As the weather gets progressively chillier, loafing around in all things athleisure sounds pretty appealing. And yet, your calendar is jam-packed with holiday bashes. Good news: There are tons of ways to dress up those trusty black leggings for basically any festive occasion on the books.
“They really showcase your special pieces without competing.”
“Black leggings are a blank canvas, so they really showcase your special pieces without competing,” explains superstar stylist Ashley Avignone, who’s worked with clients such as Emma Stone and Ashley Benson. For more formal occasions, be selective with the type of legging you choose. “Opt for a sturdier, opaque fabric rather than a sheer stocking-like legging,” Avignone says. “These will look more expensive and dressy.”
Ahead, check out Avignone’s expert tricks for dressing up the workhorse of your activewear wardrobe for a trifecta of festive situations.
Photo: Topshop
A luxe, holiday party-worthy look
Avignone suggests going for an embellished wrap dress that closes in the front, worn open, to layer over a trusty pair of black leggings and inky camisole. “I would choose a higher-waisted, cropped legging,” she advises. “Pair with a simple black sandal, and make sure to leave a gap between the bottom of the legging and the ankle strap.” As for accessories, the stylist recommends a sparkly earring—”It brings out the subtle sequins of the dress,” she says—and a petite metallic bag with a delicate strap (along the lines of this Saint Laurent heart-shaped bag).
“I would start with an oversized, crisp white button-down,” she says, noting that a style with darts in the bodice helps avoid looking bulky. “To jazz it up, I would throw on a bustier over the shirt,” she says. For footwear, she’s a fan of jeweled mules. “This pair from Manolo Blahnik has a little something extra for the holiday season,” Avignone says. Her pro tip: “Adding another luxe fabric, like a velvet bag in a bright color, gives the look some punch,” she says.
A casually cool look for basically any holiday gathering
Even if you’re weary of the ugly Christmas sweater, some stylish, but cheeky, knits are worth considering. “There are so many great novelty sweaters right now,” Avignone says. Pair a fun knit with a jacket that has a unique shape or detail.” Stick with a classic black legging style, or try a stirrup legging with a white boot. No need for baubles with this getup, but if you do want to accessorize, consider a simple, geometric pair of danglers: “I’ve been eyeing these gold drops from Sophie Buhai—earrings are definitely the accessory of the season,” Avignone says. Complete the look with a boxy, medium-size bag.
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If you’re waiting for a sign to invest in a new mattress—this is it. Presidents’ Day (Monday, February 17 this year) is right around the corner, which means pretty much anything you can think of will likely be on sale. Some of our favorite mattress brands will be dishing out discounts that are too good to sleep on—and you might even score free pillows and accessories while you shop too.
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Whether you’re a side, back, stomach, or combination sleeper, rest assured (pun intended) that there’s a mattress deal out there for you. To save you the legwork of having to go out and find these sweet deals on your own, we rounded them up for you, right here. Scroll on for the best Presidents’ Day mattress sales, as well as some killer bedding deals from brands we love.
Best Presidents' Day mattress sales, at a glance:
Avocado—up to 20 percent off sitewide, no promo code required
Bear—35 percent off sitewide using promo code PRESDAY
Casper—up to 30 percent off mattresses and up to 35 percent off everything else
Helix—25 percent off sitewide, plus two free pillows with mattress purchase with promo code PRES25
What’s more American than sleeping on an Amerisleep mattress? In all seriousness, though: Save $500 on any mattress purchase using the promo code PD500 at checkout. Adjustable bed bundles (which include a base and a mattress) are 30 percent off, too.
For its Presidents’ Day Sale, Avocado is discounting up to 20 percent off all of the brand's eco-friendly mattresses, from the OG Avocado Green Mattress to the newer (and more plush) Luxury Organic Mattress. Plus, you'll also find big discounts on bedding, pillows, furniture, and more.
Quality hibernation (read: sleep) is key to pull you through these last weeks of winter, and what better way to do it than on a Bear mattress? Bear is currently offering 35 percent off sitewide for Presidents’ Day, plus two free pillows with your mattress purchase. Just use the promo code PRESDAY at checkout.
If you’re dreaming of sleeping on a sustainably sourced, hypoallergenic mattress, do it with Birch, Helix’s sister brand. Birch is offering up to 25 percent off sitewide (that includes bedding and bases) plus free shipping. Just use the promo code PRES25 at checkout.
Score the Burrow Lyric Hybrid Mattress (originally $1,199 for a queen, now $959) as part of the modern furniture brand’s Presidents’ Day Sale, where you can also take up to 25% off sitewide on bed frames, sofas, and much more. No promo code required.
From now until February 26, the OG bed-in-a-box company is treating customers to up to 30 percent off mattresses, and up to 35 percent off everything else, including bedding, pillows, and accessories. No promo code required.
Helix is also joining in on the Presidents’ Day action, offering 25 percent off sitewide, and two free pillows with every mattress purchase. Plus, if you purchase a Helix Luxe or Elite mattress, they'll throw in a mattress protector, and sheet set. Use the promo code PRES25 at checkout.
Fans of squishy-yet-supportive memory foam, this one's for you. Layla mattresses are up to $200 off for Presidents’ Day, plus extra savings on sleep accessories, like the brand’s weighted blanket, down alternative comforter, and cooling mattress topper. With every purchase of a mattress, you’ll also receive two free pillows—no promo code required.
These luxurious bed-in-a-box mattresses will give you a sleep worth celebrating this Presidents’ Day and beyond. Take 25 percent off sitewide, including bedding and bases. Plus, with every mattress purchase, you get two free pillows. Sweet.
You bet Mattress Firm isn’t snoozing on the Presidents’ Day savings. During its Prezzz Day Sale, you can snag up to 57 percent off (!!) on some of Mattress Firm’s best-selling brands, like Sealy and Beautyrest. You’ll even get a free adjustable base with select mattress purchases.
If you want to overhaul your sleep situation, you won’t regret doing it with Nolah. The mattress company is offering up to 35 percent off on all mattresses for Presidents’ Day, and is even throwing in two free pillows and $150 off the brand's BedJet 3 cooling system. No promo code required.
Save $1,250 on Plushbeds eco-friendly mattresses, and receive $599 in free bedding, including two organic pillows, a sheet set, and a waterproof mattress protector. You'll also see up to 25 percent off toppers, pillows, and bedding and 50 percent off adjustable beds.
At the Purple Presidents’ Day Sale, you can score discounts up to $900 on mattresses and base sets, depending on the type of mattress you purchase. No promo code required.
Serta is celebrating Presidents’ Day in a big way—you can save up to $925 on select mattress and adjustable base sets, including all-foam beds, innerspring beds, and beds-in-a-box. No promo code required.
Sleep Number is hosting a number of impressive Presidents’ Day deals, including 50 percent off the brand’s best-selling smart beds, and 20 percent off cooling mattresses. You'll also find discounts on furniture and BOGO deals on pillows and sheet sets.
For its Presidents’ Day Event, you can save up to $500 on select Tempur-Pedic adjustable mattress sets, and get $300 in accessories for free (with select mattress adjustable mattress sets). No promo code necessary.
The Tuft & Needle Presidents’ Day sale gets our vote. Now until February 25, you can shop the brand’s beloved memory foam and hybrid mattresses for up to 20 percent off. No promo code required.
Achy bones and sore muscles need a break? Both the brand's original foam and hybrid mattresses are designed to relieve pressure and support joints while you sleep. And now you can get one for $300 off the original price using the promo code VAYA300 at checkout.
Zoma is dubbed the “sports mattress for athletes,” but anyone can benefit from its comfort. The performance mattress brand is currently offering 25 percent off mattresses (and free shipping and returns) when you use the promo code SLEEP25.
Did you know the trendy furniture brand Article sold bedding? Well you do now. Save up to 40 percent sitewide during the Article Presidents' Day sale, including quilts, duvet covers, and sheet sets.
Take up to 25 percent off almost everything sitewide, plus up to 50 percent off sheet bundles from Brooklinen, now through March 19. Just apply the promo code PRESDAY at checkout to save.
From now through Presidents' Day (Feb 17) save up to 30 percent on bundles and sets of eco-friendly bedding, sheets, pillows, towels, and more from Buffy. No promo code required.
From February 15 alllll the way until March 15, take 30 percent off the entire Cozy Earth site when you use the promo code WELL+GOOD at checkout. We recommend stocking up on the brand's luxe bamboo bedding or treating yourself to a new bamboo pajama set (which are the comfiest pajamas around).
From February 12—24, take an extra 20 percent off sale items (including sheet sets, pillows, towels, and more) when you apply the promo code SALE20 at checkout.
You could call your brain and heart the co-captains, board of directors, command center (you get it) of your body. And yet it’s easy to move through a day, a week, or a year without checking in on either of them.
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But let’s get real—if the command center of your body isn’t functioning optimally, nothing in your body will be functioning optimally, so proactively supporting your brain and heart is seriously important. Luckily, there’s an easy way to support both using an ingredient you’re probably familiar with: cocoa. Specifically, cocoa flavanols, which are polyphenols found in the cacao plant that are known to promote healthy blood flow.
Quick science lesson: Flavanols are a subset of flavonoids, a group of compounds found in plants (including fruits and vegetables) that help increase your body’s nitric oxide production, which in turn allows your blood vessels to widen. Widened, or dilated, blood vessels function more effectively and help your body’s systems—your heart, your brain, and everything in between—function better, too.
That’s why registered dietitian Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, says incorporating cocoa flavanols into your routine is a simple way to boost your body’s overall functioning. But before you take free rein to eat as much chocolate as you want for the sake of your health, know that it would take a lot of brownies to fully reap the brain and cardio benefits of cocoa flavanols—and Shapiro cautions the unhealthy levels of sugars and fats associated with this kind of consumption (and direct heat from baking removes health benefits of flavanols). Instead, “a flavanol supplement would provide a concentrated, sugar-free [serving] of these compounds, making it a more effective way to support brain and heart health,*” she says.
CocoaVia™ capsules and powders are made with Cocoapro™, a cocoa flavanol extract that’s 24 times more concentrated than cocoa powder. These high-quality supplements are formulated specifically to help sustain long-term brain and heart health with virtually no effort, since you can take them in capsule form or stir them into your favorite beverage.†*
Plus, you can get 20 percent off all CocoaVia Cardio and Memory products (excluding the Cardio Stick Packs) with code WG2025. What better way to start giving your co-captains some love?
The brain benefits of cocoa flavanols
Incorporating a cocoa flavanol supplement into your daily lineup can help support your cognitive health by improving blood flow and neuron functioning†, Shapiro says. “Enhanced blood flow to the brain [may] support memory, focus, and overall cognitive function. By [supporting] neurons, flavanols also help preserve and maintain brain health as we age, improving overall quality of life.”
CocoaVia Memory+ is formulated with 750 milligrams of cocoa flavanols—which studies suggest is the clinically proven serving for improving three types of memory (including word recall, spatial memory, and long-term memory) in as few as eight to 12 weeks. CocoaVia Memory & Focus combines the flavanols with lutein, a carotenoid nutrient that Shapiro says is best known for its impact on eye health, but also has major cognitive benefits.†
Bonus: Memory & Focus is formulated with 50 milligrams of naturally occurring caffeine (or about one half the amount in a cup of coffee) to give you a little energy boost alongside all that brain support.
The cardio benefits of cocoa flavanols
As for your heart? “Cocoa flavanols support cardiovascular health by improving blood vessel elasticity…and enhancing blood flow—effects that are crucial for [retaining] healthy blood pressure…and promoting overall circulation, which benefits the entire body,” Shapiro says.
And the science supports her insights. From 2015 to 2020, Brigham and Women’s Hospital conducted The Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study, or COSMOS. More than 20 thousand participants opted into the five-year study, which investigated the long-term impact of flavanols on health—and showed that participants who received 500 milligrams of cocoa flavanols daily, in accordance with the study protocol, had a 39-percent reduction in deaths from cardiovascular disease compared to those in the placebo group.
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CocoaVia’s heart health support comes in the form of capsules and powder, taken daily. If powder’s your preference, stir a scoop (or a stick pack) into hot water or coffee for an easy upgrade to your morning mug, or get fancy with a batch of chocolatey overnight oats for breakfast, protein energy balls for the mid-afternoon slump, or black bean dip for your next taco night.
There’s never a bad time to offer your body’s board of directors a little extra support—so snag these heart and brain supplements* while they’re 20 percent off, and celebrate your new routine with a steamy cup of cocoa.
*Always talk to your doctor about adding supplements to your routine.
† This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Hey wellness seeker! Friendly reminder that—like all of wellness—the supplements you take are personal. Well+Good always recommends checking in with your health-care provider before adding a new supplement to your routine.
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