Need leggings help - tights/hose/leggings?

harmonica

First: what's the difference between leggings, hose and tights? The thickness and foot (with or without)?

I seem to be a slow learner and in my mind leggings are super... on others! Looks so easy and casual and comfy, but I can't figure out how to apply the look to myself. I need your great YLF eyes to help me see what works - if any - and why. Might need some other shoes though, i.e. black ballet flats.
All suggestions and comments are as always highly appreciated!

#1-3 different lengths
#4-6 tights, are these way out? can I wear them as MOTG or should I purge? other suggestions?

ETA: sorry for stained mirror! those small hands are all over (and I'm not), you know

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13 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from harmonica

Isis

Veteran

I like the leggings in lengths #1 and #3.

I also love the tights! But, in my opinion, I think a longer dress in order for tights, although this length works well with leggings.....

13 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

thank you Isis for your helpful comments!

Might it be that the length in #2 is more shortening than the others because it stops at mid calf?

13 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Hose are anything that are stretchy, cover your legs and are not pants -- i.e. they MUST be worn under another garment, like a skirt or shorts. In my book, the term "hose" covers woolly tights, microfibre tights, footless tights, sheer pantyhose (nylons), fishnets, microfishnets, and patterned tights. It also includes stay-up pantyhose that stop at the top of the thighs.

Leggings can be worn as pants, with discretion. They can look ridiculous with a short tight top unless you're at the gym. But leggings look great with longer tops that cover most or all of the bum, and tunics, which definitely cover all of the bum. Leggings are never see through (let's hope), and they are made of thicker material than hose.

One time my hubby showed up downtown with the kids, and my then six-year-old daughter was wearing woolly winter tights with a long top. He said Aren't they the same as leggings? You wear leggings with a long top, right? And I was like What are you smoking -- can't you see that her underpants are showing through?? Ah, men.

ETA both those outfits look great to me. The patterned tights are rockin'.

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are wearing leggings - always sans feet - and lace hose, because it's sheer and dainty WITH feet.

Tights are usually thick and always have feet.

13 years ago

Echo

Veteran

I think people sometimes get confused about leggings versus footless tights. Generally speaking, leggings are sold as garments either folded or on hangers, while tights and footless tights are sold sandwiched up and wrapped around with a cardstock label. There are exceptions, of course, and some leggings are sold that way, too. But in my mind if something covering the legs without feet is the least bit sheer, then it isn't a pair of leggings; it is a pair of footless tights.

13 years ago

Kelly

Member

i like length #3 best. the other lengths would work (your legs look stunning in all of them) with shorter tops.

the lace hose are great, but when worn with that dress i would go with a stronger shoe. maybe something with a bit of a heel in a bright color, or ankle boots if you prefer no heel.

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I think the length of the leggings all relates to the length of the dress or tunic you are wearing. In this case, I prefer #3 as I think it balances out the length of the tunic well. I factor in arm coverage as well. This tunic is short sleeves so seeing some skin on the leg also "balances' the bare arms.

I love the tights!! Don't purge. I would wear those:), but not with the tunic because for me the tunic is too short for anything other than pants or leggings.

Also a ballet flat would be a great addition for outfits like this. Doesn't have to black. Could be a red or a nice bold color you enjoy wearing.

13 years ago

jayne

Veteran

I think this tunic is fine length for the tights you have on. And i liked 2 & 3 best. It is your preference on the length. I see women do both here. i would pass on using the lace unless you have a longer skirt in perhaps an A-line, black, and want to dress it up for a night out.

13 years ago

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

I think you got lots of sound advice on what leggings are VS tights VS hose!

I wear a lot of leggings and tights (sometimes together?!?!) as an extra layer under skirts, dresses and tops in the colder weather here.

I think a good rule of thumb to use as a starting point in figuring out when to wear leggings VS when to wear tights or hose is this:

- Wear leggings underneath shorter tunics, tops and sweaters that cover your bum and have a looser fit.

- Wear tights or hose underneath skirts or dresses that are longer and can be worn with bare legs.

Of course, this is absolutely not always true, but I think it's a good place to start if you're unsure of how to do things!

Personally, I prefer leggings to be at the ankle, like you have in #1, although I'd try to go even a bit longer than that (where you'd have the hem of a skinny jean). I think this is the easiest length legging to wear and the most versatile.

I like the lace tights, but I think they're more for an evening or night out look rather than MOTG. One trick I like to do to make super flashy tights a little less flashy is to layer an opaque coloured tight underneath. This does require you to have a pair of tights other than black for your lace tights though! xD

13 years ago

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

I like the lace tights! So pretty!

13 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

Thank you for your enlightening comments! I am now understanding the difference between hose, tights and leggings.

Elisabeth, Echo, Jyoti - great explanations!

Angie - always spot on in a short and very understandable way!

Kelly - I love ancle boots, thanks for the input! I'll remember the length of #1/2 with shorter tops!

Deborah - always so great comments that make me understand the why it works or not. I see your point with seeing some skin. Coloured ballet flats would add a fun and summery element

Isis, Deborah, Jayne, Jyoti, Kirti - I'll keep the lace tights and will wear it with a dark/balck (A-line) skirt or dress that is longer for a dressier occation than MOTG. I think what you all point at, is that lace shows some skin, so it needs to be covered up a bit to be subtle and suggesting rather than tacky and too revealing. I love the idea of layering the lace with opaque coloured tights!

Thanks to you I have a starting point for working with leggings #3 got most love by now, so I'll go for that when temp gets up. Really cool summer here this year (12-16 degrees C = 53-60F)

13 years ago

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