Dress with leggings: outfit ideas

You wear a dress with leggings like this: the dress covers at least your bottom, the leggings stay slim and fairly dark, and you add ankle boots or boots and a cardigan or short jacket. Loose on top, slim below is the rule that works for almost every combination.

A dress with leggings is an easy answer for cool days. You do not need tights, your legs are covered, and a shorter dress or a long shirt dress becomes an everyday piece. Here you can read when the combination works, which dresses and leggings suit it, which shoes and jackets to add and how four outfits look.

When do you wear a dress with leggings?

Leggings under a dress are mainly a solution for autumn, winter and in-between weather. They replace tights, are comfortable and make a dress wearable that would be too short or too light on its own.

Cool days. The leggings keep your legs warm while the dress stays the main piece.
Shorter dress. With leggings underneath, you can wear a dress above the knee without a worry.
Everyday and travel. Dress, leggings and flat shoes are comfortable for long days on the move.
Layering. The dress is a long top and the leggings are the slim base.

For smart evenings, or when you want to show your legs, tights are the better choice.

Which dresses go with leggings?

Knitted dress. The knitted dress is the most comfortable option. The knit adds volume while the leggings stay slim. It matters that the dress falls at least over your bottom. For shoes, jackets and tights, read the guide how to style a knitted dress.

Long shirt dress and tunic. A long shirt dress or a tunic that falls to mid-thigh is the classic tunic dress and leggings outfit. Loose-fitting cuts work best with slim leggings.

Shorter dress. A dress above the knee looks more relaxed with leggings underneath and can be worn well into autumn. Light, flowing fabrics such as muslin go well with slim leggings in a dark shade.

Which leggings go under a dress?

The shop has leggings in brown and burgundy. The colour of the leggings depends on the dress and on your shoes.

Black suits almost every dress and black ankle boots.
Brown looks softer with beige, camel and cream and joins brown boots in one line.
Burgundy adds an accent and suits black, cream and brown.

As a rule of thumb, the leggings are as dark as the dress or darker. How to wear leather-look leggings is covered in the guide styling leather leggings.

Which shoes go with a dress and leggings?

Ankle boots. They are the simplest choice. The leggings end at the top of the boot or disappear just inside it, which creates one continuous line. Leggings in the shade of the shoes strengthen this effect.

Boots. Tall boots can be pulled over the leggings and keep your legs extra warm. You will find the styles among the boots.

Trainers and flat shoes. They are comfortable for everyday wear and travel. They look sportier, so choose a dress with a loose cut.

More on boot heights is in the guides dress with ankle boots and dress with boots.

Which jacket and jumper go with it?

With a shorter dress, choose a jacket that is shorter than the dress, for example a short jacket at waist height. A long coat works if you wear it open and the dress stays visible.

Cardigan. A long cardigan in a colour from the dress is the cosiest solution. Which lengths go together is explained in the guide dress with a cardigan.

Jumper. A short jumper over a shirt dress turns the dress into a look with a skirt. Ideas are in the guide dress with a jumper.