Once an essential staple of casual wear, leggings have evolved into a highly versatile necessity. They’re right up there with the little black dresses, tailored blazers, and plain white tees that everyone needs to assemble a well-rounded wardrobe. And while it was once considered taboo to wear leggings as pants, it’s no longer a fashion faux pas to rock them—thanks to the thousands of cool legging designs available.

It helps that there are so many options out there—but that can also make navigating the wide world of leggings a little confusing at times. After all, they were once designed solely for workouts. Today there’s a pair for nearly everything on your packed agenda, from your morning run to your weekend brunch to your much-deserved date night.

But which is the right style for each occasion? It all comes down to preference and function. Full-length leggings, for example, are great for working out when it’s chilly outside. Cropped lengths are cute and comfortable for warmer days. By contrast, leather or faux leather leggings are perfect for your nights out.

Then there are those edgy styles featuring strategic cuts and holes that lend them a little street-chic credibility. Add to the fold jeggings (denim-style leggings) and treggings (trouser-style leggings), and you’ve got yourself a landscape of options that could easily overwhelm your wardrobe—in the best possible way. All that’s left is to select some cute styles to shake up your look!

Upgrade Your Look With These Cool Legging Design Trends

1. Humorous

We all know that person who doesn’t take herself too seriously. Add a little levity to your look with a pair of funny leggings that illustrates you’ve got a sense of humor and aren’t afraid to wear something different. Where leggings are concerned, it’s easy to get trapped in the cycle of wearing plain black or gray bottoms every single time—but then you miss out on the chance to slip into offbeat raccoon leggings, wear French bulldogs, and celebrate Thanksgiving in unforgettable fashion.  

2. Adorable

“Cute” may be a relative term in general, but there’s no denying the appeal of the quirky styles that set leggings apart from, say, the tailored trousers you wear to work or even the yoga pants you wear when you’re lounging around the house. There’s something irresistibly sweet about a pair that celebrates your love for all things Minnie Mouse, a playful polka-dot pattern, candy-coated Easter bunnies, and cupcakes topped with icing.

3. Clever

Leggings can also help you convey an important message, whether you’re supporting an important cause or honoring your favorite sport. They can spark conversation based on their unusual designs, or reveal an interest that you’ve never shared with anyone before. For example, you can easily pair your favorite baseball shirt with a pair of leggings just made for opening day. Or you could spread breast cancer awareness in a pair of pink ribbon bottoms personalized with your name and a slogan of your choosing. And nothing says tough like a pair of “mom and veteran” leggings to honor your service on all fronts.

4. Costume

Wearing a costume is the one chance you get to go all out and express yourself in a way that you normally wouldn’t. There’s a pair for every occasion—which means it’s all too easy to find something that adds a little extra flavor to your celebratory ensemble. Going all out for Halloween? Easy in a pair of candy-coated leggings! Heading to a 1980s theme party? You’ll look totally rad in your hot pink bottoms adorned with boom boxes. Dressing up as the elf at this year’s holiday party? You need a pair of these festive leggings adorned with stripes and holly.

5. Abstract

For the person intrigued by prints and patterns but not quite ready to graduate into a world of eye-popping leggings quite yet, consider an abstract design. Sure, they’re vibrant, but they have a tendency to appear more approachable—you could wear them with your favorite tunic or a long cardigan, for example, in your daily life. A pair incorporating dark hues is an upgrade from your usual solid hues, while an oceanic theme makes it easy to sport neutrals with a twist.

Clearly, it’s easy to make leggings an integral part of your wardrobe. Whether you’re dressing up or down, you can find thousands of ways to make them work for you!