Ask Angie: Help me understand derriere coverage and tunic length

N-Marie

I am experimenting with the idea or leggings or skinnies (tucked into boots for the fall) under a longer shirt, which is a new style for me.

I've absorbed the message that leggings are NOT PANTS and should therefore not be worn in a butt-exposing way (right?)

So what is the correct length for a tunic? I'm rather petite and short-waisted, but I've tried on several shirt labeled as "tunics" and I can still see about 1-2 inches of bum hanging out in the back below the hem of the shirt. It almost seems like I need a mini-dress rather than a tunic shirt to have my entire derriere covered!

As for the front, should the shirt be going down to the crotch or an inch or more below? Should I be looking for a shirt with a high-low hem?

13 years ago

Dressing

8 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

Keix

Veteran

I would wear a tunic-length top as you've described (covering only part of your rear) with skinnies and jeggings, but not with opaque leggings. To me, leggings are a thicker swap-in for tights and should be worn only with a mini-dress/skirt or equivalent-length tunic. If the item is described as "denim leggings" or jeggings but has real pockets with a real zip fly, I would consider those pants and wear with hip-length tops.

Interested to see what Angie and others think--I'm certainly no leggings expert!

13 years ago

Diana

Veteran

My personal opinion is that leggings are basically tights so you should be able to remove them and not be indecent in the tunic alone. Granted, the tunic without leggings might make you uncomfortable, and I'm not saying you should wear it so, but the point remains that it theoretically should be decent on its own. So that means the tunic should cover both your entire butt as well as your crotch, with maybe a couple of inches below. I find that things listed as minidresses generally work better than things sold as tunics.

If they're skinnies (or jeggings that pass the pants test - must have real seams, real fly, real pockets, and real waist) then a shorter top is fine, so I'd go with whatever length you feel comfortable and flattering.

13 years ago

N-Marie

Veteran

Ah, OK, I think I'm getting it.

Skinny jeans with some butt visible =OK
Leggings with visible butt = inappropriate

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The ladies have sorted you out. Just chiming in to say hi

13 years ago

Julie

Veteran

I'll put in my 2 cents for the mini dresses instead of tunics. That's what I wear over my jeans. Being only 5'3" I keep the hem of the dress no lower than mid thigh. I also used to do the skinny jeans tucked into boots like you mentioned, but find that boot cut jeans over high heel boots give me a longer leg line.

Cheers

Julie

13 years ago

Anonymous

This post was extremely helpful to me. Thank you for breaking it down for me.

13 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I have also noticed for myself that I like proportions better when my tops are longer with skinnies - anywhere between covering the bum completely up to mid-thigh length. In this case I can wear them without boots and it feels balances. With tall boots i can go a bit shorter on the top.
However I am tall, have curvy bottom and very particular on the proportions thing so it may be just my take on this! I do find that gals with slimmer hips and thighs can rock skinnies with a regular length top much better (just look at Angie!)

13 years ago

Kari

Veteran

"Skinny jeans with some butt visible =OK
Leggings with visible butt = inappropriate"

Marie, that's my perspective, too. I like your concise summary!

Not to muddy the waters too much, but IMO where it gets tricky is when there are jeans that toe the lines between skinny jeans and leggings. I think that Meredith's outfits on this blog post are a great example of how to toe the line when you have a very slim-cut pant or jean, or a very thick "jegging" with pockets and jean-like features, but want to wear a top at a length that's appropriate.

13 years ago

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