Forget Fleeces and Hoodies—This Is the It-Girl Jacket to Wear With Plain Leggings
Every once in a while, there's a jacket trend that manages to take us by surprise, akin to the sensation of getting caught in a rainstorm on an otherwise sunny fall day—windbreakers being one of the more recent examples of this phenomenon. Whether you prefer to refer to them as anoraks, parkas, or soft shells, there's no denying that this specific type of coat has taken the fashion world by storm (excuse the pun), as it's been spotted across the S/S 25 and F/W 25 collections. But don't be fooled—this trend is by no means a ploy to push pragmatism by designers, as we saw them push the boundaries of how we perceive this otherwise utilitarian rain jacket.
From The Row and Gucci's more minimalist-leaning take on this trend in the form of monotone windbreaker looks to the maximalist-coded styling that paired sportswear with evening wear (as seen at Miu Miu, Burberry, and Prada), there is no shortage of examples showing how to style windbreakers in a way that is, dare we say, actually cool.
It's no wonder, then, that we've seen the style set slowly adopt this jacket trend, as evidenced by the sheer number of stylish people wearing it out in the wild. But it's not just that we've seen the style take over social media too, but that it's being styled with another staple in a way that's equally surprising: leggings. The concept of wearing a windbreak with plain leggings might not seem groundbreaking, we know, but we'd argue that how the fashion crowd has taken cues from the runway to transform these otherwise pragmatic pieces with creative styling is groundbreaking. What's the proof, you ask? Ahead, we're making our case for why the fashion crowd can't get enough of this styling combo with a roundup of five windbreaker-and-leggings outfit ideas, styling tips, and a curation of the best rain jackets for women. Fair warning: You may find yourself surprised by your sudden desire to swap out your trusted hoodie for this fall trend.
WEAR: Black windbreaker jacket + black T-shirt + black cropped leggings + black wedges + black shoulder bag + black sunglasses
Styling Notes: If you didn't think a parka paired with plain leggings could be posh, please see the above outfit as proof otherwise. When in doubt, the easiest way to make this pairing feel more fashion-forward is to prioritize two key elements: a cohesive color palette and cool accessories. You can give these staples some edge not only by going for an all-black look, but also by styling them with some of the season's hottest accessories (aka with an East West shoulder bag or pair of peep-toe wedges).
The North Face
North Dome Water Repellent Wind Resistant Stretch Nylon Jacket
Rain, rain, don't go away, because we need another excuse to wear this jacket.
RÙADH
The Isla Organic Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
The subtle nipped-in waist on this T-shirt is so sophisticated.
Beyond Yoga
High Waisted Pedal Pusher Legging
Pro tip: Opt for a pair of cropped leggings to make your look even cooler.
Tony Bianco
Topaz Flip Flop
These wedges will haunt us for the foreseeable future (they're that good).
ALAÏA
Le Teckel Small Leather Shoulder Bag
Self-fulfillment needs: Alaïa's Le Tekel Bag.
Elisa Johnson
Dakota Sunglasses
No all-black look is complete without a pair of classic black sunglasses.
WEAR: Tinted aviator sunglasses + tank top + white windbreaker jacket + black capri leggings + black ballet flats + tan suede hobo bag
Styling Notes: What's another way you can make styling a windbreaker with plain leggings feel cool? Embrace color blocking.There's something so visually intriguing about styling a white anorak jacket with contrasting black leggings; it gives the pieces the perfect pop. You can inject further visual interest into your look by incorporating playful accessories, such as oversize sunglasses, a suede hobo bag, and even funky ballet flats.
