I'm a Mom Who Lives in Leggings—These Are the 4 Styles I Wear the Most

I distinctly remember when leggings started to pop up everywhere. I was dying to wear a pair of my own but felt self-conscious bringing attention to my muscular calves. While out shopping, I would longingly watch when I happened to spot someone wearing classic black leggings usually with an oversized sweater and newly trending ballet flats. This was a rare sighting at the time, so I'd always point out the look to my then-boyfriend or to my best friend. Fast forward to today and you wouldn't be able to keep count of the number of people in leggings you spot in a day. Much to my surprise, I, too, now live in the ubiquitous pant style.
Maternity leggings were my official breakthrough. It wasn't until I was pregnant with my first child that my self-consciousness over my legs eased and I slipped on a pair of comfortable, high-waisted leggings. That was over 4 years ago, but after I had another baby, I have never looked back. I can't help it—the pant style is not at all restricting when dealing with two little ones, plus it makes dressing super easy due to their versatility.
The styles I wear the most can be broken down into four categories: for lounging, for elevated affairs, for everyday, and for working out. Each group has varying characteristics from fabric options to the fit, the colors, and ankle styles. Ahead, see both how to style each category and where to shop my top picks for each.
1. For Lounging
There is nothing like a comfy legging with stretch for lounging around the house. A basic pair is super easy to pair with everything from your favorite T-shirt to your favorite knit or hoodie.
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2. For Elevated Affairs
Tanice Elizabeth gave her ankle-slit leggings the fashion-girl treatment with the help of a statement blazer, sleek black bag, and strappy sandals. The blazer options are endless making this a super easy look to pull off for a night out with your friends or significant other.
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3. For Everyday
Alexis Foreman is a master at effortless everyday looks, and this one is no exception. The British influencer pairs her simple black leggings with a cozy neutral sweater, and chunky black tall boots. Every piece comes together to create a look that's great for running errands or meeting a friend for coffee.
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4. For Working Out
When it comes to working out, I prefer a minimalist look. Enter Tylynn Nguyen with this easy yet chic ensemble. She completes the black leggings look with scrunch socks and sneakers, but that's a trend that's great for another story.
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Next: I Went Through Nordstrom's New Sale Items—These Under-$100 Pieces Are Fantastic

Jennifer Camp Forbes is a senior shopping editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities including creative director and various editor roles. She’s a well-known shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups. Jennifer's lifelong interest in fashion led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion.
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