How to Wear Leggings in the Warm Weather

If you are not keen on baring your legs as the temperatures rise, leggings are one option. The question becomes how do you do it without feeling hot or looking like you're dressed for the middle of winter. Here are some ideas and explanations about why they work and how to style them. (Click on the picture to be taken directly to the store to get more details on an item.)

Light Colored Leggings

6 Items

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target.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 4, 2016

    A legging that is made from denim can give you more coverage.

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macys.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 4, 2016

    Ponte knit is generally a heavier fabric so it should give you more coverage, but you will need to try them on to see if it's really true.

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lordandtaylor.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 4, 2016

    What a beautiful color and it will work well paired with black, white or a print on top. Very versatile. Although leggings are not pants -- I know they are trying to show you the look of the legging, but do not wear a top this short with leggings.

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macys.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 4, 2016

    This looks somewhat sheer although they say they are opaque. The color is pretty and when worn with a tunic that comes down a few inches above the knee would be lovely.

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macys.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 4, 2016

    And this design comes in other colors.

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shop.nordstrom.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 4, 2016

    These are like a pant-legging. Nice option for spring/summer but with the zipper on the bottom they cannot be easily shortened -- you'll want to be sure they are a good length as-is.

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Cotton Leggings

5 Items

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dressbarn.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    If you like leggings with a little extra tummy control, these are perfect.

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jjill.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Cotton and also a pretty navy blue.

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softsurroundings.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 4, 2016

    I have these in 2 colors and like them. They run a tad big so generally good to size down (or get two sizes and see which works best).

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softsurroundings.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 4, 2016

    Fun detail at the ankle. Add some pizzazz without drawing all the attention down to your feet.

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kohls.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    You can't beat the price and they come in a variety of colors.

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Patterned Leggings

9 Items

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clarasunwoo.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    This is the one that Jane is wearing. Fun without being overpowering.

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clarasunwoo.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Could be fun with a navy or white top.

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belk.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Fun, watery print -- I'd like to see them worn a bit longer to elongate her/your legs.

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yoox.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    These are called 'happiness' leggings so you meant to have fun with them. I don't particularly like them paired with black. A color or maybe even white would be better since the print is so soft.

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zulily.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    These are perfect for someone who wants to wear black on top but doesn't want to feel overly dark.

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macys.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Fun!

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macys.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    These feel happy!

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softsurroundings.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    These don't really have a pattern, just some fun details at the hem -- sometimes that feels like enough :-)

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shop.nordstrom.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    These are so pretty! I'd consider wearing a top that is a bit longer if you want less of the print showing.

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Capri Leggings

3 Items

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macys.com »
macys.com »
kohls.com »

Alternatives to Leggings

7 Items

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1ereavenue.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    These mix a print with a very slim pant. They actually should be to the ankle or slightly below to be most flattering (and probably will be on someone who isn't as tall as a model).

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1ereavenue.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    These are a great length if you don't mind showing skin on your lower legs.

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clarasunwoo.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Fun printed slim pants. Would look great with a white or navy top -- even a soft blue.

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clarasunwoo.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Very comfortable slim pants.

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whitehouseblackmarket.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    This color tends to be flattering on a lot of people. And, given that it is a slim pant as opposed to a legging your top doesn't have to be as long as with a legging.

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macys.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Also a beautiful navy sleek capri. Again, you don't have wear as long a top with these as with leggings.

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shop.nordstrom.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    A nice skinny white pant option (as long as it is fairly opaque.

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Cotton, Capri & Light Colored

2 Items

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zappos.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    These look like a great viable warm weather option.

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zappos.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    As do these...

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Tops to Wear with Leggings

12 Items

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peruvianconnection.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Something funky -- she's wearing them with matching leggings -- which you can do. Or you could wear them with a beige or brown legging. I wouldn't recommend white. The starkness of the white against the warmth of the copper tone will draw all the focus to your legs.

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sundancecatalog.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Fun, bohemian top that will work great over leggings. (I'd skip this scarf -- it competes with the details of the top.)

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lanebryant.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    A fun tunic although a challenging color to wear. Redheads and women with warm dark skin will look great in this paired with black or dark brown (or other options) colored leggings.

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softsurroundings.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Why not bare your shoulders -- fun top.

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softsurroundings.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Great to with enough length to feel covered and a great flattering diagonal lines in the top. Plus, it looks very comfortable. You could wear it with navy or black leggings (or maybe white leggings (although it might not be long enough)) or white very slim pants as well as jeans. A very versatile top!

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anthropologie.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    This looks so cool and summery when the temperatures soar and it's long enough to give you a little extra coverage over leggings.

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anthropologie.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Pretty tunic dress -- over black, white, blue or navy leggings!!

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anthropologie.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Pretty tunic dress -- wear with black leggings or even the stone colored ones above.

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anthropologie.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    A simple, casual top that can be worn with jeans (as she is showing) or with leggings -- most likely darker ones since the top is a bit shorter.

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macys.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    This would be adorable with black capri leggings.

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macys.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Fun with black leggings.

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macys.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Perfect top for leggings -- black, white or a print depending on which color you choose.

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Leggings to Avoid

5 Items

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modcloth.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Unless you are 6 years old, skip these!

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modcloth.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Scary!!!!

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shop.nordstrom.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Too short and wide at the ankle -- will make your legs look super short.

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shop.nordstrom.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    Maybe if you're planing a team sport??

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shop.nordstrom.com »
  • Ginger on Apr 6, 2016

    These look very sheer. Maybe they aren't in real life, but if we can see the seam, I'm guessing they will show every lump and bump and even a few that aren't there!

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