Forget Fleeces and Hoodies—This Is the It-Girl Jacket to Wear With Plain Leggings

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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.

TOTEME Organic Cotton-Blend Jacket

Come rain or shine, you’ll wear this Toteme jacket all the time.

Nordstrom Seamless Layering Camisole

The perfect layering piece for fall.

Flattered Alva Big Bag

We can attest to Flattered’s suede handbags being a solid investment for the season.

H&M Capri Sports Leggings With Softmove

Now, here’s a pair of leggings that can effortlessly go from your Pilates class to brunch plans.

Maison Margiela Tabi New Leather Ballerina Flats

Nothing we love more in this household than tabi ballet flats.

Otra X Grandquist Maddy Sunglasses

With ’70s-inspired sunglasses trending again, there’s no better time to buy a pair of two-tone aviators.

WEAR: Faux-fur hat + ’80s-inspired earrings +black sunglasses + brown leather windbreaker jacket + brown plain leggings + white pointed pumps + small black handbag

Styling Notes: Embracing color-blocking isn’t the only way you can make a windbreaker and leggings outfit look chic. Frankly, there’s no better way to make an otherwise “basic” parka jacket look a little bougier than by embracing texture. Opt for a parka with a coated finish that looks like leather or pair your outfit with faux-fur accessories. Bonus points if you opt for pieces in decadent neutrals or pair your staples with polished accessories (as shown above).

Uniqlo Coated Short Blouson

The wax coating on this raincoat makes it look like leather.

Zella Studio Luxe High Waist Pocket 7/8 Leggings

Trust us—these chocolate-brown leggings will become a staple in your closet.

Marc Fisher LTD Cecile Pointed Toe Pump

These pretty pointed pumps also come in black, gold, silver, and red.

Shopbop Heaven Mayhem Ribbon Earrings

Never underestimate the power of a good pair of earrings, as they can elevate anything (leggings included).

Tory Burch Mini Eleanor Satchel

Hello, lover.

WEAR: Black sunglasses + oversize white windbreaker jacket + white lace slip dress + black plain leggings + black mesh ballet flats + minimal black bag

Styling Notes: Beyond texture and color, another way we’ve seen the style set get creative with this otherwise “simple” outfit formula is through layering. More specifically, we’ve seen a micro styling trend where a white slip dress is layered over black leggings and under an oversize parka jacket (as seen above) to create a balance between the tough and dainty elements. It’s a simple styling hack, but it’s an effective way to elevate these sporty pieces for everyday life.

ZARA 100% Linen Bomber Jacket

Even if you’re not a sporty person, this jacket will be a beloved staple in your life.

KAT THE LABEL Arabella Slip

The best thing about this dress? You can wear it with your windbreaker and leggings or all by itself for a night out.

SKIMS The Essential Collection High Waist Leggings

Consider this your sign that it’s time to invest in a new pair of leggings for fall.

Tony Bianco Mia Flats

In case you were wondering, mesh ballet flats are still going strong.

Freja New York Mercer Faux Leather Top Handle Bag

All of our editors love this East West handbag.

Tom Ford Fernanda Sunglasses

Lean further into the visual contrast by embracing oversize sunglasses.

WEAR: Black sunglasses + silver stacked earringscape + tan windbreaker jacket + black capri leggings + black heeled thong sandals + black shoulder bag

Styling Notes: While creating visual juxtapositions through creative styling is a compelling way to make this outfit combo look chic, if you’re worried it’s a bit too casual for your taste, take cues from above. You can make this jacket feel a bit more formal by shopping for a windbreaker that leans into the trench coat territory. Additionally, you can elevate your look through simple swaps, such as swapping plain leggings for capris, sneakers for heeled sandals, a gym bag for a bowler bag, and headphones for a stacked earringscape.

Alo Yoga Cropped Unify Jacket Toasted Almond

Traditional trenches to the left, there’s a new style in town.

Aritzia Original Contour Archetype Capri

Aritzia’s staples can’t be beat.

Steve Madden Tracie Black Leather Sandals

You’ll wear these well into next spring.

Marge Sherwood Bessette shoulder bag

Bowler bags will remain a big trend for fall.

AKILA Blossom Sunglasses

Classic oval-shaped sunglasses > all else.

KBH Jewels Sterling Silver Five Row Ear Cuff

We love a good ear cuff.

WEAR: Black sunglasses + hoop earrings + white windbreaker jacket + black capri leggings + plaid button-down shirt + flip-flops + stacked rings + handbag

Styling Notes: By now, we’ve hopefully proved the point that the pairing of windbreakers with plain leggings can be quite polished (with proper styling, of course). But if we can leave you with any parting thoughts, the allure of this specific styling trend all comes back to pragmatism. It’s rare for outfit formulas to strike a balance between being cozy and cool, yet there’s something about the windbreaker and leggings combo that checks all the boxes. Even more so when the look is finished off with chunky hoops, a plaid flannel, a suede handbag, and trendy flip flops, as shown above.