I’ve noticed all around NIU’s campus that leggings have been all the rage, though, there are some people out there that are opposed to leggings and don’t really consider them pants. With a little styling and creative thinking, leggings might just be that extra kick you need for a dull outfit.

There are several variations of leggings out there, some a bit crazier than others, and some just add a little something extra. All in all, when finding the right style for you, don’t be afraid to take a step outside of the box, even if it is just with your toe.

The first style of leggings that I’ve seen quite a bit on celebrities has been faux leather leggings. Faux leather leggings have just a hint of something extra. They’re different from the average black leggings because they have a bit of shine. According to Glamour.com, you can dress your leggings with a solid color or a printed blazer and a pair of studded high heals to give your outfit that rockstar feel, and to accessorize you get silver or black bangle bracelets and a pair of funky rock star earrings.

The next style of leggings is animal print. Animal print has been very popular at NIU. I’ve seen all types of prints from cheetah to zebra and even giraffe. With animal print leggings you can have a bit more fun and go for an African safari-inspired outfit. You can take a pair of any type of animal print leggings you want and pair them with a white V-neck T-shirt and either a camo green-colored jacked or tan-colored trench coat. As for shoes, you can pick from a pair of black or brown combat boots or some strappy sandals. For accessories you can add more animal print flare with a scarf, earrings or fun bracelets.

The third style of leggings is the floral print leggings. These leggings scream spring, and as it just so happens spring is right around the corner, making this style perfect since floral leggings are covered in flower print and soft pastel colors. Floral leggings allow the average woman to embrace her extra girly side. But, if you’re not up for being too girly, you can always get the floral leggings in a darker color. These leggings look adorable with combat boots, preferably in a pastel color, or again you can go darker. For the top, add a cute light-washed denim vest and a cream-colored long sleeved shirt to go underneath. You can also add a touch of something extra by getting flower earrings or a flower ring.

Now, for the final style of leggings. While browsing online I found an amazing pair of glitter leggings at OnTheRunway.com. This type of legging has started to attract some fame. A lot of celebrities, online fashion bloggers and critics have been seen wearing the glitter leggings at New York’s Fashion Week. I’ve seen quite a few pictures and I’ve fallen in love with them. Though they are a bit loud, I think these leggings are bound to catch some attention on a fun night out. These leggings would pair nicely with a solid black studded blazer or a blousy shirt, along with a pair of plain neutral-colored high heels. This outfit and everything you might decide to pair with it cannot be too overbearing, since the leggings themselves do a lot of talking. Simple is better.