Leggings are a well-documented winter outfit staple, but they’re also ideal for transitional weather — those days when the temperature hovers between chilly and cool as well as rainy days ranging from drizzly to stormy — and busy days when you’re on your feet for hours at a time. Despite (or perhaps because of) their utility, leggings are among the easiest wardrobe basics to dress up. When worn with the right pair of boots, leggings can even rise to the level of OOTD occasion wear. 

Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best ways to wear boots with leggings, inspired by the best outfits the internet has to offer.

Add a Snuggly Scarf Coat

Statement coats can be just as cozy as they are eye-catching — case in point: the delicious Moncler scarf coat above — which makes them the ideal piece to add to a boots and leggings look. Let your coat dictate both the color scheme and style of the boots you layer underneath. More casual coats call for athletic, western, or block-heel booties, while a more formal coat syncs up with high-heel or over-the-knee boot styles.

Commit to Color

Never underestimate the power of a pop of a singular color. One of our favorite ways to amp up a boots and leggings outfit is to inject a bit of brightness through your choice of footwear. The shape or style is less important than the color saturation: the brighter the better whether you're tugging on snow boots or going for an elegantly arched stiletto bootie.

You can keep the rest of your look casual and low-key, especially if you happen to have a bag that ties in your neon-bright boots.

Lengthen Your Lines

Try adding a sweeping trench or pea coat and opt for knee boots. These and similar lengthy layers add drama and sleek, extended lines to a cozy winter look. For even more visual impact, go for every fashion girlie's favorite color palette: All-black.

Opt for Cropped Outerwear

If you're going for an all-black ensemble, you can't go wrong with a sleek and elongated silhouette, courtesy of combat boots and a cropped jacket or coat. Keep things sporty and casual with a puffer coat or lean into a grunge vibe with a leather moto jacket.

Try a Bold Sole

If wildly bright boots aren't quite your thing, you can take a baby step towards the same style effect by opting for an otherwise neutral-toned pair of boots with a bright sole. Like many of the outfits listed in this roundup, you can apply this styling hack to multiple footwear styles, but we think you'll get the most fashion mileage out of a pair of chunky platform boots.

Match Textures for a Seamless Look

You don't need to spend a fortune on designer pants to create a seamless look from the waist down. Instead, texture-match your boots and leggings. This approach is easiest to pull off with stretchy faux leather leggings and close-fitting leather (or faux) leather boots, but can also be created with other fabrics like suede.

Show Off a Bold Sweater

Matching boots and leggings in black or a similarly dark neutral shade make a beautiful backdrop for a vibrant sweater. With this 'fit, the more oversized the better. A larger-than-life chunky sweater with a thick knit and bulky turtleneck is equal parts chic and cozy.

Balance Out a Blazer

Rain or shine, rain boots, and leggings are an A+ fashion combination. Add a touch of polish by wearing your rain boots and leggings with business casual layers on top. Trust us: If you're wearing a button-down, blazer, and quilted mid-length coat, no one will guess how cozy your legs are.

Mix in Metallics

One way to easily take a boots and leggings outfit from casual to glamorous is to work metallics into your look. More is more with this styling approach, but that doesn't mean you have to cosplay an Academy Award statuette in a head-to-toe gold ensemble. Instead, try mixing metallics by choosing one shade for your outerwear, one shade for boots, and another for accessories like a belt worn high on your natural waist or a shiny mini bag.

Make a Splash With Stirrup Leggings

It’s easy to elevate a boots and leggings outfit, especially when the leggings in question come pre-chic. Stirrup leggings are a great choice if you’re looking to go glam in comfy pants. Top things off with a faux fur teddy and matching ankle booties.

Set the Stage for a Statement Look

The truth is that you don't need to wear a full set of tailored bold separates to create a truly standout look. Boots and leggings are the perfect base for your best and brightest tops and accessories.

Create Chic Contrast

Add depth to a monochromatic look by choosing textures that bring out the best in each other. To keep things visually rich and cohesive, we recommend opting for a top and leggings that feature a lot of contrast, like the matt black puffer and high-shine leggings above, and finishing the look off with a pair of boots with design details that echo both your top and bottoms.