Leg Warmers With Dresses: How to Wear the Trend

To wear leg warmers with a dress, pull them over tights and let them slouch around the ankle, then add flats, loafers, ankle boots or a low heel. They suit sweater dresses, knit minis and short skirts best, where the extra texture fills the gap between hem and shoe.

Leg warmers have moved from the dance studio back onto the street, and with a dress they look cozy and a little playful. The trick is treating them as part of the outfit, not as an afterthought you pulled on for the walk to the car.

The easy leg warmers outfit

The easiest leg warmers outfit has three parts:

1. A knit or mini dress. A sweater dress, a ribbed knit mini or a short pinafore. The hem should sit above the knee or right at it, so there's leg to fill.
2. Tights. Sheer black tights for a lighter look, or opaque tights in black, brown or gray for cold days. On very cold days, fleece-lined tights go underneath.
3. Leg warmers, slouched. Pull them up to just below the knee, then push them down so they gather in soft folds around the ankle and lower calf.

Then add your shoes. That's the whole formula, and it works from a coffee run to a casual holiday party. For more ways to build on a knit dress, see sweater dress outfits.

Leg warmers with different shoes

The shoes change the mood more than anything else. Here are the three main directions.

With ballet flats and loafers

Ballet flats and loafers are the current way to wear leg warmers: the slouch of knit sits on top of a slim, low shoe, which looks a little ballet-inspired and very easy. Choose a rounded or square-toe flat in leather, suede or satin, or a classic loafer; ballet flats covers the styles. This is the best look for errands, a casual office or a weekend lunch.

Leg warmers in a color that matches your tights make the leg look long; a contrasting cream or gray pair over black tights is more playful.

With ankle boots

Ankle boots are the warm, practical option for real winter. Either pull the leg warmers down over the top of the boot, so the knit slouches onto the leather, or tuck them in and let a few inches show above. A boot cuff, a short knit band that sits just above the boot, gives the same look with less bulk inside the shoe. For the right boot height with your dress length, see ankle boots with a dress.

With heels

Leg warmers with heels look more fashion-forward and work for an evening out. Push the leg warmers down so they bunch just above the ankle and leave the heel and the front of the shoe clear. Pumps, block heels and Mary Jane heels all work; a slim strap across the foot looks especially good under a slouch of knit. Keep the tights sheer and the dress short or knee length, and the outfit looks deliberate rather than cold.

Knit leg warmers: choosing the knit

Knit leg warmers come in two main styles, and the knit you choose decides how bulky the look is.

Ribbed knit gives a slim, neat line. It slouches in fine folds, sits flat under a boot, and is the easiest to wear with flats and heels. It's the better choice if you want leg warmers every day.

Cable knit adds chunky texture and looks coziest. It's great with a plain sweater dress and ankle boots on a cold weekend, but it adds more volume at the ankle, so keep the shoes simple.

Length matters too. Knee-length leg warmers give you enough fabric to slouch; calf-length ones give a shorter, neater gather. Check the listed length, and whether the listing describes them as one size, because a very snug pair won't slouch and a very loose one will slide down. Dance warmers with stirrups or feet are made for the studio; for a dress, choose a plain tube.

Color is personal, but neutrals are the easiest to wear: black, cream, gray, oatmeal and brown. Match them to the tights for a long line, or to the dress for a coordinated look.

Dresses that suit leg warmers

Some dresses work better with leg warmers than others:

• Sweater dresses and knit minis: the most natural pairing. Knit on knit looks cozy and intentional.
• Pleated minis and short pinafores: playful and a little preppy, especially with loafers.
• Corduroy and wool dresses: good texture contrast with a ribbed knit.
• Slip dresses with a cardigan: a softer, ballet-style look with flats.
• Short holiday dresses: a velvet or knit party dress with sheer tights and cream leg warmers is a cozy take on Christmas outfit ideas.

Long maxi dresses and most midis hide the leg warmers, so you lose the point of wearing them.

Where leg warmers work

Leg warmers are a casual-to-smart-casual accessory. They look right at a weekend brunch, a coffee date, a casual office on a cold Friday, a holiday market, a movie night or a relaxed holiday party with friends.

They're less suited to formal or traditional settings. Skip them at weddings, funerals, client meetings and anywhere with a dress code above smart casual, where sheer tights and simple shoes look more appropriate. In between, such as a nice dinner, a slim ribbed pair in black over black tights with heels can work if the rest of the outfit is polished.

Getting the proportions right

Leg warmers add volume at the bottom of the leg, so balance it with the rest of the outfit.

• The shorter the dress, the more leg warmer you can show. With a mini, pull them up to mid-calf before you slouch them. With a knee-length dress, keep them lower and slouchier.
• With a midi, keep the slouch short. A midi that ends mid-calf only leaves a few inches, so push the leg warmers right down to the ankle, or skip them.
• Keep the top fitted or simple. A big sweater, a full skirt and chunky leg warmers all at once can swamp you.
• Pick one color story. Match the leg warmers to the tights, or to the dress. Three different colors on the legs breaks up the line.

Care

Check the label before you wash them. Washing knit leg warmers gently and drying them flat, rather than hanging them, helps them keep their shape and stops them stretching out at the top.