacquemus and Isabel Marant, they have the designer stamp of approval.

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(Image credit: @pernilleteisbaek)

Pictured: Acolé Collection jacket; Amina Muaddi heels; Louis Vuitton bag

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(Image credit: @annarvitiello)

Pictured: Nynne top; Self Portrait leggings; Amina Muaddi heels; Dior bag

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(Image credit: @estellechemouny)

Pictured: Gui Friday hat; Chanel bag

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(Image credit: @styleheroine)

Pictured: Saint Laurent leggings; Alexander Vauthier heels

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Printed

Another popular trend plucked from the runways? Printed leggings. With brands like Chanel and Miu Miu on board, it's no surprise that it's a favorite style among the fashion set.

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(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

Pictured: Amina Muaddi heels

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(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

Pictured: Chanel leggings and heels

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(Image credit: @chloepierreldn)

Pictured: Fabletics top and leggings

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Latex

Seen on the F/W 20 runway at Saint Laurent, the brand put latex leggings back on the map. A favorite among celebs like Lily Collings, Victoria Beckham, and Hailey Bieber, this is definitely the cool-girl way to wear leggings.

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(Image credit: @lilyjcollins)

Pictured: Saint Laurent Latex Leggings ($890) and Anja Pumps ($645); Walters Faith Saxon Earrings ($1850)

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(Image credit: @victoriabeckham)

Pictured: Victoria Beckham Trousers ($1215)

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Ribbed

Ribbed leggings are another style I expect to see much more of in 2021. Though we're already seen them rise in popularity, I've also spotted them in upcoming collections that will be dropped later this year.

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(Image credit: @mayastepper)

Pictured: Jacquemus cardigan

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(Image credit: @discodaydream)

Pictured: Are You Am I top and pants

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(Image credit: @annarvitiello)

Pictured: Jacquemus leggings; Judith Leiber belt; Jimmy Choo boots

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Next, shop 25 cool fashion finds I’m obsessing over right now.

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.