Leggings are one of the most comfortable and versatile wardrobe staples. Whether you are tossing them on for gym sessions, a quick grocery run, or date night, these stretchy bottoms work for several occasions, and as such, you need to pick the right shoes to avoid detracting from the overall look. After all, choosing what shoes to wear with leggings is key to finding your style and will elevate your legging outfit to the next level without swapping them for skinny jeans or something more restricting.

Our Vessi Shoes redefine styles and practicality, just like leggings blend style with comfort. Our shoes are waterproof and super comfy, making them an absolute match with leggings. The sleek and modern designs effortlessly complement the legging’s streamlined silhouette, giving you a versatile and super-fashionable combo. From classic sneakers to trendy waterproof boots, there is a pair at Vessi for a laid-back vibe of the leggings outfit.

Let’s dive into our selection of the best shoes to wear with leggings for casual, athleisure, and smart casual ensembles.

What Shoes to Wear with Leggings?

1. Slip-on sneakers

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If you prefer the sneaker-leggings combination, but you do not want to look too sporty or you simply do not like laces, have slip-on sneakers on your radar. Slip-on sneakers worn with leggings although has some sporty feel to it, will offer a more streamlined look, which will exude less formality and rigidity that is perfect for weekend or travel.

2. Ballet flats

Easy, airy and comfortable ballet flats are the equivalent of leggings in the shoe kingdom, this means it is okay to mix and match them too. Ballet flats are timeless and make leggings attire more formal. The design is very fitting for casual wear: due to their simplicity and rather slim cut they can be easily paired with leggings. It is easy to wear for it is comfortable and one can walk errands in it without feeling tired.

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Use this combination for a casual yet chic look. Also, your ballerina flats should have a more trendy shape to produce an impressive appearance. Ballet flats are also an easy, ready-to-go option you can wear in almost all seasons and can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.

3. Mules

Mules are another fun shoe to wear with leggings. They are fashionable and do not require much to be put on. The open-back style is the direct opposite with a fashion approach based on the contrast between leggings and shoes and a stretched-out leg line. Closed toed or open toed, these slip on shoes allow for freedom of movement yet classy and will easily complement any leggings look for comfort.

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You can try a flat or low heal shoes such as mules especially in any nude, white or black color to balance leggings for both date and working environment.

4. Heels

Although it may sound a little risky to pair leggings with high heels, this outfit combo is super chic and fabulous for anyone who wants to style up their leggings. No matter it is a traditional court shoes or sequin heels, the length of the leggings also shows off your preferred pair of high heels well. Heels also cover more area of your legs, thus make you look taller and slimmer.

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However, it is crucial to identify the right heel type of heels that you should wear to avoid looking uncomfortable or overdressed. The strategy to this look is to do the style of your high heels simple.

To achieve a chic look, one should wear kitten heels or block-heels when wearing ankle-length leggings. Stilettos appear fashionable and slim my figure but are painful to walk in and can damage my heels, whereas low or block heels provide stability and comfort and give me a little extra height. However nothing compares to stiletto heels or high-waist leggings if you are going for a formal event or a racy look. They make your outfit fashionable and classy. You can also include a leather jacket for better ambiance and outlook.

Also, avoid anything too complicated, especially not heels with straps that reach the ankles, as they will look too busy to pair with leggings that hug the legs.

5. Ankle Boots

Leggings and ankle boots together form a beauty that is purely innocent. Ankle boots are elegant, timeless and eternally fashionable and regardless of the kind of footwear that you fancy, it’s nearly probable that you will find it in the ankle boots kind, whether in leather, suede or flat or stilettos.

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For a casual look, you can pair your leggings with flat ankle boots. Mid-height block-heeled, and kitten-heel ankle boots are for a dressier office chic look. But high-heeled stiletto ankle boots will take you from the office desk to dinner or a night out.

One point to bear in mind when selecting ankle boots for leggings are the length of the shoes. When it comes to low-cut ankle boots, you should know that they are the most versatile and can make your legs appear slightly longer. If you are in the market for something that is comfortable but stylish then our Vessi Chelsea Boots is what you need. These waterproof boots are chelsea styled boots and have ankle height that provides slim fit to the boots. They should be accompanied by leggings that falls about the ankle. However, one should not wear ankle boots with cropped leggings.

Also, consider the colour of the ankle boots. Try a pair of neutral-coloured ankle boots made from suede or leather for a casual chic look. But if you’re feeling more adventurous, a pair of snakeskin or animal print ankle boots will give your leggings outfit some extra oomph.

6. Sandals

The other type of shoes that do look great when worn with leggings is sandals because they are very comfortable to wear. This great combination would be ideal for preparation during May up to September. As you can imagine, flats complement leggings and help you look stylish and not too hot when wearing sandals, but here are some tips on how to make this combination work.

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While flat sandals have soft soles and come in many colours and designs, they are perhaps the most versatile type of sandal available. What about gladiator sandals and tying them over leggings? It will create a bohemian look. It is also possible to wear elegant strappy shoes with high stilettos or virtually no stilettos known as kitten heels so as to infuse some elegance on your outfits, or go for multi-strap designs for that toughness look on you. Wearing ankle-strap sandals and leggings provides some elegance and fully-feminity.

7. Loafers

Loafers are another versatile shoe style making a surprisingly stylish footwear option to wear with leggings. Thanks to their chic and polished look, you can use loafers to dress leggings up for an elevated casual appearance.

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Whether it has a chunky sole, slipper style, penny style or the more traditional loafers themselves, these are smart but comfortable shoes that when worn with leggings, will give a casual but smart appearance. It appears to be best to keep it plain and just add a little something such as a tassel or a buckle.

8. Converse shoes

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Sneakers also go well with leggings, even the non-fashion Converse sneakers. Converse shoes are best known for the high collars. High-collar Converse shoes are also good with leggings because of their boot like design. They come together to produce a cutting-edge, eye-catching appearance. They are also suitable to mute that shiny or ornamented leggings that people prefer to wear today.

9. Chunky boots

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Indeed, chunky boots are likely to be among the easiest shoes to style with leggings. Even though these leggings can be deemed skinny, the display of chunkiness in these boots can also be highlighted. Whether you decide to go for a more flat Chelsea boots or a lug soled platform combat boots, both will give a modern edge to any legging ensemble.

10. Lace-up sneakers

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Lace-up sneakers and leggings are iconic partners. Both leggings and sneakers have sporty look to them which makes this combination suitable. Whether it is a run in the park or a visit to the gym, these lace up sneakers are cute and will not make your legs very warm. Although there are many ways to achieve it, it seems particularly elegant with an athletic influence. For example, wearing a set of simple shoes with laces and leggings pointing to this style.

11. Knee-high boots and thigh-high boots

Tall boots and leggings gel together well. They are not only stylish but will keep you warm in colder temperatures. The tall boots and leggings combination makes a chic and comfy outfit for all ladies. Knee-high and over-the-knee boots also make your legs appear longer and leaner.

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Furthermore, because the leggings have a super slim fit, it becomes easy to wear your tall boots since your legs slide into them very easily. In casual wear, it is okay to put on flat tall boots for a comfortable look or put on stiletto heels for a touch of glamour. However, perhaps to keep your style more conservative, you could stick with a monochrome colour scheme by matching your shoes to your leggings for added leg lengthening effect.

With height you can also play the types – leather and suede tall boots. For instance, leggings made from faux leather worn with suede high or knee boots accompanied by a sweater dress will keep one warm.

 

12. Slides

Slides and leggings compliment each other so well for the modern stylish look. This outfit brings you renewal, relaxation, and character. Slides are a summer shoe style and these are both a casual and sneaker inspired shoe making them suitable for streetwear and casual looks.

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Slides are also available in infinite numbers in order to complement with leggings looks. For example, sporty slides can be worn with plain or athletic leggings for casual wear or use a pair of platform slides in funky leggings outfit.

13. Chunky sneakers

Chunky sneakers and leggings make for a winning combination, adding style and comfort to your outfit. The combination gives a trendy athletic style while keeping your outfit light and basic. These sneakers are comfy because of the added padding, and their oversized look balances out the tight fit of the legging, giving a much more contemporary look.

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However, if you are going to rock leggings and chunky sneakers in other occasions apart from the gym you should go basic and opt for either white or black chunky sneakers to match with black leggings.

Shoes not to Wear with Leggings

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Even though style is relative, there are some shoes you should steer clear of for any leggings outfit. They include;

1. Platform heels

Wearing leggings and platform heels will make you feel like they're a little too edgy compared to the casual nature of leggings.

2. Flip-flops

Flip flops make leggings look a bit too casual, and instead of elevating the leggings outfit, they will bring it down further.

3. Espadrilles wedges

Espadrilles wedges have a rustic feel and a platform style that would look stylistically odd with any style of leggings.

4. Sock boots

While sock boots are on trend, you shouldn’t pair them with leggings unless you want your footwear to look like an extension of your leggings. It is best to go with something providing more contrast, such as trendy combat boots.

Styling Tips for Pairing Shoes with Leggings

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Here are some styling tips to help you pair shoes with leggings:

• Balance the length: AVOID wearing leggings that are too long and they should be worn with sneakers, ankle boots, gym shoes, and loafers and not get bunched. But if you have your choice of flats or sandals, opt for long or split at the hem.

• Balance the tone: When choosing the shoes to wear, if you put on printed or patterned leggings, then your shoes should be plain and the opposite should be also true.

• Consider the weather: For the lower extremities wear long socks and suits like ankle and knee high boots for warmth and elegance during winter. However, for a warm climate preferred shoes should be lightweight and airy such as flat sandals, ballet flat or loafers.

• Keep it simple:  If you choose a bright or bold patterned dress, do not over do it with leggings and shoes. Here we can opt for nude pumps, heels or mules.

• Add a pop of colour: So, if your top or dress and the leggings you’ll wear underneath it are less electric, you can make it look more electrifying by choosing shoes in bright color. It is also possible to try animal-printed or funky-printed shoes.

Final Take on Shoes to Wear with Leggings

Leggings are trendy, comfortable and work as a great style piece. Whether you want to wear your comfy leggings to gym sessions, run to the grocery store, or for a more formal function, many shoe styles can work with this versatile wardrobe piece. By choosing the right pair of shoes to pair with your leggings, you can elevate your overall style to the next level.

From sneakers to boots, to heels, to flats, let you taste, weather, and occasion guide to picking the best footwear. Moreover, most of these pieces are shoes you can wear with straight-leg jeans or maxi dresses, so you don't have to go shopping extra to get the perfect match for different wardrobe staples.