Possibly the only good thing to come out of the inane 2016 social media flashback phase (is it over yet? It must be) is the news that leggings are back. I know, I know, they never went anywhere. They’re a part of everyday life, so ubiquitous they spawned a whole new clothing category: athleisure.
But this gym and loungewear staple has been picked up by the style set and is currently feeling very ‘fashion’. A convincing school of thought puts this down to The Row’s Resort 2026 show, in which leggings that actually looked more like tights were styled with knits, shirts and belted jackets (more on which below).
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Celine’s spring/summer 2026 show also made the case for haute leggings. These were paired with oversized blazers and only a very vague recollection of the skinny jeans in former creative director Hedi Slimane’s SS23 collection for the house.
As throwback trends go, this one is far more comfortable. It might actually put a stop to the long-threatened skinny jeans revival too. Are they back or aren’t they back? Who cares, we’re wearing leggings.
It’s alarm bell territory if you dressed through the era of indie sleaze, when Topshop coated leggings and American Apparel disco pants were high on the fashion agenda. But the 2026 iteration is all about styling with intention, elevating the humble legging with some simple tricks. As for which leggings to go for, consider those a detail that differentiates them from workout gear — an ankle slit, ribbed texture, or even a stirrup.
Opt for oversized
A good way to lean into the leggings trend is to play with proportions and create contrast. You know you’ve got form-fitting bottoms, so go for a baggier top — an oversized knit works perfectly, as evidenced by Reformation’s perfect granite-hued V-neck slung over ankle-slit leggings. A statement bag and kitten heel slingback elevate the look and reaffirm that all-important element of intention.
Reformation cashmere jumper, £298, thereformation.com
Raise the game with a heel
A foolproof way to make leggings look like a conscious choice is to add a heel. It doesn’t need to be high and could also be a heeled boot. Think Simone Ashley stepping out in New York in Chloé (though they certainly don’t have to be capri leggings, a whole different ball game).
M&S patent kitten heels, £46, marksandspencer.com
Try with a waisted jacket
Another move exemplified by Simone Ashley above. It might be a blazer with an hourglass silhouette or a trench, or you could add a belt to any old jacket to achieve the same effect.
Malina blazer, £350, bymalina.com
Add drama with faux fur
This one is straight out of The Row playbook. Its Resort ’26 show made the case for pairing the sumptuous comfort of chocolate brown faux fur with the ease of leggings. As mentioned, some of these looked more like tights, and models took to the runway sans shoes. Add your best boots to avoid the ‘running out to get something from the car’ look.
The Frankie Shop coat, £485, net-a-porter.com
Hide under a longline coat
If in doubt, throw on your best longline coat, which will conceal much of the outfit and bring a sense of stylish order. Arket has achieved this while boldly paired its ribbed leggings with a matching quarter-zip, a look that has caught on judging by the fact that they’re sold out in all but a size small.
Arket wool-blend coat, £269, arket.com
The best leggings to buy now
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Reformation stirrup leggings, £148, thereformation.com
Cos merino wool leggings, £75, cos.com
