Everywhere I Look, Elegant Dressers Are Wearing This Specific, Very Chic Leggings Trend

If you're anything like me, no January outfit has felt complete without a pair of leggings. Sorry, jeans—but the comfortable, stretchy, and form-fitting style is the only one I have patience for right now. Whether layered under trousers on particularly chilly days or styled with knee-high boots and a long knit for a more polished ensemble, leggings are the winter wardrobe essential I can't resist.

If you're as leggings-obsessed as I am, you'll know that not all styles are created equal. Sheeny pairs have a gym-ready feel to them that can be hard to dress up or make look chic beyond the treadmill, while colourful options often feel too casual for everyday wear. In my experience, simple, black thick styles are best for versatility and elegance. And the crème de la crème of the leggings world? It has to be stirrup leggings.

Stirrup leggings bring a sense of sophistication that sets them apart from their standard counterparts. With an equestrian-inspired finish, they exude the polished, rich-looking energy that's often associated with horseback riding. But far from being restricted to country clubs and riding arenas, stirrup leggings have proven they hold up in a day-to-day wardrobe.

Extending all the way down the leg and tapering into a loop that straps around the ball of the foot, the utilitarian design was initially created to ensure the leggings stayed in place during high-energy activities.

In my opinion, the charm of a stirrup legging lies in their duality: They’re undeniably practical, yet they have an elevated feel that standard leggings lack. They can be styled for more occasions than you may have imagined, and while their sporty origins might suggest otherwise, stirrup leggings have become synonymous with sleek dressing.

Picking up pace this season—I saw three people wearing them in the space of a week—the stirrup leggings trend has been embraced by more than just influencers. Take Hailey Bieber, for instance. The model wore her black stirrup leggings with pointed-toe kitten heels, a black turtleneck, and Saint Laurent’s leather Bea tote for a chic outfit that’s surprisingly easy to recreate at home. To complete her polished ensemble, she parted her short hair down the middle and accessorised with gold earrings and rectangular sunglasses—a masterclass in understated elegance.

What makes stirrup leggings truly special is their ability to elevate an outfit without overshadowing it. They act as a blank canvas while adding a hint of refinement that other leggings simply can’t match—plus, they're about as comfortable a clothing item as you can get. I also appreciate the fact that the stirrup detail keeps them firmly in place, especially when wearing boots, as it stops the hem of the legging from riding up due to the friction.

So, whether you're channelling Hailey Bieber’s easy elegance or keeping it simple with ballet flats and knitwear, stirrup leggings are the perfect addition to your capsule wardrobe.

Read on to discover our edit of the best stirrup leggings below.

SHOP STIRRUP LEGGINGS: