Two distinct sections make up the "bottoms" portion of my closet. One side offers what I like to call "real pants." Think 2026 trends like cigarette jeans , capris , or cargo pants . The other side is full of "pretend pants" like leggings —which are getting a daytime rebrand with help from celebrities' best leggings outfits.

I used to believe I was breaking some cardinal rule wearing leggings beyond the gym. But Jennifer Lawrence and Rihanna recently opened my eyes: Just because the workout staples are skintight and made of spandex doesn't mean the right separates can't spruce them up. My ultimate off-duty muse, Lawrence, took her leggings and Ugg boots from cozy to oh-so chic with a $33,000 The Row bag . Soon after, Rihanna followed suit with a $46,000 Louis Vuitton Speedy stacked over a split-hem style. (Surprisingly, I didn’t have this less-than-skintight silhouette yet.)

It's not just that celebrities' leggings outfits are more elevated than workout wear. They're more colorful, too.…