22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (2024)

Life is hard and, sometimes, real pants are simply out of the question. For the days when buttons, zippers, and denim are just too much to handle, it’s helpful to have a few leggings-centric looks in your outfit arsenal. While we’ve already established that soft pants, leggings included, work for most occasions, including days you head into the office, it isn’t always easy to determine what shirts go with leggings. The good news is that there’s a vibe-dependent component to putting together a leggings look. The less good news is that in a world with fashion vibes and aesthetics aplenty, it can be tricky to know where to start.

14 Fall Leggings Outfits to Level Up Your Athleisure

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (1)

There are three styles of shirts that work best when paired with leggings:

Cropped tees, hoodies, and sweaters are a natural fit in a leggings outfit, especially if your leggings are high-waisted.
Oversized shirts also play nicely with leggings, creating a silhouette that'll make you look leggy, no matter how tall you are.
Fitted tops can be worn with leggings, although they are the least commonly spotted of the three and are a bit tricky to style.

Whether you're looking for a shirt that will complete a cozy weekend lounge look or a top that can transform a leggings outfit into an elevated ensemble, we've got you covered, (crop) top to bottom with the 22 best shirts to wear with leggings, below.

01of 22

A Statement Peplum Top

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (2)

Since a peplum top creates a lot of volume, they're one of our favorite shirts to wear with a pair of sleek black leggings. When picking a peplum top for this look, we recommend seeking out one with plenty of structure for a contrasting and dramatic silhouette.

02of 22

A Cable Knit Sweater

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (3)

Cozy girls, this one's for you. An oversized cable-knit sweater is a perfect shirt to wear with leggings when temps start to drop, but it's not actually cold out. When worn with leggings, you can easily dress up a cable-knit sweater with elevated, classic accessories or lean into a more rugged and outdoorsy feel with ankle boots and a beanie.

03of 22

A Crewneck Pullover

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (4)

Leggings and sneakers go together like peanut butter and jelly and we love the look of a classically sporty crewneck sweatshirt thrown into the mix. Inject a little '90s into your styling by layering a turtleneck top underneath.

04of 22

An Embellished Crop Top

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (5)

Embellished separates aren't just for parties. You can create a modern, unexpected outfit by pairing a crop top with rhinestone details with a vibrant blazer and leggings. We love the blend of hard and soft created when this look is worn with sturdy boots, but you can create a more feminine feel with a pair of heels.

05of 22

A Cropped Cami

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (6)

Embrace a bit of boho energy by pairing a crocheted or knit camisole — or two! — with a long coat, boots, and leggings. When it comes to this outfit, the more layers, the merrier, so don't shy away from adding a sweater or jacket to the mix.

06of 22

A Tunic-Length Top

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (7)

Looking for a way to wear that not-quite-a-sweater-dress sweater or tunic? Pull on a pair of leggings and you're good to go. If you're concerned about a shirt or sweater that hits below your hips making you look boxy, a long, fitted jacket can add a more refined silhouette.

07of 22

A Turtleneck Crop Top

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (8)

Crop tops tend to read as casual, but a fresh and unexpected neckline can switch things up. A long-sleeved crop top with a structured or oversized turtleneck delivers fashion girlie energy to a leggings outfit without sacrificing a snuggle-forward feel.

08of 22

A Collegiate Cardigan

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (9)

This varsity jacket-adjacent top sits halfway between athleisure and preppy style, especially when worn with sneakers and leggings. While it's definitely casual, a cardigan, especially with a vintage, collegiate vibe, is a world away from your standard sweatshirt and leggings outfit.

09of 22

A Short-Sleeved Knit Top

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (10)

A short-sleeved knit top and a pair of pumps can transform a leggings outfit from one you'd wear running errands to a date night-approved look, especially if you accessorize with a coordinating statement bag and elevated jewelry. A lightweight knit shirt can also be tucked in for a snatched silhouette without looking bulky at the waistband.

10of 22

A Layered Button-Down

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (11)

What's better than one oversized shirt worn with leggings? Obviously, two oversized tops. A loose-fitting button-down and baggy cropped sweater manage to look put-together and intentional, despite not being fitted or formal.

11of 22

A Knotted Blouse

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (12)

If you tend to get lost in oversized tops, knotting an oversized shirt or blouse at your waist is an easy fix. This styling hack will lengthen the lines of your leggings so you're not left looking like a little kid in a sleep shirt.

12of 22

A Sweater Vest

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (13)

Another great way to accentuate your curves when wearing an oversized shirt with leggings is to add a cropped sweater vest to the mix. Since it doesn't have sleeves, you'll still get the oversized look of the shirt worn underneath, but with a bit more of a tailored vibe.

13of 22

A Three-Quarter Sleeve Sweater

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (14)

For a refined leggings look, try pairing your leggings with a fitted sweater that has three-quarter-length sleeves and adding a statement belt. The final effect is very Roman Holiday with all the comfort of your favorite sweatpants.

14of 22

A Boxy Blazer

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (15)

Take advantage of leggings' close-fit with a slouchy sweater worn with a boxy blazer. This look reads business casual, especially if you happen to have a vintage style doctor bag or briefcase on hand.

15of 22

A Matching Hoodie

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (16)

If you have a pair of printed or patterned leggings, it's generally a good idea to wear them with a solid top, like a cozy hoodie. Stick to coordinated shoes and accessories to avoid this outfit looking too busy.

16of 22

A Cropped Tee

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (17)

A cropped T-shirt is an essential shirt to have on hand if you frequently wear leggings. You can dress this look up with a blazer and heels, keep it casual by adding a cardigan, or lean into a sporty vibe without any outerwear layers, but with the addition of crew socks and sneakers.

17of 22

A Leather Shirt

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (18)

For an undeniably elevated look, you can't go wrong with a leather shirt and matching leggings. Black is an easy color choice here, but this look works equally well in jewel tones.

When it comes to the fit of the leather shirt in question, you've got options, but a more standard fit, rather than something cropped or oversized, with add balance to this look.

18of 22

A Corduroy Button-Down

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (19)

A little less heavyweight than a full-on shacket, an oversized corduroy button-down is a great shirt to toss on over a sports bra and leggings. It creates a sporty, casual look that's more dressed up than gym clothes, but just as comfortable.

14 Ways to Wear Shackets for Fall

19of 22

A Sleeveless Khaki Top

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (20)

For a sharp look with a bit of an utilitarian edge, try wearing a sleeveless khaki shirt with leggings. You'll get more great outdoorsy energy if you add a pair of duck boots, but you can also go for no-nonsense business chic with a pair of spiked high-heels.

20of 22

A Soft, Graphic Tee

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (21)

There's nothing wrong with keeping a leggings outfit entirely casual and tossing on an ultra-soft and faded graphic tee. That said, this normcore ensemble can achieve a bit of fashion street cred if you choose a T-shirt with a designer logo rather than album art, and add a pair of stacked sneakers.

21of 22

A Striped Shirt or Sweater

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (22)

There's something about a striped sweater, especially in shades of red or blue and white, that just feels elevated. Whether you opt for a sweater or a long-sleeve striped T-shirt, you'll look put-together and, with a blazer, shades, and trendy loafers, even quietly luxurious.

22of 22

A Color-Blocked Sweatshirt

22 Shirts to Wear with Leggings When Real Pants Are Out of the Question (23)

If you add a color-blocked shirt or sweatshirt and a color-blocked blazer to a leggings outfit, no one will notice you're not wearing a smart pair of trousers. With a coordinating crossbody bag and block heels, this is one leggings outfit that bears repeating.