Q: Fave legging/long top combo? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Q: Fave legging/long top combo?

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

What is your favorite leggings/longer top look right now? I've been thinking about adding a pair of leggings to my wardrobe for the comfort factor, but can't figure out what look I'd be going for. Last year, I wore long, belted cardigans with skinny jeans/jeggings, but don't care for that look anymore. I tried it yesterday with a pair of workout leggings, just to see if I still liked that look, and I really don't.

I've been looking around but since I don't really know what I'm looking for, I haven't found anything. I'm thinking about going to the Nordstrom half-yearly next week. I'm pretty sure I want corduroy or plain leggings; I already have several jazzy pants.

So... what tops should I consider? If you've seen or worn a legging outfit that you love, please link! Thanks!!

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from pastrygirl

Kristin SF

Veteran

I'm not a legging person, so I can't help you there, but you got me at Nordstrom Half-Yearly. What the what?!?! Thanks for the heads up!!!

(Did you see that All-Saints dress from Angie's Finds and CF and K's WIWs? That to me seems like a very modern legging outfit for winter.)

Diana

Veteran

I don't wear leggings much these days, but I like short sweater dresses (like mid thigh) over skinny jeans or jeggings. I prefer more tunic-y looking dresses, like with not too much waist definition and a straighter skirt. Most of mine are handknit though.

ETA: Picture. That is an old outfit from 2 years ago and I'm actually wearing leggings. These days I'd probably wear skinnies or jeggings.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Yup, the half-yearly for women and kids starts next Wednesday. I actually have a nice budget to work with this time, for the first time ever! Usually I can only get things for my kids.

I did see (and drool over) those dresses, but I can't wear wool...

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Diana, great idea! I've been looking for a sweater dress but they are all too short for my liking. I hadn't thought about wearing them as tops.

Thistle

Veteran

Oooh, thanks for the heads up!!

As for leggings, I can't help you there as I don't wear them.

Dottie

I usually like a-line tunics over leggings. My favorite is one from Eileen Fisher which hits about mid-thigh. Since the actual length may be different for many, it may be worth measuring from the shoulder to your desired length and look for tops/short dresses that way.

claire

Living in Vancouver I wear a lot of leggings and rain boots in the fall and winter. I prefer some length and slouch in tops as I don't do body con at all. My MOTG go to's are Lululemon leggings/tights (matte, opaque and last for years), Hunters or Fryes and a loose but warm top like this one (my current favorite). I do realize this is way oversized for many of you, but it can be reigned in with a belt, although usually I do a striped tee under and keep the poncho loose and flowy. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but as a de-lurker I have a lot to learn and it's cozy! To dress it up I switch out the boots for black dressier tall boots and a sweater dress.

https://www.joefresh.com/Categ.....SW3348_008

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Crackers, that link is broken for me -- can you repost?

claire

Here's the link again....

https://www.joefresh.com/Categ.....SW3348_008

If it doesn't work, it's Joe Fresh and search for the Cowl Neck Poncho.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

That poncho looks great!! The look on that model is the kind of look I'm going for. I'm going to see if they have it at our JCPenney Joe Fresh. Thanks!

gryffin

Veteran

Ooooooooooohhh my favorite outfit!! I pair Danskin black leggings with all of the following: Mini dresses (several from AT shift/sheath) which I will top with a long blazer or moto jacket, Tunics - EF merino dress, EF tunics(the only designer I can find who consistently makes them). There are some nice sweater tunics on Nordstrom's site some that I think Angie recommended but I have not tried. I do like the long buttoned cardigan over leggings but it needs to be very thin for me - I have a Shin Choi black ribbed v slim fitting but not tight long cardigan with a low v neck, so I wear a pretty cami underneath with a hip belt. Long tunic with banded bottoms, if you can find them, thin and drapey with hip belt and long jacket. If you like "dusters" or long jackets and have the right fit you can button the jacket and go for the equestrian look. Assymmetric tops or sweaters likethe Joie Armelio but it's a smigde short on the sides so I would pair it with the EF skirted leggings or leather leggings. Also long chunky sweaters, like last years gap mock turtle neck (worn 2 sizes too big) with a long scarf and boots. Hope that helps. But I adore this look. (PS boots, boots, more boots with the above!!)

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Got the boots covered! I have three pairs of Fryes that I wear all the time in the fall/winter. I've been thinking about checking out EF, except that it's all merino wool now (I can't wear wool). I also already have sweaters two sizes too big and am trying to make them work, but I really don't like the oversized look on me (too many years of actually being plus-sized).

I should wear my one pair of leggings and boots to Nordstrom next week and see what I find! Leave no stone unturned. This thread has given me lots of great ideas. Thanks!

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I wanted to update -- it turns out I have some good solutions in my closet! I've held onto my favorite long cardigans that are now two sizes too big, but I haven't been able to move them to a staging area. They're not going anywhere until I find suitable replacements. Until now, they've looked horribly big and baggy every time I've tried them. But today I tried them with leggings and the oversized look actually works! They still look too big, but not bag-lady like. A few of my sweaters have surprised me. They used to not cover my backside but now they do, LOL. I do need to cover my backside in leggings, right? But not necessarily the front (as in a partial-tuck)? Or do I need to have length in the front as well? FWIW, the leggings I have do have real back pockets, but no front anything.

And my b/w houndstooth oxfords look awesome with leggings! I had no idea I'd be able to pull off a look like that. I need to wear the heck out of those shoes before the snow starts, because they are my most comfy pair. They are heaven, really.

Happy SYC experience!

qfbrenda

Veteran

Yay! Those sound perfect. Personally I like length covering me on the front and back when I wear leggings or form fitting ponte knit pants.

claire

I like length in the front as well as the back too. For hi-low sweaters or sweaters that are just a smudge too short, I layer a long tank underneath. Sometimes just that extra inch makes all the difference. And great that you hung on to your sweaters and found a solution! Picture?

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I went to the half-yearly sale hoping to find some sweaters or tunics that fit the bill, but found none. Instead I found a few great t-shirts and asked the SA for suggestions on how to make it warmer for winter. He surprised me by saying layering underneath. That's one thing I hadn't thought to do at all, even though I do it with my long short-sleeved cardigans. He grabbed a ton of things for me and I accidentally achieved that Elementary/Joan Watson look that I've been striving for! I'll need a longer suit jacket to complete the look; the one I tried was not good enough but really pulled together the look.

Here are some of the new tees with a long-sleeved underlayer and my existing oversized sweaters that I don't think look too bad. These are the sweaters I'm looking to replace someday, mostly because the shoulder area looks too big to me in person.

Pic 1 -- new tops with my old sweaters.
Pic 2, left -- new top with my old sweater. Pic 2, right side -- new underlayer and new top. I never, ever would've picked this combo out for myself, but I love it. I loved it even more with the flowy suit jacket I tried it with, but again, it wasn't good enough to buy.
Pic 3 -- high-low top that isn't long enough in the front to demonstrate the question I asked above; should I wear a longer layer under it since I'm wearing leggings?
Pic 4 -- same high-low top in navy with my old berry/maroon cardigan -- does it look too big?

This post has 4 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

ClaraT

Veteran

So, what leggings are you wearing with your cute new tops? It is hard to see the legs/shoes ('cuz they're black) but the silhouettes are great!
(I'm considering the Athleta Bettonas but would love recommendation from you. I saw the Danskin (from Gryffn) and Lululemon (from Crackers) suggestions above.

Anonymous

Oh my! I love the middle photo in pic 1!!! I am sure the rest are good, but I can't take my eyes off of it!

I think I would cover both front & back. Apparently the maternity tami's at Old Navy are awesome for legging coverage (read it at aintnomomjeans.com). Personally I like oversized with leggings so I can't tell if they are too big - they just look cozy to me.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

The leggings are from a local boutique, and the brand is Yest and the style is "Assia". I want to live in them!

That middle sweater is one I got a few years ago for dollars because I bought it at the very end of winter. I debated getting it since it was the end of the season, but I've worn it A TON. I'm glad I can keep wearing it!

carol3012

My idea for leggings:

-Get them fleeced so that they work for colder weather.
-Pair with either ankle booties in the same color (I'm short so it matters more to me) or tall boots
-Wear something long enough that it hits you at that perfect length above your crotch or at least can cover your butt (at least part way!)

And that's pretty much it. Here in NYC, everyone that's fairly young replace their jeans with leggings in the Fall. I'm not sure why, but that's generally what happens. You always see them stuffed in tall boots though, and for some, if they're tall enough, they look really nice in neutral boots or cognac. Sadly won't work for me though.

claire

The new tops in pic 2 - Love! Just the perfect drape and coverage. Personally I would feel a little too exposed in #3 without a long cami. What about a long striped layer underneath? I picked up a grey striped t shirt tunic at H &M that I layered under a too short top today, and I think they had purple and grey too. Adds length, sleeves and warmth!

ClaraT

Veteran

(Just a quick thanks for answering my question.)

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

carol3012 -- I had a pair of fleece-lined leggings last year, but they had a noxious smell that got worse every time I washed them. I haven't looked for another pair of leggings since today was my first time wearing these. I want to make sure I like this look…but so far, I really do!

Crackers -- yes, I'll look into that now that my eyes have been opened to the world of layering under short sleeves, LOL.

ClaraT -- you're welcome!