One of the things in my closet I find myself reaching for more and more for fall and winter are my faux leather leggings. They’re much more versatile than people may think. You can totally wear them almost anywhere if you style them just right too. There are so many ideas for how to wear this popular piece of clothing and today I’m going to show you how.
How To Wear Faux Leather Leggings
There are so many things you can wear with leather leggings and I’m going to share all the best ideas for fall and winter. And from casual to dressy looks too. But before we even get started, you have to decide which type of faux leather legging you want to style! I actually did a post comparing the two most popular brands and styles of faux leather leggings. The Spanx leggings and Commando leggings. You can’t go wrong with either.
In addition to basic black faux leather leggings, there’s also several different styles to choose from. From high waisted leggings, to different color faux leather, to prints like camo and snakeskin. You can mix and match these with the outfit ideas below to create your own look. But if you ask me, you should definitely get yourself a pair of faux leather black leggings that are slightly high waisted and make you feel good.
How Should Faux Leather Leggings Fit?
When choosing your faux leather leggings, you’ll want to ensure these aren’t baggy or loose. You’ll want to go for a true body-hugging fit, but one that is comfortable. They aren’t like jeans where they’ll loosen up over time either. These should keep their shape with all of the elastene in them. Choose ones with a high rise so you can comfortable wear tees and sweaters over them and not worry about your midriff. As for length, I’d stick to them hitting above your ankle bone.
Tips for Styling Faux Leather Leggings
Overall, my number one style tip for wearing faux leather leggings is to treat them like your favorite pair of black skinny jeans. You can almost get away with just about any outfit just swapping black skinny jeans with faux leather leggings. Some may feel more comfortable covering their butt more so in a legging and I’m all for that too personally.
To Work
If you’re wearing these to work it should mean that your office is pretty good with business casual and black jeans. No real corporate 9-5 will probably allow this that requires a 3 piece suit. I know my previous day job would’ve been just fine with these! When wearing faux leather leggings to work always make sure your butt is covered! A great way to do this is with a long blazer, cardigan or overcoat. And then pairing that with a longer tunic style top. This can be a long silky button down top or a slightly oversized sweater.
For Casual Outfits
Faux leather leggings are great for casual outfits since they’re a nice upgrade to cotton blend leggings that you’d just lounge in. You can really do SO much for casual outfits from just a simple tee, light jacket or layer like denim jackets, leather or cozy cardigans. For more leather leggings outfit ideas, I like to style all those sweaters for fall and winter for a simple casual look.
Dressed Up or Night Out
When it comes to dressing up faux leather leggings for date night or a night out with friends, I instantly think high heels, boots, and pretty silky pieces. And hey, maybe some sequins. Faux leather leggings are perfect for pairing with over the knee boots which is a great way to dress these leather pants up with.
For Travel Days
Whenever I head out for a flight, leggings are a great option for a comfortable yet put together outfit (my favorite). And faux leather leggings make a great option. you can easily dress them up a bit with combat boots and a leather jacket or blazer. But you can also go super comfy and cozy with an oversized sweatshirt and classic sneakers. Then when you get to your destination you have a great pair of bottoms to also dress up or down and it takes up little to no space in your suitcase.
Shoes To Wear With Faux Leather Leggings
Pairing the right shoes with your faux leather leggings is going to be key for your outfit to look right. Good news is, lots of shoes go with them from sneakers for casual looks, to knee high boots for going out or even the office. The shoes I would avoid reaching for would be any sort of summer sandal. Faux leather belongs in the fall and winter only, so we want to match the accessories to the season.
Knee High Boots
Great for the office, or going out. You can also do a flat knee high boot and an oversized sweater for a comfy and casual outfit idea.
Loafers But Not Ballet Flats
Loafers are a great option to pair with your leggings. I would say a ballet flat can feel a little too sweet for the faux leather legging and may feel off balanced. I prefer something with more structure to balance the simple leggings with.
Sneakers
You can’t go wrong with a great sneaker and faux leather leggings. They’re great to wear for travel day outfits, or just running errands. Go chunky with a dad sneaker or more fashion forward with an Adidas Gazelle or Samba, or even my favorite, Alohas.
Heels
Heels can often times work with your faux leather leggings for a date night or going out look. I like a pointed toe option here or something with edge and some structure. Stick to winter materials like suede or leather.
Faux Leather Leggings Outfit Ideas
With Sneakers And A Utility Jacket
When I think of outfit ideas for how to wear faux leather leggings, I try to think of what I usually pair with my favorite jeans. And it almost ALWAYS works. One of my favorite outfit combos is a utility jacket and sneakers. Pair with a white button down or oversized white tee and you’ve got a perfect fall casual outfit.
Faux Fur Jacket For Date Night
When it comes to date night and dressing up your leather leggings, you can’t go wrong with a bold faux fur jacket. My friend Shelby always love to add color to outfits and I just love this pop of lilac. Just add a cozy sweater underneath and you’re good to go for a night on the town.
Moto Jackets And Chelsea Boots
The perfect date night outfit, or drink with girlfriends. Moto jackets and Chelsea boots are a go to fall outfit combination for me. I would almost always create this with my favorite skinny jeans so swapping them for faux leather leggings is a great way to get more outfits out of this combo! I also like that you can pair faux leather leggings with booties and have them not bunch up at the bottom. That’s always a pain with jeans if they don’t hit just right.
A Blazer And Combat Boots
For an edgy take on a blazer and faux leather leggings, just add combat boots. This look is great for date night or for business casual on a Friday at the office. Adding a blazer is one of my favorite tricks since they can easily dress up an outfit and be that finishing third piece. Try a graphic tee underneath, a sweatshirt or even a button down.
I also love a blazer coat styled with faux leather leggings. Go oversized and layer a graphic hoodie underneath for the ultimate cool girl combo.
TIP I would update this for 2026 with a more oversized blazer and longer tee underneath.
Oversized Shirt Jackets And Quilted Jackets
Whenever I’m styling a slimmer style on the bottom, I like to go oversized on top. That’s why with faux leather leggings a big oversized shacket like this plaid one, or this quilted jacket, are great options. Pair with a combat boot or Chelsea boot.
Oversized Sweater + Overcoat
This is one of my favorite ways to style my leggings for winter. It’s just so comfy and warm. Just pair an oversized sweater and combat boots with an overcoat for a chic street style look for cold winter days. This look is great for date night, or just weekend hangouts. It’s comfortable and stylish. Also would be great with over the knee boots for added warmth!
Oversized Cardigan Outfits
Natalie Borton does west coast casual so well. I love this pairing of a cardigan and sweater layered up for a fall look. And the white mules are a perfect update to a sneaker that I always tend to gravitate towards. This look feels elevated, but laid back, all at the same time. You could even dress it up a bit with a pointed toe pump too.
A Denim Jacket
The ultimate cool girl weekend look and great for travel days, a sweatshirt and denim jacket. Elevate the look from white sneakers to a sleek mule or slide.
A Flannel Jacket
Similar to a denim shirt jacket, a flannel oversized shirt left open is the perfect pairing. Going oversized on top, and fitted on the bottom for a perfect combo.
Are Leather Leggings Still In Style?
In 2026, I think many of us are asking ourselves if leather leggings are still in style. While I haven’t reached for mine in a while, and I was someone who wore them regularly, I still think there is a place for them. For today, I would probably style them with knee high boots and oversized sweaters which I think is a look that never really goes out of style.
While leather leggings may not be the top favorite for many of us, these styling tips ALL work with the stirrup style legging that has been growing in popularity. So while the faux leather fabric may not be as trendy, all of these tips, styling ideas and outfits still feel modern and updated if you just swap the faux leather for a stirrup style legging.
And another great option instead of a leather legging, since we are reaching less for skinny jeans, try a faux leather straight leg. These are so fun to style and still apply many of the above style rules too.
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