When it comes to styling leggings, I’ve found that the difference between looking gym-bound and city-chic comes down to just a couple of smart swaps: the colour of your leggings and the shoes you pair them with.
Take Elsa Hosk‘s latest look as an example. Instead of defaulting to black leggings and white trainers, she opted for a chocolate-brown pair and finished them with supple brown suede sneakers.
There’s something inherently expensive-looking about the chocolatey shade’s decadent hue. Rather than blending into the background of an outfit, as black often does, rich cocoa tones bring depth, warmth and a subtle luxury. Add in suede—this season’s most sophisticated trainer update—and suddenly comfort dressing feels surprisingly refined.
Unlike white trainers—which, after seasons of colourful and suede styles dominating the market, feel a little less fresh—light brown suede versions bring comfort with a refined edge. Their deeper hue makes them less prone to visible scuffs, while the rich texture adds a level of dimension and luxury that white leather or fabric styles simply can’t match.
Hosk completed her styling with a light brown trench and a matching leather bag, adding stylish accessories that made her leggings and trainers feel far more intentional.
Scroll on to shop the best brown leggings and suede trainers to re-create the look.

