Casual pants alternative: Leggings

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Don’t forget about this look. It’s SO comfy and versatile. Anyone need a refresher? Give your jeans a break.

Who is sporting the leggings look? Who is NOT sporting it? Let’s iron out the issues and get you sorted.

Angie
xxx

17 years ago

General

48 replies

Latest reply was from medusa

Antje

Veteran

Wait a sec. Leggins instead of jeans? Doesn't this require a tad more guidance, dearest queen of style?

I wear leggins with dresses and skirts. As a replacement for jeans this would only work with tunic length tops (or dresses), and is not for everyone, which I think is important to clarify.

17 years ago

Patience

Veteran

What colors work for spring? I do need more guidance too.

17 years ago

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Guidance for curvy hourglass/pear body shapes! I've tried leggings once and nearly cried myself out of them.

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

I do not wear leggings, but I'd like to give them a try, to wear under longish tunics/minidresses in the summer. My issue with them is that I have super skinny chicken calves, my calves are actually much smaller than my knees, and I am afraid that leggings would only emphasize that.

A while ago Maya suggested trying cropped leggings, which end 1-2 inches under my knee, at the point where the calf is the widest. She said this might visually add width to my calves. What are your thoughts on this Angie? I was going to give this a try next time I am in some store, but i have been staying away from stores since i am on a shopping ban.

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Yes Tanya, wear the leggings so they end at the point where your calf is widest. As a fellow owner of chicken legs, I can attest that this visual illusion works!

I love the leggings/tunic/dress look and never considered it as an alternative to jeans, mostly because I consider the look as more in the area of "dress, but with leggings instead of tights."

17 years ago

hanna

(website)

Active Member

i'm agreeing with antje - i wear leggings with a dress or tunic, and would never really consider them an alternative to pants... it feels odd to me! :\

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My dear lasses, OF COURSE only leggings with tunics, skirts and dresses. You’re an astute bunch. I’m assuming we know that :0)

Leggings can “act” as casual pants when worn with a long tunic. Think about it. It makes sense. Got to run and see a client! Will chime in again later. (I need 30-hour days) :0(

17 years ago

shana

Veteran

Nope, I have not done leggings this time around. I wore leggings quite a bit in the early 90's and it gives me too many flashbacks to that era.

P.S. Laura, I actually forgot to add leggings as one of my chambray shirt looks -large oversized chambray shirt, worn over a turtleneck, topped with a j crew roll neck or chunky knit sweater, leggings, chunky socks and hiking boots! Ugh, add a really broken in baseball cap and voila -you have a preppy ivy-league college look from the early/mid 90's.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Bad flashbacks from me too....

But I would love to see a blog on this anyway.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Oh, duh. Actually, I did wear leggings this past winter, on a few occasions. Paired with long sweaters, and tucked into boots. It was a practical matter in the snow; I put my smart-wool leggings underneath a pair of cotton leggings and it was nice and warm.

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I wear leggings but only tucked into boots, with a tunic of course (I'd wear them with dresses too but I have none). I no longer wear them "exposed" with flats. I just don't like the look on me anymore. I am constantly battling with making myself appear balanced and proportionate, which is no easy task when some parts of me are huge (chest and tummy) and other parts are teeny tiny (legs and arms). Whenever I wear leggings I'm afraid it just brings unwanted attention to this imbalance. I already know I'm going to be told that this is not true and I'm being silly but I won't wear something that I'm not comfortable and confident in, and this is one of those things. It is a marvelous thought though. It's sooo comfortable. Makes me wish knit pants weren't so ultra casual because they really do feel better than jeans.

Oh and I completely agree with Antje that this look is not for everyone. It's very trendy and a bit of a throwaway look. It can be fun but I would not work too hard at persuading anyone to try it if it's not their cup of tea.

17 years ago

Dani

Veteran

I love my leggings but I need some spring guidance on them. I've stopped wearing them as the weather has turned warmer and I was wearing them under skirts and dresses that would be too short on their own. I don't own any springy tunics...any advice where to look?

17 years ago

Kari

Veteran

I'm one of the people not sporting this look. I look very dumpy in leggings (it has the same kind of shortening/widening effect on me as cropped pants.) Actually, I look pretty dumpy in tunics too, so I guess I don't really need leggings.
The only reason I'd consider trying them is to keep me warmer when wearing skirts, but it sounds like micro-fishnets could solve this problem in a more flattering way. I've also considered buying a pair of ankle-length leggings to wear under unlined work slacks when I'm cold.

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Oh Angie I'm so glad you clarified. Honestly, when I first saw your post suggesting leggings as an alternative to jeans (without specifying the kind of top) I thought it was April's Fools. I always thought wearing leggings with regular sized pants tops was right up there with IPL (imperfect pants length.)

The world is right again.

17 years ago

BlondeAmbition

Active Member

I'd love to wear leggings with my new Puma berlin boots but don't know how to pull it off. I'm an hourglass size 16, and I'm scared to death of trying out tunics or anything else meant for skinny girls!

17 years ago

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I would love to know how short a tunic can be to get away with just leggings instead of jeans. There are some short dresses that I love but would never wear with bare legs. I love the look and comfort of leggings and would wear them often.

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Hi BlondeAmbition, tunics are not just for skinny girls! It's all a matter of finding the right tunic - in a flattering cut that works for your body type, and the right length. Don't be afraid of trying it out! If you have specific tunics in mind, maybe just try one on and post a picture, and we can help with feedback and suggestions.

17 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I love wearing leggings with dresses, skirts and tunic tops! So comfy,and great for in between weather.

Greenglove I am sure your too-short dresses would look great with leggings. They provide that extra bit of coverage that tights don't!

17 years ago

lala

Active Member

Ladies - where would I find leggings? I've looked at Gap, BR, ATL and no luck...Any advice?

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Lala, you can find leggings in any hosiery department. I have some from Hue, and of course there is always Spanx!

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Lala, BR does have leggings but I think they're only available online:

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....submit.y=0

Also try the BP department at Nordies. I found my white leggings there. I prefer actual leggings that are a thicker knit fabric, as opposed to footless tights which are just pantyhose and don't give as much coverage. They are much more comfy and feel like knit pants but aren't as sloppy.

17 years ago

lala

Active Member

Thanks Laura and Maya - I've been shopping in the wrong department!!! And the leggings that I've found were like footless pantyhose - like you, Maya, I wanted a thicker knit (I guess like the ones I wore in the early to mid-90's!)

OK - here's another question, can I really pull off the legging look with a tunic dress (Tory Burch dress) so I can get more seasonal milage out of it? I'm in my early 40's. I usually live by the saying "if you wore it the first time around, DON'T wear it the second time!"

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Express has leggings as well.

17 years ago

Ariadne

Veteran

Lala, give it a try and post pictures. I think this look is great on any age. It's all about how you wear it. I'm guessing if you're wearing a Tory Burch dress you aren't going to look silly at all.

I love leggings (it took me a while to come around, but when I did, I really did) and have worn a black microfibre pair that are actually long underwear (I got them at Mark's Work Wearhouse, for the Canadians in the house--$20 per pair) all winter long under dresses, with boots. Yesterday I wore an oversized grey turtleneck sweater over them with my brown Frye Paige boots. It was so comfortable, cute, and warm.

In the spring and summer I love leggings with tunics or dresses and flats or sandals. They're great for spring especially because they add extra warmth.

My rule for tunics and dresses is that they must cover my cheeks completely when standing and when i bend over (this depends a bit on the amount of volume in the skirt and how loose or tight it is--looser or more voluminous skirts or tunics leave a bit more wiggle room). I do not want to leave the house looking like I forgot my pants. That's my biggest fashion pet peeve!

17 years ago

NCyogini

Active Member

The only way I have figured out to wear mine is with that purple Express dress and a BF cardi. All my other dresses are too long, or too light and summery. I haven't found a good tunic top yet-- I think I'll put it on my list for fall!

17 years ago

Lena

Active Member

At first I was very apprehensive about leggings. I still shudder when I remember the 90s look Shana described: leggings, chunky socks, ill fitting sweater, turtleneck. Yikes.

Then Angie's enthusiasm convinced me to give them another try. I started wearing them around the house instead of lounge pants and later with a knee length denim skirt. This winter I scored a lovely dark green cotton tunic from Esprit (probably my favorite find this winter) just for leggings wear (and maybe skinny denim). And that's been my casual uniform for the first two weeks after my surgery (my belly didn't appreciate anything more constricting, even hose).

Right now I'm looking for new pairs, both long and cropped.

17 years ago

GoXtina

(website)

Active Member

I wear leggings a few times this year and I agree it's so comfortable, especially worn under long tunic. I went to belly dance class with my outfit and I felt so comfortable... Of course... They are yoga pants. Some girls in my college wear them as pants and I really hate this look.

I bought mine at a Giordano in Macau. The fabric is much better and softer than the ones sold in Canadian stores.

17 years ago

Anonymous

I'm another not sporting this look. I haven't tried very hard because I guess it seems like a look for younger women. A couple of aquaintances wore this look last winter/spring and they probably did it right but my eye never adjusted to it. I can understand it tucked into boots but haven't found the right pieces. Tutoring and visuals from you might convince me.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Before I go into more detail, does anyone remember these posts?

http://youlookfab.com/2007/07/.....o-spend-7/

http://youlookfab.com/2007/08/.....-leggings/

Tanya, I have skinny calves too. Leggings give my calves shape if I place the hem right in the middle of my calf. You should experiment with Maya’s suggestion as well. I sometimes wear them that length too. SO comfy. Please give them a try when budget allows.

Shana and Antje, you crack me up.

I’m not going to persuade anyone to wear this look. It’s got to work for you and you need to like it. I’m merely reminding you that the look is there when you're sick of jeans. It’s practical, comfortable, affordable and worth a go if you haven’t already done so. Leggings can be a fab little look.

17 years ago

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