If a Fashion Person Wears Leggings in 2025, It'll Be With These Shoe Trends
Every January, I find myself reaching for my leggings more than usual. Whether it's because I'm eager to pursue my New Year’s resolutions, which include staying active, or I enjoy the comfort and warmth they provide during the chilly month, leggings become my go-to choice. However, I always face the same question: What shoes pair best with leggings?
To address this dilemma, I researched the top footwear trends that elevate leggings. The best part? It didn't take long to discover some popular styles. Fashion icons like Jennifer Lopez and Nicky Hilton have recently embraced this wardrobe essential and set the standard for styling it.
If you're looking for fresh inspiration, keep reading. I’ve uncovered the top four shoe trends people will wear with their leggings in 2025.
Riding Boots
Pair your leggings with riding boots to elevate their look. This equestrian-inspired style exudes a timeless elegance that's hard to beat. While many fashion people opt for black leggings teamed with black riding boots, don't shy away from exploring bolder choices. Deep burgundy or rich brown leather boots can add that extra touch of luxury to your ensemble.
Shop the shoe trend:
Combat Boots
Whether you like it or not, combat boots, many of which have thick lug soles, have returned to celebrities' legging outfits. And we have to say, they look incredibly chic. Just look at Nicky Hilton—she turned heads this week in a cozy long teddy coat, sleek black leggings, a stylish striped sweater, and J.Crew's lace-up ankle boots. Talk about a winning winter look.
Shop the shoe trend:
Snow Boots
Channel your inner J.Lo this winter by rocking black leggings, a Fair Isle sweater, a stylish puffer jacket, and statement-making fur boots. If fur boots aren't your style, you can easily swap in any ankle snow boots.
Shop the shoe trend:
Retro-Inspired Sneakers
This season, fashion's street-style icons are more than ever incorporating retro-inspired kicks into their leggings outfits. These shoes combine style and practicality, making them suitable for various activities, from school drop-offs to workouts.
Shop the shoe trend:
Shop some of our favorite leggings
Nikki Chwatt is an associate fashion editor based in New York City. She joined Who What Wear in 2024 after writing fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content for WWD, Well+Good, Editorialist, and more. With a passion for personal style and the creativity that comes with it, one of Chwatt's goals is to help others understand that there is no such thing as a “good” or “bad” style; it’s just about putting an outfit together that makes you feel confident in yourself. When she's not writing, you can find her taking a Pilates class, reading a powerful romance novel, or exploring a new wellness spot in Manhattan.
-
Dear, Everyone Who Hates Jorts—This Pretty Shorts Trend Is About to Take Over Summer 2025
How to style it like an NYC-based fashion editor.
-
See You in the Fall, Skinny Jeans—This Trend Is So Much Better For Summer With Flats
Casual, chic, and comfortable all in one.
-
The Expensive-Looking Sandal Color Every Fashion Person Is Wearing With Shorts and Dresses (Hint: It's Not Navy)
It's not brown either.
-
Lazy Luxury Is the New Quiet Luxury (Which Is Now Dead, BTW)
Here's how to do it right.
-
The Classic Swimwear Trend L.A. Fashion People Are Swapping Their Bandeau Bikinis For
No fuss.
-
This Casual Red Carpet Jewelry Trend Is Seconds Away From Being Everywhere
Maximalism is so back.
-
I'm a New Shopping Editor in NYC—These 31 Gorgeous Summer Nordstrom Finds Have My Attention
PS: Everything's under $150.
-
Red Who? Sorry, But Cool Fashion People Are Only Interested in Wearing Jeans With *This* Sneaker Color
It's the new red (and yellow, green, and silver).