https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:31:58 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on/page/2#post-2044814 Thu, 18 Jul 2019 04:51:20 +0000 DonnaF 2044814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When DD was in high school, dresses and shorts had to be at least fingertip length. Of course, some kids have proportionately longer/shorter arms and fingers. And as for shorts: DD pointed out to the Principal that junior size shorts simply weren't sold that long; we looked. If a girl were big enough to wear misses sizes, she had more (ugly to her) options. Same with the very, very tall but very slender girls: No dress would be long enough in their tiny size.</p> <p>Glad to see Roanoke's unisex dress code. I also don't want to see gender non-conforming kids forced to wear clothing that doesn't fit their gender identity whether fluid or not.</p> <p>I will also say that I mentioned to a young woman running around the path where I walk that I could tell the panties under her leggings had pink and red hearts of varying sizes. Yes, they were as thin as tights. I also added that maybe she couldn't tell when she dressed inside, but in full daylight from the back that's what I could see and did she know that. That's the only time when I've seen too much and the mom in me came out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on/page/2#post-2044049 Tue, 16 Jul 2019 15:04:13 +0000 Anonymous 2044049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The mentality of women as "the temptress" -regardless of any specific outfit- has always bothered me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on/page/2#post-2043866 Tue, 16 Jul 2019 02:55:54 +0000 Echo 2043866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Our past high school principal had a policy like this, and it worked very well. Unfortunately, the new principal seems to enforce NOTHING as far as a dress-code goes. I think it's unfortunate.</p> <p>Actually, I rather prefer school uniforms. It eliminates dress code concerns as well as "keeping up with the Joneses." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on/page/2#post-2043847 Tue, 16 Jul 2019 01:29:10 +0000 Sal 2043847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kari - I like that policy- that is a mature inclusive way to tackle a tricky area.</p> <p>I don't have any opinion about leggings to be honest.&nbsp; I wear them.&nbsp; I do have strong opinions about the way that people opine about leggings and what is appropriate.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I also think that it is fine to have a dress code and to make expectations clear of people, as long as it is achievable from a sizing, cultural and cost perspective.&nbsp; I might start a new topic about that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on/page/2#post-2043842 Tue, 16 Jul 2019 01:19:40 +0000 Helena 2043842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kari, that is perfect - exactly what I think is reasonable. </p> <p>Bennett, thanks so much for explaining that perspective to me. </p> <p>I think Echo articulated a lot of what goes through my mind about it. </p> <p>I love that we can discuss such a difficult and controversial issue in such a productive way! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on/page/2#post-2043789 Mon, 15 Jul 2019 23:39:15 +0000 Kari 2043789@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FWIW, here is a way more inclusive way to craft a dress code. </p> <p><a href="https://www.scarymommy.com/roanoke-schools-gender-neutral-dress-code/?utm_source=FB" rel="nofollow">https://www.scarymommy.com/roa....._source=FB</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on/page/2#post-2043455 Mon, 15 Jul 2019 01:52:17 +0000 Anonymous 2043455@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't love the leggings as regular wear phenomenon and I'm a little disappointed by the mainstream popularity of clothing for women that relies on such unimaginative allure.</p> <p>And while I believe completely that people are responsible for their own behavior, I monitored both of my daughters clothing choices because we don't live in that paradise yet.</p> <p>I didn't read this post as a comment on Catholicism. I thought the letter writer felt like she needed more authority than her own voice to be taken seriously, which I understand, but in the end was inappropriate and misleading. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on/page/2#post-2043436 Mon, 15 Jul 2019 00:32:07 +0000 Bennett 2043436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, I don't find leggings to be even remotely sexy, or revealing. Less revealing than so many other clothing choices. They ARE traditionally workout and gymwear so it's gonna be hard to not see women in them.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on/page/2#post-2043423 Sun, 14 Jul 2019 22:17:55 +0000 Echo 2043423@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Before saying anything else, I want to state that I think men and women on their own time (not at a job) should be able to dress however they please.</p> <p>But there are so many people here defending the right of women to wear revealing clothing. That's fine, but how often do we consider the cultural norms (in the Western world) that women's bodies be uncovered, pushed up in all the right places and put out there for general sexual (thought) consumption? It is no accident that women's clothing is more revealing, that women's formal wear tends to be strapless and plunging, even that women's shoes tend to look a certain way.&nbsp;</p> <p>So we are quick to criticize the idea that women should be expected to cover up, but we aren't so quick to criticize that spaghetti straps, short-shorts, strapless, figure emphasizing, leggings and other fashions are marketed almost exclusively to women. That, IMO, is just as sexist as the opposite of expecting women to cover up.</p> <p>I think that I am with Rachy. Not only is thinking about sex all the time exhausting, but so is looking for reasons to be offended. Yes, the woman who wrote the piece has misplaced concern and should expect her son's to take responsibility for their own focus and their own thoughts. But I don't feel that workplace or school dress codes (not that Universities have one) are unfair in most cases, as they generally do expect the same things for men and women (as far as covered is concerned, men are expected to wear suits and ties, which is far more restrictive than women's dress codes). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on/page/2#post-2043404 Sun, 14 Jul 2019 21:12:26 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2043404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rl, and soon thereafter, women began arming themselves with hat pins to prick the jerks with. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on/page/2#post-2043396 Sun, 14 Jul 2019 20:51:56 +0000 rachylou 2043396@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You know what I love? I love Victorian England. Men were brought to trial - and most often convicted - of doing things like lifting their shirt while standing in front of a window. Good times! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on/page/2#post-2043333 Sun, 14 Jul 2019 15:46:41 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2043333@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wise thoughts, Bennett. As the mother of a 16 year old son, I’m familiar with the discomfort you suggest this mom might be struggling with. My son is not doing anything untoward, and is quick to defend women &amp; girls’ rights, but when he told me, a few weeks after arriving in Germany, that he missed cheerleaders, it wasn’t megaphones and sneakers he was talking about. It took me a minute to be ok with that, but of course it’s actually fine. I trust that he didn’t leer, touch, or comment inappropriately. </p> <p>On the cultural pressure for women to cover themselves, Muslims will tell you that it is wrong for men to tell women how to dress. It should be a woman’s choice. There are stories of Mohammed telling men who criticized women dressed in revealing ways that they (the men) should “lower their gaze”. So it is not a religious thing there either—the pressure is cultural/societal.</p> <p>On dress codes, I’m of two minds. Yes, telling office workers that their shoulders must be covered and clothing shouldn’t be tight does affect women disproportionately, but aren’t the cultural ideals that women should wear uncomfortable shoes that could legit lead to injury (turning an ankle or falling) and be relatively uncovered while men sport walking shoes and clothes that easily draped over a paunch sexist themselves? Those are slowly changing (go Angie, with the flat shoes!) but still quite strong. How much of women’s wishes to wear them are internalized gender norms that say our bodies should be visible and appear available? I disagree strongly with sending girls out of class because their attire “interferes” with boys learning, but I also strongly prefer to address young girls (heck, everyone, at any age) in terms of their abilities and character, rather than appearance. Not that I know how to undo the general emphasis on feminine bodies—see young man missing cheerleaders above. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2043328 Sun, 14 Jul 2019 15:33:28 +0000 Bennett 2043328@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The argument is made that any blanket rule that really only affects one gender (as torontogirl explained above) is actually an attempt to control and restrict the women, in this specific argument. Men are unaffected . Women must comply. It looks innocent and fully inclusive until you break things down to who is truly being affected here, who is being controlled. Some cultures have the rule extend all the way to women having to wear a burqa (spelling?) to appear in public. It is a controlling action directed towards women, from one end of the spectrum to the other, that is being dragged into the light, and I need to be open to new ways of seeing things that I never questioned before. Why do we think it is more ridiculous to make a male wear a blindfold so he won't be stimulated by a woman's appearance? It is certainly ridiculous for some segment of the female population to have to wear a burqa so the men won't have to struggle to control their lust, but it exists!</p> <p>I suspect Catholic Mom may be uncomfortable with the fact that her boys are, biologically and genetically, sexual beings with thoughts she can't know or control. So shame the girls into compliance.&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't like leggings as pants for myself, that I will stand firm on!!!!!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2043069 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 21:40:03 +0000 Jenni NZ 2043069@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FashIntern, I don’t think it was the same article but definitely about the same woman. Could have been a Link Love around the time of the long leggings thread, or a new thread around that same time. I forget. 6 months or so ago. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2043028 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 19:59:43 +0000 Helena 2043028@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This may be a very controversial comment, so please know it's intended as a genuine question. First off, I do disagree with this woman. Her sons' issues are her sons' issues - women are NOT responsible for other people's behavior, not least because of how they dress. That said, in business and other dress code settings - men *tend* to wear shirts with sleeves, long pants or longer length shorts, closed toe shoes, etc. Generally, though not always, when someone wears e.g. very form fitting clothing, short shorts, thong shoes, sleeveless or spaghetti strap tops, they are usually women. Therefore, if a dress code or cultural norm calls for e.g. covered shoulders or backsides, it will be more women rather than men, affected by that dress code. I don't have an issue with this as to me if the rule applies to everyone, it's fair, but I know some women do. And I'm wondering how folks feel/think about this? Again, this is a genuine question and not intended to be provocative. Thanks </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2043025 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 19:51:15 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2043025@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>elpgal, she was a graduate student and you could tell she was a SHE? The horror! (all very tongue-in-cheek) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2042991 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 19:04:05 +0000 elpgal 2042991@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fashintern, your story reminds me. At my midwestern graduate school we had a postdoc from Florida who would show up to group meetings in seminars braless in strappy tops and shorts in the summer much to the alarm of our conservative faculty. It took her a while to figure out the dress norm (dingy T-shirt’s and denim). To her credit she always dressed in beach girl attire albeit a little more covered up </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2042980 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 18:39:56 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2042980@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>This article was posted before? That explains why I thought it was so directly related to our conversations about leggings and whose responsibility it is to see that men and boys behave and can focus on their work. I didn't realize it was the very same article. Sorry. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's been a while since I've been to Mass. Growing up, the cool kids went Sat eve when they could wear jeans, and we went Sun morning, wearing dresses, as do my nieces now. I think a lot of it is regionally-dependent too. My son went to school in Tampa, so of course girls didn't wear much, and on weekends and holidays, they posted pix of themselves at the beach with girlfriends, all in bikinis. My sister in Cleveland was scandalized--her daughters would never do such a thing! Of course not--they'd get frostbite, lol. <br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2042706 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 03:07:02 +0000 Tina 2042706@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well I think men should wear leggings too...<br /> And maybe low, tight v-neck t-shirts...<br /> And nobody would give it a second thought- or would they? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2042700 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 02:59:00 +0000 Gaylene 2042700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, it’s surprising how well fathers and sons seem to cope with the sight of their mothers and daughters on European beaches. Of course, most females aren’t wearing leggings... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2042696 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 02:40:38 +0000 cobaltblue 2042696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha, Rachy! I guarantee that the hotter it is outside, the colder it is in that building’s arctic AC! </p> <p>I apologize for jumping back into the forum on what may be a contentious thread. Just thought I’d be able to add an interesting perspective since I (unintentionally, as it happens) joined the protestors. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2042693 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 02:27:59 +0000 rachylou 2042693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That must have been quite the encounter, cobalt!</p> <p>I don’t know. My fam is from the West Indies. When you go to mass daily in a hot humid country... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2042692 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 02:26:41 +0000 cobaltblue 2042692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I forgot to mention that we are certainly responsible for our own thoughts and actions, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t make choices that make that easier for others. It’s not my responsibility to keep men (or women) from being beastly, but at the same I time understand Catholic Mom’s argument that mostly-naked bums right in the face is a little... distracting, shall we say, even for me, a person who has no interest in the backsides of college students of either gender!</p> <p>And I’m with Rachy, though, why’s it got to be about sex all the time?</p> <p>Edited for a missing apostrophe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2042689 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 02:21:24 +0000 cobaltblue 2042689@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I totally bumbled into this controversy completely by accident, stopping by the library at Notre Dame in gear leggings and pushing a jogging stroller mid-run to return some books and feeling incredibly uncovered - just not my thing! </p> <p>I noticed while I was out running that so many women on campus were wearing leggings, and, as it turns out, it was the day of this protest.</p> <p>Having spent many a Mass kneeling with short-short hanging-out bum cheeks and absolutely skintight see-through leggings literally within inches of my face, I must admit that I have sometimes wished that some ladies made different fashion choices!</p> <p>But I’ve also stopped in at that basilica in leggings myself, accompanied by loud baby and the jogging stroller mentioned above, and have never felt less than welcomed or accepted there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2042687 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 02:13:51 +0000 rachylou 2042687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it’s weird to make everything about sex. That takes sooo much energy. Wear this to attract a bad man, wear that to trap a good one. How about people just get a job or something? Lol. I’m such a curmudgeon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2042683 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 02:03:20 +0000 Kari 2042683@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well said. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2042675 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 01:51:02 +0000 Janet 2042675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kari, thank you.</p> <p>I cannot get behind any line of thinking that holds women or girls responsible for the actions of men because of what they wear. Don’t like it? Don’t look. Simple as that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2042647 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 00:24:18 +0000 Irina 2042647@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wonder what does she do when her sons go to a beach or a gym? Blindfolds them? LOL </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2042645 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 00:23:40 +0000 Jenni NZ 2042645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Go Kari. I agree that she chose to label herself that way. She could have called herself just a mother of 4 sons.<br /> Actually though, pretty sure this came up either in last year’s leggings thread or in a Link Love around that time, so it is old news. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/leggings-as-pants-the-controversy-goes-on#post-2042640 Sat, 13 Jul 2019 00:18:45 +0000 Kari 2042640@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey, folks: “Catholic mom” was how the original letter writer quoted in the article (not the writer of the article) labeled herself. You can read more in the article. </p> <p>The letter writer states:<br /> “I’m just a Catholic mother of four sons with a problem that only girls can solve: leggings... These are not just my sons—they’re the fathers and brothers of your friends, the male students in your classes, the men of every variety who visit campus. I’m fretting both because of unsavory guys who are looking at you creepily and nice guys who are doing everything to avoid looking at you. For the Catholic mothers who want to find a blanket to lovingly cover your nakedness and protect you—and to find scarves to tie over the eyes of their sons to protect them from you!”</p> <p>(I’m firmly in the camp that this is incredibly icky, and that the letter writer’s sons should take responsibility for their own behavior and stop worrying about what other girls wear, or labeling them as “naked” when they are clearly clothed, or to police or blame them in any way for men behaving atrociously. If the letter writer feels she wants to tie a scarf over her sons’ eyes to protect them from what others choose to wear, I don’t understand it, but ok.) </p>