Leggings and Heels: Fashion’s Newest High-Low Sensation
Leave it to the arbiters of modern style to breathe new life into fashion’s most basic building blocks. The latest unlikely pairing? Leggings and heels, spotted on everyone from Kim Kardashian to Lady Gaga in recent months. Though the combination may seem counterintuitive at first blush, the stars are proving it can be glamorously chic.
When Kim Kardashian West stepped out in Los Angeles this September wearing head-to-toe designer pieces – a Chanel cardigan here, Balenciaga boots there – with simple black leggings, she sparked a revolution. The Skims founder made it clear one hardly needs couture bottoms to create a red carpet-worthy look. Pairing leggings with heels instantly elevates the sporty staple, imbuing it with old Hollywood allure. Ms. Kardashian West is certainly no stranger to styling her beloved Balenciaga pantashoes, a Frankenstein-esque $3,000 pairing of leggings and boots, for nights out. But her recent choice to wear basic black leggings hinted that the fusion of athleticwear and glam footwear need not be difficult or expensive.
Chrissy Teigen clearly took notes, hitting the New York City streets in December wearing buttery soft Lululemon Align leggings with knee-high Saint Laurent boots and a velvet baseball cap. The juxtaposition of dressed up and dressed down was elegant in its apparent effortlessness. Ms. Teigen, ever the trendsetter, proved that throwing on heels can instantly transform workout-ready leggings into eveningwear.
Taking the look one step further, Lady Gaga recently strolled through Malibu wearing purple croc-embossed Larroudé stilettos with basic black Alo Yoga leggings. Though ready to break into dance at a moment’s notice, Ms. Gaga’s leggings said Pilates while her heels screamed party. Anyone inspired to try the surprising combination for themselves needn’t fork over thousands, as A-listers are proving it works just as well with wallet-friendly leggings.
Recent runways underscore the sartorial power of matching leggings and heels. At Saint Laurent’s Fall/Winter 2023 show, models wore black leggings with knee-high boots in leather and snakeskin. Blumarine took the look back to the 80s, pairing stirrup leggings with colorful pumps. Even Ferragamo showed leggings with pointy heels, a combination Hailey Bieber quickly made her own on the streets of Los Angeles.
So why has this unlikely pairing suddenly clicked? Perhaps after two years spent primarily in loungewear, stars are craving glamour even with their most casual pieces. Or maybe the fusion proves that when it comes to timeless fashion formulas, the old rules no longer apply. Whatever the rationale, the message is clear: leggings plus heels can now go anywhere but the gym. So slip into your favorite yoga pants, strap on your highest heels, and take this high-low look for a spin. Wherever you end up, you’ll be setting trends.
