How to wear leggings the grown-up way. Great article!

Aziraphale

Veteran

Good article. She's completely correct.

10 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Great article and great outfits shown in it.

10 years ago

viva

Veteran

So fascinating -- the blogger, the controversy, and the journalist's guidance on wearing them. I agree that fabrication is key to wearing leggings tastefully, especially (but not only) for women of a certain age.

And BTW, Yasmin Le Bon is one of the most beautiful women ever.

10 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

Thanks, lisap, this is GREAT. I have indeed been looking for ways to dress up a legging look (including finding the perfect pair).

One unspoken take-away from the article is: don't show your butt, right? BUT then I have a question. The first photo, for example, doesn't make it clear whether the front (crotch) area would be covered. Is it ever OK to reveal this part (as long as there're no camel toes :O) or does it always need to be covered like the butt?

This article also changed my thinking on leather leggings. I'm starting to see the point of them and to covet them. Wish I could afford those J Brand ones!

(But what's up with the lady who doesn't wash her pair?!? I know leather requires professional cleaning etc., and I don't remember washing my loose-fitting leather pants and skirts in the 80s, but a legging sits so close to the skin--just think, again, of the crotch and the thighs--that I can't imagine it doesn't get at least a bit funky. Or maybe she's the incredible woman who doesn't sweat?)

10 years ago

trekkiegirl

Veteran

Fascinating. I find it interesting that it's faux pas to show your butt in leggings, regardless of the fabrication, but not in skinny jeans which can be just as revealing. Or stretch pants like the cream ones I wore recently in my first Winter Whiteout. (I will admit I felt a bit self conscious in them that day, but only because they didn't fit perfectly and were sausage-ing my upper thighs)

10 years ago

trekkiegirl

Veteran

Oh also, I have some patterned leggings - one with very bright colors in a geometric print. I wear them to work with a long tunic and tall boots so they are visible but not prominent.

10 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I'm relieved to hear this because tonight I'm wearing velvet high-waisted leggings to a formal event. And they were cheap-o's from the flash fashion shop my daughter works at. Yes, they will probably disintegrate the first time I wash them, but until then, I am going to wear them and even tuck my top in.

Tr3kkie, totally agree with you - I don't understand why leggings are any different than skinny jeans. I think leggings are MORE flattering and less revealing on me than skinny jeans -- but concede that it is quite possible it's more about the "feel" of them on... I don't feel as confident in jeans (or any clothes) that aren't all that comfortable. If I'm comfortable I feel like I look good.
Also with skinny jeans you've got potential for pocket mis-placement ... creating a less-than-ideal rear view.

As for fabrications, I call bunk. I have found good quality at low price points, and bad quality at high price points. I think FIT is much more important than fabrication - if you've got camel toe or sagging at the knees or love handles, I don't care how good the fabric is! And it just so happens I tend to do best fit-wise shopping in flash fashion stores that sell clothes from asian markets, where the primary customer is petite and has thin legs like me.

10 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Am I a hippie prole (*body beautiful* and all that)? Leggings don't upset me. I don't care if old people wear them. I don't care if fat people wear them. I do care if you can see through them... But then we're talking stockings not leggings. I do think it weird if I can see your legging-covered butt, because you look like a ballet dancer taking a smoke break, but it's not that exciting. Or maybe this is all the unfortunate consequence of raising children on Star Trek...

10 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Great article, thank you. I read Alyson's blog and she is brilliant. I love my ponte leggings and wear them all through winter in both casual and office ensembles. I have two pairs in black from Target. In the mid price range and the quality is excellent...they are the best. I also have a pair of mixed media leggings from Zara and they are fantastic. It's all in how we wear things. I totally support leggings for grown ups!

10 years ago

Anonymous

I read her regularly too, Deborah. I actually just preordered her book.

10 years ago

Summer

Veteran

I think she is spot on with her evaluation: substantial fabric, plus adequate coverage. Yasmin Le Bon demonstrates the concept beautifully, but, of course, she is a supremely elegant and beautiful woman no matter what she wears.

10 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Whew, I'm back to agreeing with Rachylou. If you like leggings, in whatever version appeals to you, then, by all means, wear them!

What puzzles me, though, is why this writer's opinion ought to carry any more weight than one slamming the wearing of leggings on any female over the age of twelve--aren't both attempting to establish "rules" about what is, or is not, acceptable for a certain age group?

My still dissenting view has never meant that I won't defend your right to hold an opposing view--or to wear your leggings however, and whenever, you choose. Maybe it's time to quit trying to convince each other and accept that it's perfectly fine if not everyone agrees with our sartorial leanings...

10 years ago

Anonymous

I agree with Deborah. It's all how we wear things.

10 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

YES!!! Gaylene!!!! - sorry for shouting but the fact that we agree with someone doesn't make them right.

Just because someone tells you it's okay or not okay doesn't make it right (or wrong) either. Next they'll be saying just because I'm 65 I should be wearing classic clothes

10 years ago

Marley

Veteran

Hmmmm . . . I'm not one to wear leggings - but I say if you want to wear them - then wear them and enjoy!
Gaylene - my thoughts exactly about what makes one writer's POV on leggings acceptable - while another writer's POV is not?
K.M. - I think its a given that the crotch point needs to be covered - or is it?? (Perhaps that's my personal bias?)
Tr3kkie - I think that if you wear a skinny jean that fits as body con as a legging or stretch pants, that it looks best for the butt to be covered. It's the slouchy skinny jeans where it looks fine for the butt area to be exposed!

10 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

Marley: I don't know! (re: crotch). If the leggings fit well and decently over that area, would it be OK for instance to wear a hi-low hem? Or a t-shirt that ends a few inches above, and an open long cardi covering the back? I really don't know!

Also, I've been thinking about this some more. Is it the detailing? For instance, visually, if you see someone wearing leggings that have pockets (even if fake), grommets, a fake fly--do they look more pantlike and hence more decent with shorter tops? I have some Athleta Bettona leggings that fit this description exactly. I do wear them with shorter tops that expose my butt and crotch. (I take care that no panty lines show!). Maybe I shouldn't?

Conversely, I have slim pants in a thicker fabric which are almost as tight as leggings but not quite. But they have no details, they are smooth, no pockets etc. So visually they say leggings even if they are actually a bit less tight than the number I described above. I feel self conscious to wear them with shorter tops. ... ... ... Maybe I shouldn't?

10 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

Like, for instance, would you wear these with shorter tops? (I don't own them, though I would like to--esp. the herringbone)

Athleta

Gap Herringbone Sly Drifter Tight

View Info

Top Pick

1

Athleta

Gap Cozy Drifter Tight

View Info

Top Pick

2

10 years ago

Marley

Veteran

I would wear the Athleta GAP tights with short tops only if I was working out in them - otherwise, no short tops for me with those tights. But that's just me - and there are zillions of opinions on this subject!
My other thought though is - I probably wouldn't wear those Atleta GAP tights for anything but working out in - so the may not be a good example!
I am an oversized, slouchy, or fluid-fit kind of girl - so tights just don't do it for me except for working out!

10 years ago

Marley

Veteran

K.M. - how can you be sure that your leggings are going to stay in place around your crotch area (that is - decently) all day long? Other pants/jeans shift around or ride up when you wear them - why not leggings?
I've seen so many "exposed" crotches in leggings - that the thought just kind of makes me squeamish! Haha! I guess that I just don't want to take the chance!

10 years ago

old chic

Active Member

Hmm, I always cover my butt when I'm wearing leggings, but that's just because my butt is bigger than I'd like. It never occurred to me to ensure coverage over the front of fully-opaque, "decently" (no CT) constructed leggings, though. These nice leggings seem more formal than skinny jeans to me. Have I been committing a terrible faux pas with my long, curved hem riding jackets/nice blouse/cummerbund-waisted leggings/boots combos for years? (If so, yikes! I even wear these outfits to church.)

10 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

Marley, on your question about how do I know that the crotch won't ride up where it shouldn't... From experience! Yes, I see your point about this happening with some leggings. But my Bettona leggings are seriously miracle pants. They stay in place and don't ride up whether front or back (even though I have a round behind and my underwear and swimwear tends to ride up/in). They are tight and fit close to the skin, yet they don't constrict. The fabric feels like butter... That's probably the main reason I love them so much. It's like my UGG Classic boots: I don't commend the look, but once I put them on, I don't want to wear anything else.

The photo below shows what they look like (it's from an earlier post here on a casual outfit). I guess the crotch of the pants falls a little below my own body limits--if you know what I mean--there's a bit of space--maybe that helps.

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10 years ago

Anonymous

KM - and that's the way they should look and fit! Perfect:) I still like to cover both front and back - maybe because, like it or not, that is absolutely the first thing/area the eye is drawn to. But anyways, no debate needed - just an interesting article in a world where, yes, all opinions are valid and none should be considered "the one".

10 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

Lisa - great article. It's always nice to get validation. But the bigger question which lead to the article is doesn't it burn you up when comments for or against come down from on high? Gosh I get my "no one put's baby (or in this case gryffin!) in a corner" back up. The more they tell me I can't, the more I'm going to prove that I can. Maybe I'm just onery, like to be the outlier, or I just like what I like!!

10 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Gryffin, exactly my reaction--just from the opposite side.

I get my back up with articles like this giving universal "permission" by showing a few professional photographs of some gorgeous creature looking great in whatever is being opposed. To me, it's just as false and annoying as someone telling me something is off limits. Just because something works well for one person doesn't automatically mean the same will be true for another. Looking for validation of our own POV in these kinds of opinion pieces can be a slippery slope--for both sides.

10 years ago

taratuck

Member

Thank you for sharing this great article. Leggings are an excellent topic. I like to wear leggings with boots on the weekend while running errands. What are others thoughts about leggings in a business casual workplace?

10 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

Agreed Gaylene - that why I feel validation must come from within. When you dress with care and respect for yourself and others - the affirmation must come from feeling confident, appropriate, and at ease. Approbation is always pleasing but negative comments are just that - someones elses pov period. As much as it's always good to review feedback, at the end of the day only we can make the individual decisions about how we choose to present ourselves and when to consider feedback and when comments should simply be water off a ducks back.

10 years ago

AM

Veteran

Going to look up Bettona leggings now. I cover the butt but need some that stay put.

10 years ago

trekkiegirl

Veteran

Nothing personal, I can't stand that fit. (as shown in KM) for any of my pants. I feel like they are going to fall off at any minute. I think it looks great, and I've tried it, but the sensation is just too unfamiliar to me.

10 years ago

Anonymous

Gryffin - yeah, it does burn me up too when I hear what sounds like validation or the opposite (dismissal?) from someone who's opinion matters little to me anyways. I have always had a problem with being "told what to do" - by anyone and in any setting - which is a whole other story - and I figure I'm quite capable of determining what looks good and what is appropriate. I march to the beat of my own drummer anyways - and I'll probably and hopefully be wearing leggings and other dodgy elements when I'm 80. We've expounded on the whole leggings issue ad infinitum on this forum lately, and I'm over it. I just found this interesting - and further food for thought. I suppose maybe I am looking for validation - which I don't think is a bad thing. I'm not looking for it because I'm confused and unsure; I seek it out from time to time to check that I'm still on the track I want to be on. Kind of like poking my head up for air everyonce in awhile to get a taste for the bigger picture. Then marching right along as I wish

10 years ago

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