How to wear those leggings
August 1st, 2007Yesterday’s post on leggings started a great discussion in the comments, so I thought I’d follow up with more information on how to apply this trend. I have seen all body types and ages pull off this look with style. From sizes 0 to 28 and petites to tall, it can be done. Here are some guidelines that might help:
- Dress or tunic style. You’ll want a dress that doesn’t cling and show through the detail of the leggings underneath. Thicker jersey knits, spandex knit blends and mesh work best. Fancier silk sack dresses will also work when paired with a heel. A-line patterned styles with empire cuts and front-knots work particularly well because they’re forgiving on the hip, tummy and thigh area. Straighter shift styles work well for those with apple and rectangular body types.
- Dress or tunic length. If you have slim thighs, wear your dress/tunic as short as mid-thigh length and no shorter. If you’re leg-shy or carry a little extra on your thighs, wear your dress around the knee (either just above, on, or just below). Do not wear leggings without wearing an extra long top, or as a substitute for pants. Those nightmarish ‘80’s fashion days are over.
- Leggings length. I like leggings best when they stop on the widest part of your calf because accentuating a shapely calf muscle is flattering. Somehow, this length seems to work whether you have small or big calves. Wearing leggings that stop below your knees but above your calf muscle will also work. Wearing them ankle length looks best paired with a high heel. Most leggings are ankle length which means that you’ll need to scrunch them up to your best length. This automatically makes them more opaque, which gives you extra coverage.
- Legging types. There are plenty of options to choose from. Footless tights are cheap and made of nylon. Brands like Hue, DKNY and Frenchi in plain colours will cost you between $6-$12 and you’ll find those in the hosiery section of any department store. Cotton lycra leggings will cost a little more ($22-$40) and you’ll find them scattered amongst the clothing. Once you get the dress right, you’ll get way with spending $6 on leggings.
- Shoe options. The look works with both flats and heels and will depend on your preference. If you feel a little flat-footed and short, opt for a heel. Ballet flats, wedges, fancy thong sandals and shoes with chunky heels are my favourite footwear combination for this look.
It’s fun to try a different look, especially if you feel in a bit of a rut with the clothes in your wardrobe, so give leggings a bash. If you still feel that the look is not quite “you”, you’ll at least have had a bash at something new.
A-line front-knot and empire cut dresses (left) are a “default” option for the leggings look. Sack dresses (right) also work magically with leggings (I personally prefer this combination with a small heel).
August 1st, 2007 at 8:21 am
I really think that this trend can be very cute, but I do not like the leggings in the picture on the right. It looks like the woman in the blue dress is accidentally showing her (full-length?) spanx or something. I’m not a fashion expert, but I think that the cotton or sturdier type leggings (in darker colors) look better than leggings made to look like pantyhose.
My mother in law bought me two pairs of leggings last year for my birthday, but I’ve yet to wear them, mostly for lack of an appropriate top. I’ll have to put those dresses on my wish list.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:54 am
I tend a agree that nude hose is less appealing. It’s a very avant-garde look. Dark pantyhose leggings tend to look the same as cotton lycra leggings with knee length dresses cause you barely see them. I have both and I can’t tell the difference once my ensemble is put together. Hope that you find some fab dresses on sale!
August 1st, 2007 at 9:36 am
I also have a pair of patterned leggings which look great with non patterned outfits and they also look great with a straight cut skirt that ends at the knees. Angie - thank you for these incredibly detailed and practical tips on leggings. I think I need to expand my selection!
August 1st, 2007 at 11:17 am
You have me very curious about this look now. I wish I could try it out but all I can wear right now are sneakers! Oh well, at least I managed to avoid the dreaded Crocs
Hopefully I’ll be back in flats before the dreaded NY winter approaches and I can try this look out.
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:40 am
this is awesome info. i saw print ads from the vera wang for kohls campaign and leggings are all over the place! now i’ll know how to wear them well
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:58 pm
I wore this look for the 1st time yesterday and loved it. I was completely dubious of the return of leggings (especially as my 1987 h.s. reunion is coming up!) but I tried them at Angie’s request. They were really comfortable. They kept me warm on my chilly morning walk to work. They didn’t feel too hot during the day either. In fact I must admit, I really liked how they kept my thighs from rubbing together. Ok, that’s kind of icky to think about - but I’m sure I’m not alone in this sweaty, summer, skirt situation! Anyway, I felt very modern and updated. My friend said I looked like a bohemian ballerina. How cute!
August 13th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
i’m a little gun shy but i’m still going to experiment. I must share my experience with you - I recently ventured out into the world of leggings with a pucci inspired dress that ended just above the knee, dark brown leggings and brown wedge high shoes that tied with a ribbon. i left the house feeling funky. But all day at work, i could see that people looked me up and down, then said nothing. It was the strangest thing. Was the look too sexy? i work in a very casual environmnet where pretty much anything goes.
what do you think?
August 13th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
I would suspect that you looked wildly different to how you usually dress for that environment Lisa - is that right? Perhaps a little more alluring and absolutely fashion forward and funky by the sounds of things. Were you comfortable? Expect others to follow suit as you have probably raised the bar at work!
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:29 am
[…] lengths that finish straight over your bottom or straight across your thighs. You can sport the leggings look with the right A-line dress because this look is about the dress and not the […]
September 19th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
I love the leggings look. It is very feminine and attractive, but not too sexy. Since they are a chic look, Lisa, it is to be expected that people will look at you. It is a much more attractive style than the ho-hum stuff normally worn. Hold your head high and be confident. I like them best ankle length (the most slimming) with a tunic/skirt/whatever above the knee. Longer just doesn’t look right, mid-calf is a bit flirty and youthful, but higher gets a bit sexy. I hope this style becomes a mainstay (we could use some variety).
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:09 pm
It’s time that we ALL wear leggings. Choose a well made pair - not with cotton fibers that bag out over time but a high tech fiber that retains it shape. Get over the body image constraints and just wear them. Go for the comfort and support. Leggings that go to the ankle have a greater positive visual aesthetic than capri style that chop the leg. Plus the full length leggings support you from your ankle to your waist and give you an energetic lift. Laugh, Live, Love & Enjoy! Check out www.UnJeans.com
October 12th, 2007 at 8:40 am
[…] tunics this season. Wear them over jeans (skinny, straight or bootcut), or with a thick pair of leggings and knee-high boots. Knitted tunics also fall into the “sweater dress” category, so remember to […]
April 24th, 2008 at 10:21 am
I have yet to wear the leggings, but after reading this, I might go buy a pair tonight! Thanks for the tips!