I love wearing leggings at Christmas and New Year’s because they’re comfortable, easy to style, and perfect for a relaxed holiday get-together. But when ordinary black leggings feel a little too everyday, velvet leggings are a beautiful way to glam things up.

Velvet leggings are soft, plush, and festive, but they don’t have to be saved for a fancy party. I wear mine casually with a cozy sweater and boots, dress them up with sequins for New Year’s Eve, or add a rich holiday color like burgundy-red.

If you’ve been wondering what to wear with velvet leggings, here are three easy outfits that take them from a casual winter day to Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

1. Wear Black Velvet Leggings With a Cozy Sweater

Black velvet leggings are the most versatile because they can be dressed up or down. They have the comfort of regular leggings, but the soft texture makes them feel a little more special.

For this casual winter outfit, I paired my black velvet leggings with a pale-blue fringed turtleneck sweater. I love the contrast between the plush velvet and this cozy après-ski-style knit. The baby blue also looks fresh and pretty against the deep black.

My sweater had a very high turtleneck that felt like it was swallowing my neck, so I folded it inward instead of rolling it over. That gave it more of a modern mock-neck look and opened up my face.

I finished the outfit with black lug-sole booties. These have a streamlined sole, so they feel current and sporty without looking too heavy. They’re also waterproof, which makes this outfit practical for running errands, meeting a friend for coffee, or heading out for a casual holiday lunch.

This is such an easy formula:

Black velvet leggings + cozy sweater + casual ankle boots

When you’re wearing velvet leggings casually, choose a sweater with some personality. A beautiful color, interesting texture, cable knit, fringe, or a slightly relaxed shape keeps the outfit from looking flat.

2. Style Red Velvet Leggings for Christmas

 

Red velvet leggings make a much bolder holiday statement. Mine are actually closer to a rich burgundy or raspberry red, which I find easier to wear than a bright, true red.

Since the leggings already have so much color and texture, I kept the rest of the outfit simple with an ivory textured sweater. The creamy white brightens the deep red and gives the outfit a soft, festive look without piling on more color.

I added black ankle boots with a slightly chunky sole. They give the outfit a modern edge and balance the strong color of the leggings.

If you’re wondering what colors to wear with red velvet leggings, you can’t go wrong with:

• Ivory or winter white
• Black
• Camel
• Soft gold
• Pale pink
• Navy

I especially like ivory because it makes rich red velvet look elegant and Christmassy without becoming too theme-like.

For a dressier Christmas outfit, you could swap my cozy sweater for a soft cashmere tunic, a silky blouse, or one of these festive holiday tops to wear with leggings.

3. Dress Up Black Velvet Leggings With Sequins

Black velvet leggings are also fabulous for a holiday party or New Year’s Eve. They’re comfortable enough to sit, mingle, and enjoy yourself, but they look much more luxurious than basic leggings.

For this outfit, I wore mine with a short gold sequin top. Normally, I prefer a longer top with leggings, but velvet leggings are thicker and more opaque than many regular leggings. That makes a shorter party top easier to wear.

Even so, I felt more comfortable adding a long black cashmere cardigan. The cardigan provides coverage, softens all the sparkle, and gives the outfit a more relaxed, elegant feel.

I also love the long black column of color created by the leggings and cardigan. The gold sequins draw the eye toward the center, which is very flattering.

[Insert black velvet leggings and gold sequin top photo]

My black suede booties have a glam gold heel that ties in beautifully with the top. You don’t need a high heel to create the same effect. A low black suede bootie with a delicate heel would be lovely, as would an embellished loafer, dressy ballet flat, slingback, or evening mule.

Gold earrings and a sparkly clutch are the finishing touches. This outfit works for a cocktail party, dinner at a friend’s home, entertaining at your place, or New Year’s Eve.

The best part is that the velvet leggings were the only new piece when I first put this look together. Everything else was already in my closet. Sometimes all it takes is one fresh piece to make your old holiday favorites feel exciting again.

What Tops Look Best With Velvet Leggings?

Since velvet has a soft sheen and plenty of texture, the best tops either complement that richness or create an interesting contrast.

For a casual outfit, try:

• A chunky or cable-knit sweater
• A cozy turtleneck or mock neck
• A longer cashmere sweater
• A sweater with fringe or another interesting detail
• A soft tunic sweater

For a party outfit, try:

• A sequin top
• A silky blouse
• A velvet or satin tunic
• A sweater with crystals or embellishment
• A festive top layered under a long cardigan

Your top doesn’t always have to cover your bottom, but it should work with the thickness and fit of your leggings. If your velvet leggings are thin or very clingy, a longer sweater or cardigan will give you more coverage. If they’re thick, opaque, and supportive, you have more flexibility.

What Shoes Should You Wear With Velvet Leggings?

The right shoes depend on how dressy you want to look.

For casual velvet-legging outfits, I like:

• chic lug-sole boots
• Flat ankle boots
• Chelsea boots
• Tall riding boots
• Clean, simple sneakers

 

For Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve, try:

• Suede ankle boots with fancy heel
• Low-heeled dress booties
• Embellished loafers
• Ballet flats
• Pointed-toe slingbacks
• Dressy mules

Black shoes are the easiest choice because they create a long, uninterrupted line with black velvet leggings. With red or burgundy velvet leggings, black boots ground the color and keep the outfit looking classy.

Black or Red Velvet Leggings?

If you’re buying your first pair, I recommend black. Black velvet leggings are easy to wear casually and can also be dressed up with a sparkly or silky top. You’ll probably find more ways to wear them throughout the winter.

Red or burgundy velvet leggings are more of a statement, but they’re beautiful at Christmas. Keep the rest of your outfit simple and let that rich color be the star.

Whichever color you choose, look for velvet leggings that are opaque, substantial, and comfortable at the waist. A supportive waistband helps create a smooth shape without making you feel squeezed.

My black and red pairs were from Spanx. One sizing note: be sure to check the brand’s size chart instead of ordering automatically. I generally wore a size 6, but in these Spanx leggings, a medium was the right fit for me.

Can I wear them now? Are Velvet Leggings Still in Style?

Velvet returns every holiday season because it feels luxurious, festive, and cozy—all the things we want at this time of year. The simplest way to make velvet leggings look current is to style them with clean, modern pieces rather than making every part of the outfit overly dressy.

A colorful sweater and streamlined boots make them casual. A sequin top, long cardigan, and elegant booties make them party-ready. You don’t need much more than that.

If you love the comfort of leggings but want something a little more special for winter, velvet leggings are a fun change. Whether you choose classic black or a rich holiday red, they can take you from a casual afternoon to Christmas dinner or New Year’s Eve without giving up comfort.

Which outfit would you wear—the cozy blue sweater, the Christmas-red velvet leggings, or the gold sequin party look?