The lowdown on leggings: 7 reasons to spend $7
July 31st, 2007Last Spring I popped the revival of the ‘80’s leggings fashion fad into the “teenybopper box”. But this year I can’t seem to get enough of the look. The adapted trend can be worn in a flattering and age-appropriate way. The revival of dresses, minis and tunics this season have given leggings a stylish return. I’ll give you 7 reasons why you should spend $7 and get yourself a pair to experiment:
- They tone down the “dressy” aspect of wearing a dress. Match leggings with a jersey dress, add some flats and you’re ready for anything.
- They give you coverage if you are skin-shy about your legs.
- They are incredibly comfortable. Pairing a sturdy dress with leggings feels like you’re wearing sweats and a top instead of a frock.
- They add an interesting layering element to your ensemble. Choose a colour that co-ordinates with your dress or top and be playful with patterns and colours if you dare. If not, stick to black.
- They keep you warm when the air-conditioning is freezing.
- They are inexpensive, and an easy way of injecting the right amount of “right now” into your wardrobe.
- They are a great transitional item for Autumn. Add leggings and a cropped jacket or cardigan to an existing dress and you’re hip for when temperatures start to cool.
Don’t get caught up with the notion that you need to have thin legs to wear leggings. All they do is peek out from under your mid-thigh or knee-length dress or tunic. Make sure that what you wear on top is flattering and the leggings look will fall into place. This dynamic duo is best with knitted dresses and tunics, but certain sturdy woven styles can also work. Last week, I was thrilled to see my ready-to-pop pregnant friend in a gorgeous vintage empire-cut maternity dress that she had matched with black leggings and wedges - she never looked better!
When I’ve introduced this ultra-comfy look to my clients, they haven’t looked back.
July 31st, 2007 at 8:25 am
Are there certain brands of leggings that you recommend? Do these need to hit at any particular point on the leg to be flattering or any ol’ place is fine? Just wondering since I have been avoiding this trend thus far!
July 31st, 2007 at 9:13 am
Where is the best place to find them? I’ve been very afraid of this trend - the same way I was afraid of it in the 80’s. Is it better to try them on to be sure of opacity?
thanks Angie!
July 31st, 2007 at 9:54 am
Hmmm. As a short female (carrying a few extra pounds as well) I always worry about adding extra horizontal lines-if I’m wearing a skirt , and then add another line with the end of the leggins, then again with a shoe color–won’t I be at risk of making myself look all chopped up, wider and even shorter?
I know with pants you are always saying to have the line go all the way to the floor in order to lengthen the line. . .
July 31st, 2007 at 10:08 am
Hmmm, I’ve always been reluctant about leggings, but I do like the looks featured in the photos above. Couple questions:
Where should the bottom of the leggings hit on the leg so you don’t visually shorten the leg?
And, most importantly: What kind of shoes will look good with leggings? (A couple of the photos above feature flip flops, but somehow I think that if it’s hot enough for flip flops I wouldn’t wear leggings…) Would love to get some tips for fall shoes that look good with leggings.
July 31st, 2007 at 10:17 am
I hear you Jenn. Dresses might be better than skirts - more of a vertical flow for your body type. Also, it’s all about the length of the dress, where you wear your leggings and what shoe you pair with the look. I’ll elaborate on this tomorrow. I absolutely believe in extra long pant lengths as you mentioned….the dress and leggings look is another animal though. Another flattering look if it’s done properly.
July 31st, 2007 at 11:45 am
any advice on wearing them with heels or should i stick to flats?
July 31st, 2007 at 11:58 am
I have mixed feelings about this look. I love it in the examples you posted, but I’m afraid that being so short and small, it will make me look like a teenager. But at the same time, I feel like I should really take advantage of things like this while I’m young.
What I can’t stand is substituting pants with leggings! I have seen more pantylines this past year than I have in my entire life because of this!
July 31st, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I like leggings, but I haven’t quite found a way to wear them that I’m satisfied with. Maybe it has something to do with the lengths I’ve tried, or the lengths of my dresses. I have noticed that I like leggings much better when paired with short dresses (which I don’t typically wear). I’m looking forward to your next post on leggings.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:09 pm
I’m completely sold on this look — have been since last season. Particularly with my black cap sleeved wrap dress, they are a great look and a bit of security if there’s a sudden gust!
At 47 (and 5′0″ on a good day) I think that particular combo looks best on me with heels, although I never go higher than 2″.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Check tomorrow’s post for answers to your questions Maya. It can actually be quite a sophisticated look with the right pieces. Do yourself a favour and at least try on the refined version of the look - you might be surprised! And as for substituting pants with leggings……absolutely not. We only wear long tops with skin tight bottoms.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Angie, Love your site! I wanna try this look, but being a mother of two very young boys, I dont want people to ask if i m expecting a third child. It look great on the models because they all have super flat belly. My post pregnancy belly is not noticble, but hard to conceal under a knitted dress. please advise.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:32 pm
You have got it going on Wendy.The key to this look is not the leggings - it’s the dress. Get that right (and it sounds like you have) and the rest will follow. Bravo!
July 31st, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Hi Wendy. You can absolutely wear this look if you have a little extra around the middle….although it doesn’t sound as though you do? You need to look for an empire cut (either gathered or not). A-line styles are fabulous for this look because they don’t cling below the midriff. Patterned dress styles are also more forgiving than plain versions (perfect for camouflaging any little bulges that we are a little self conscious about)
July 31st, 2007 at 5:43 pm
I love with leggings you can safely wear shorter dresses than you would normally. I don’t buy specific purpose “leggings” as such either, I buy longer cotton bike pants/exercise shorts (not sure what they’re called in the US) which are usually more comfortable. Wearing leggings under dresses and skirts are great, especially if you chafe!
July 31st, 2007 at 6:58 pm
ok, this is totally not pc, but do guys dig this trend? i’ve been avoiding it because my boyfriend seems to detest leggings. i know i know, i should wear what pleases me, right?
July 31st, 2007 at 8:03 pm
i’ve experimented a little with leggings bc they are in and bc they are so comfortable, but I’ve given up because they make me look shorter and chunkier. Wearing the same dress and shoes with bare legs instantly seems to give my height a boost.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:05 am
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August 2nd, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I am pleasantly curvy and I wear leggings with a long, slightly fitted tunic. When I do wear this look, I opt to switch regular undies with my control tops for a slimmer look. I definitely love the look with heels as opposed to flats. To be honest ladies, the slim fit of the leggings actually make me “feel” slimmer and firmer. The purpose of the garment is really to show off leg and thigh contours, and with that tunic covering up most of my problem areas and having fairly decent legs and thighs, I feel absolutely fabulous is them! Grab a long necklace, sexy earrings and a chic bangle to complete the “I-look-fab-without-trying” look that the celebs seem to pull off without any ounce of effort.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:36 am
I love the leggings comfort and look; they are a dream when traveling. When done nicely, they are chic and comfy - aaah.
For me, one key is to keep in mind the proper type of dress/long tops for my body type, then add a legging to that.
Don’t try to rewrite the whole shebang - I just take the dresses/tops that suit my frame and then add a legging. (I highly echo the recommendation of The Pocket Stylist by Kendall Farr - spent the past week reading it and it’s really great for determining what the heck your frame is and why some looks are/aren’t for you, no matter what…)
August 13th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
That’s right Sara - this look is all about the right dress…the leggings are incidental.