Ask Angie: stirrup leggings, how to wear? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: stirrup leggings, how to wear?

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Angie, you mentioned that you might get a pair of stirrup leggings, I was also considering this look. How would you wear them? What kind of shoes, would the stirrup need to show? Heels, flats? Curious and intrigued in regard to this look

Dressing

35 replies

Latest reply was from yublocka

Maya

Veteran

I love love love this look! I have been seeing it for a while now and I so want to try it out. The girls I see wearing them usually wear them mostly with flats, and some heels (personally, I think heels look silly, but I guess it's subjective), with dresses or long feminine tunics. Basically just how you might wear regular leggings. I actually prefer these with longer dresses because there is more coverage (with regular leggings, I tend to prefer shorter tunic styles). I would love to wear them with a voluminous sack dress, but that's just me (not that I own one). I also imagine they are GREAT in the winter because they'll easily tuck into boots and stay in place and give more coverage and warmth than tights.

The only reason I haven't latched on to it yet is because I find it very hard to get the right tunic/dress length. Most of my tunics are too short and my dresses are way too long.

Anonymous

http://www.sockdreams.com/_sho.....yID_72.php

I like the stirrup leggings this time around much more than the old ones from the '80's. These have more fabric on top of the foot. If I remember correctly the old ones cut off at the ankle and then had a stirrup to go under the arch of the foot, no fabric laying on the top of the foot as in this picture. They really are cute and I can see them fitting right in with your style GG.

Louise

Veteran

Phew, these new ones look much better i was still imagining the awful 80's ones! I was about 10 and had a hideous pair of hot pink ribbed ones! Thankfully no photos of those!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I think they would look awesome with ballet flats. That's how I'm planning to give them a go if I see a pair in shops here!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes, Jean! I want to get a pair tomorrow when I’m at Nordies with my very stylish 68 year old client – who is sporting the leggings look too by the way. But in the MOST sophisticated and sassy way - think Vera Wang meets Audrey Hepburn. She is out of this world fabulous. I LOVE shopping with her.

Okay, back to your point. I want to show my heel and vamp so that you see the effect of the stirrup cut. I guess I’m going to be challenged by the shoe part (like I always am), but I’m going to give it a go because this look excites me. I have not been very excited this season so I’m champing at the bit for a fashion challenge. I intend to try heels and flats – perhaps a wedge. I’m going to experiment with volume and sleek silhouettes. Frocks for sure! I shall keep you posted on how I do.

shiny

Veteran

I am. Just. Saying. No! To this look. I know you're all thinking I say no then I cave and try it anyway... but this just reminds me too much of a trend that I did to death already!

http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....G_0024.jpg

... even if it was comfy, practical, and sort of cute too...

(I even had maternity stirrups!! and for the record, that was early 90s and not 80s)

Maya

Veteran

OK, I caved and bought a pair from UO. I'm totally excited to try them. I wasn't going to get them originally because I didn't think I would be able to wear them with anything, but I think since they are longer than regular leggings, I want to give them a try with some dresses. Will report back as soon as they get here!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Please do report back Maya!! I was just looking at them on the UO website. There's a few other things there on my wishlist so I'd be very tempted to add these into an order. Do you know if they are opaque tights, or actual lyrca legging material??

Maya

Veteran

Tam, I have not seen them in person so I can't guarantee it, but judging by the price and description, I'm 99% certain they are proper leggings and not tights.

If you end up buying anything, use the code summer10 for 10% off

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I tried them on yesterday in a size small but they were too short. Too stretched out and not dark enough. I ran out of time but I hope to make stirrup leggings next week’s project. I’ll go up a size and hope that they work from a shoe point of view. They are nylon tights for sure – not cotton. VERY comfy. From what I could see so far, I’m all over the look. Really like it with a wedged heel. Vera Wang is my inspiration. She is 60. Fabulous:

http://images.google.com/imgre.....start%3D40

Maya

Veteran

Angie, sorry for the confusion: are you talking about the UO ones that Tam and I were discussing or something else?

The ones I bought are cotton.

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....8;color=41

Vera looks lovely, though she definitely doesn't look 60 to me!

HannahC

Ha! I too vividly remember wearing stirrup leggings in the early '90 all the time. Shiny, we were total style twins! I also remember them being not quite leggings-tight. They were more roomy in the leg and were kept taut by the stirrup. I had two pairs: black and dark green, and I wore them with big sweaters and ankle boots. So no, I won't be wearing them this time around. And I won't cave!

On the bright side, I did not wear leggings at all in my teens, but I am very cautiously starting to wear them now (as you could see from my challenge picture).

Maya

Veteran

Keep in mind that I was still a baby in the 80's, but...

From what I recall, they were called stirrup PANTS and not stirrup LEGGINGS. People wore them as pants, with shorter tops and not with dresses. That is why they were a bit looser, because anything else would have been too clingy. I actually had a teacher in 4th grade (well after the look went out of style, I think), who wore them every single day. The stirrup part was also this skinny little elastic band.

The ones I'm seeing now are worn more like hosiery under dresses. They are tighter and have more fabric at the bottom rather than that elastic band.

Again, bearing in mind my youthful stupidity, I don't quite understand the argument that if you did something once, you can't do it again...even when it is realized in a completely different way. If you don't like the look or it isn't your preference aesthetically, that's one thing, but I just don't think your style past should have so much bearing on your style future. Just my $.02

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That was precisely the point that I was going to reiterate, Maya - that the 80’s stirrup vibe was pants and not tights, as per Shiny’s picture.

It’s funny but I do not remember these being around at all in the early 90’s. But I TOTALLY understand that this is not everyone’s cuppa – truly. This look is fringe for sure. Noone will be forced to wear this look! But personally, I’m SO into the 80’s revival. I am absolutely blown away by how designers have modified and re-invented bad taste and unflattering fashion. It’s genius and I’m soaking it up like a sponge. And while I’m supporting the new take on 80’s fashion, I’m chuckling profusely at the same time. It's such fun to wear the improved version the second time round. It panders to my sense of humour.

Maya, I tried stirrups at Nordies and they were nylon. Like the idea of your cotton ones - but do they look nice around the stirrup part?

Maya

Veteran

Angie, there is a close-up picture on the website of the stirrups on bare feet. I'm not sure if that helps or not. I generally hate to wear tights, but I'll put them on occasionally. However, I refuse to wear them in summer. It's so, so, so uncomfortable. By the time I'm home I just want to rip them off. If the cotton ones don't work out, I think I'll sadly be passing on the trend. Nothing trumps comfort for me!

I'm also just morally opposed to spending more than $20 on leggings. I have seen a few pairs upwards of $200, and one pair over $400! It made me nauseous just thinking about it. That should be a crime.

HannahC

Maya - I am not saying that if you wore the trend once, you shouldn't wear it again. I am saying, however, that if looking at your old pictures wearing the trend makes you cringe, then it is probably not a good idea to wear it again. Right?

Angie - the stirrup pants-leggings in the '90s came in both pants and leggings variety. What Shiny is wearing in the picture and what I wore back then is more pants, but there was plenty of stirrup leggings around. They were made of the same fabric the leggings are made from, maybe just a little more stretchy. And the stirrup part looked exactly like it looks in the "modern stirrups". So if the stirrup leggings are back, I am guessing it is only a matter of months before the pants variety comes back too.

Maya

Veteran

Well, I think if the trend is different enough from what I recall. But like Angie, I realize this is not for everyone. I can see why you wouldn't like them because they don't seem to fit your style persona at all from what I have seen. I am anticipating some 90's trends coming back, and I'd give them a try again if they're refreshed and new (I'll pass on the bandage dresses and parachute pants though).

This is completely unrelated (well, sort of unrelated), but it's just so funny I'm posting it anyway

http://leggingsarenotpants.wordpress.com/

To think someone had such strong feelings on this subject that they had to start a blog with a statement of intent!

Debora

Veteran

Hahaha, Maya! Great link! To think someone is wandering the streets of NYC looking for pics of leggings gone bad. Soooo funny, I'm sending this to my daughter. She'll love it!

devin

(website)

I think I like the look too. I may have to hop on over to UO and see what they look like. I have some black wedges I think may look cute with them.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Well today I went to Sydney for lunch. Sitting in Chinatown eating dumplings (mmmmmm yum!!) I counted at least 5 pairs of stirrup leggings walking down the street so you bet I was determined to score myself a pair!!

All I could find was stirrup tights made of opaque tight material, but since its getting cooler here tights are on the cards soon. I promise to wear them one day this week. I'm excited!!!

Maya I'd still like to hear from you if the UO ones are proper leggings too, because I'd love a pair of those as well!!!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

What kind of shoes were the Sydneyites (?) pairing with their leggings?

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Laura I saw a couple of heels, but mainly flats. They were all cute little asian girls.

I officially have zero patience and wore mine today. They are comfy beyond words. No short-leg issues either. And althought they are made form opaque tight material, are *very* opaque and a lot stretchier and softer than my other tights.

I totally felt like I was flashing back to the 80s, but it was fun, warm and comfy. What's not to like??

Here's some end-of-day pictures. Please excuse the harried hair

Front on:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/3584453727/

Side on:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/3584456489/

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Tam I love the look on you!! I was wondering if they could be worn with flats and you did it!! I love the Vera Wang look but do not think I could wear heels like that. You are a risk taker, first to try the look!!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fantabulously delicious, Tam! I’m SO, SO, SO in. Hope they have my size at Nordies tomorrow! Wooohooo!

Vani

Veteran

Super awesome Tam! I feel comfortable just looking at you!

Maya

Veteran

Oh Tam I am so jealous! I wanted to be the first on the forum to sport this look :p I don't think mine will arrive until tomorrow but I'm pretty excited! They look great on you!

I personally prefer this look with flats. It's a dance-inspired style and looks more natural with flats to me. Heels aren't bad, but they are not my preference.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oh Tam, that is just SOOOOOO fab! Thank you for the photo. I am plunging in to the stirrups look, inspired by you. It is great to see how well they work with flats. Yay!!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Sorry Maya! Didn't know how long yours would take to arrive! We had a cold day yesterday and it seemed the perfect excuse to try them out!!!

I'm glad you guys give flats the thumbs up. I don't wear heels so this is my only option!! I like the side on view best where you can see the peek of heel at the back of the shoe.

HannahC

Tam, you look fab. Now I understand how stirrup leggings should really look in an outfit.

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