Talk to me about skirted leggings... - YouLookFab Forum

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Talk to me about skirted leggings...

catgirl

Veteran

You all are making me want to be a lemming, but I'm trying to decide if they would really suit me or my lifestyle. I can see them working well with killer boots and booties. But do you feel like you are returning from yoga or way too casual? I think I'm more puzzled about how they feel than how they look, as I'd not wear a skirt as short as they seem to be.

Clue me in, Fabbers!

Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from Elizabeth P

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

They feel like wearing leggings. They don't feel like wearing a mini skirt. I think the critical point is that they don't look like wearing leggings.

I kept the ones I posted about from 8telier (short asymmetrical skirt) and the longer skirted ones from AllSaints, so can't address any issues wrt the Eileen Fisher ones. I am liking them with angular drape sweaters/ jackets. I think the look requires volume over.

I had a pair of skirted leggings four or five years ago from Athleta that I wore exclusively for exercise. I eventually got rid of them because they kept scooting down. I used to feel slightly overdressed wearing them at the gym.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I have a pair on the way, so I can't comment with any authority. But I can comment on my hopes for them... I tend to head right for yoga pants when I get home, or on weekends. Not tight ones, mine are more like bootcut pants, and have some room in them. So at the very least, I'm hoping that they will give me a more dressed up or interesting version of this level of comfort. And if they look good too, and I can wear them out, bonus!

I have a running skirt, and I can say that when I wear that, I feel like I'm wearing shorts, but much more presentable. Not like I'm wearing a short skirt. It's obviously totally gear, but I'm hoping the skirted leggings will be my winter version of this.

Time will tell!

rachylou

Veteran

I don't entirely understand skirted leggings. Why not just wear a skirt over your leggings? Or is that a stupid question?

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Me too, Rachylou - I was thinking of just wearing my short skirts over the same color leggings but maybe like Una is asking there's a different feel to them? More comfortable than wearing two pieces?

Elizabeth P

Veteran

That was my question too, Rachylou and Linda, but I was convinced. Firecracker had a post 2-3 weeks ago that this was discussed a lot. Also Gryffin... around Black Friday. I can't find the threads, but am just heading out so can't delve in too far.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Una, they work for me, because I wanted more options to wear with my long cardigans and vests, which I thought would be kind of nice with leggings if not for the fact that cardigans are open in the front. And the leggings with cardis and vests give me another way to wear my arty tees. So I would say the key impulse in buying them was having a wardrobe need I thought they might fill.

I agree with UmmLila, they feel like leggings, not a skirt.

Rachylou, one point of the skirted leggings for me (as opposed to wearing a skirt over leggings) is not having to find a skirt that looks right with the leggings. That is, not having to find another item to make up an outfit. And the other point is not having an extra waistband. The waistband on the Eileen Fisher leggings is as comfortable as it could be, smooth-feeling and -looking.

catgirl

Veteran

Oooh, thanks for the information. I will have to go back and study pictures! I guess my question is how the short skirt works with those longer tops and sweaters. Is it not covered up by the top layer? Because it sounds like you (Firecracker) are styling them how I would want to wear them. I may experiment at home before investing....

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Una, I actually do like the idea of covering the skirt with the outer layer, but not all of mine are like that. You still see the skirt from the front, with a longer cardigan, and I'm really liking that look. My favorite would be angled hems that cover part but not all of the skirt. I don't have pieces that will do that, though.

gryffin

Veteran

Skirted leggings make me so happy. First they are great for any tunic shorter than 33" 29-30" is perfect. Also work with shorter tops and long jackets or toppers or long cardis. Although karymk was rocking them with shorter layers, the above is how I work it. I also go quite work dressy with jackets like below. Something about 33" so it comes to the same level as the skirt.

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rachylou

Veteran

That's an interesting point about double-waistbands... much smoother you say?

cloud9

Veteran

I'd feel like wearing leggings, but I'd still LOOK like I'm wearing a mini skirt. Not sure I want to project that image as a mini skirt girl. I wear longer skirts with leggings though.

anne

Veteran

Una - no reason to not try this look out with a skirt or even a mini dress, as some YLF members have been doing.
But as it happens I need to get new leggings (mine are 3 or 4 years old and getting holey, despite my mending them), and I don't have a suitable shirt/dress so I thought I will try out a combined pair. And then there is the "only one waistband" advantage, which sounds good
Last year I often wanted to put leggings on after work, and constantly was looking for tops long enough to wear with them - my guess is that a pair of skirted leggings will help.

karymk

Veteran

Well I just love them. Not yogaish at all. Depends on styling. I think you should try. I can totally see you in a pair.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Una, you would rock them.

I would like to try a pair, too. Meanwhile, I like my substitute (dress over opaque tights). I am wearing it similar ways -- with an oversize or fluid topper (cardigan or pullover) over top of the dress (to make it look like a skirt), and boots.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think I am in the camp of people that don't quite get it yet (how is it different in appearance than a mini-skirt with leggings?) - but I am watching.

Missey

Veteran

Fit and feels like leggings, looks like you're wearing leggings under a skirt. Yes you can create the same look with leggings under a skirt but it "feels" like two pieces. The skirted leggings feel like one, making them even more comfortable. I like to wear my EF ones with an over sized sweater and boots. Nothing over the top fantastic, but looks great and is very comfy!

rae

(website)

Veteran

I get them in a sporty or cozy cadual look, but they do seem very causal to me because I am so used to them as activewear.

Echo

Veteran

I'm still on the lookout for a pair with a skirt a wee bit longer. I wouldn't wear a mini with... well, anything. So I don't see how the ones I've seen so far would make me feel comfortable (totally my own issue - not knocking them for anyone without my hangups!). I'm starting to think I could make them work if they were a bit longer, though...

Deborah

Veteran

Una, I have ordered an inexpensive pair which are yet to arrive. The attraction for me is firstly that I like the look. Then I am attracted to them because:

- one waist band
- perfect colour match between skirt and leggings
- assume skirt stays nicely in place so no fiddling with the two layers

Given I am short, I am expecting the skirt on the ones I ordered to sit around mid thigh length...we will see.

Marley

Veteran

I understand the appeal of them for comfort, as well as a different silhouette, and so I can see someone wearing them as lounge-wear. Other than that, I really don't get how this is anything more than a mini-skirt-worn-over-leggings type of look - something that has been around forever and something that I feel absolutely ridiculous wearing except in the confines of my home. Obviously I'm in the minority here on the forum and am really surprised at myself for being so closed minded about this look!

Gaylene

Veteran

Can you make room on that bench, Marley, Shevia, and Rae? I was putting my bewilderment down to my age, but it seems that there is a minority of us who are having trouble figuring out this look. This is probably a stupid question, but do those of you who are in love with your skirted leggings plan to wear them outside of your home? And, if yes, wouldn't that be the same as wearing yoga pants in public--a look which almost always gets panned on the forum? Am I missing some vital distinction here?

anne

Veteran

Gaylene. I had pretty much planned to wear mine for lounge wear , though lounge wear that might be seen by others. Imagine friends around to watch a video.

Anonymous

Ok, I'm a little bit of the same mind as Marley, Gaylene et al. Regardless of how it 'feels' to wear... ie. more comfortable than two pieces, the perception is still that of a mini skirt. I would therefore only entertain the idea of wearing the look if the skirt were no higher than, say, 3 inches above the top of my knee cap. I like to wear skirts above my knees, but wouldn't like to do thigh high.

Thistle

Veteran

Before you take the jump, Una, could you just try a skirt over leggings and see how it feels to you?

Given your profession, it seems a bit too casual for work to me, but then you would know best on that. It looks like a mini skirt over leggings. So that would mean casual wear, and I would think jeans etc. would rule there. Also, not very RATE for the times you would have available to wear RATE.

Thistle

Veteran

I actually have this look, but I got it from Old Navy's active wear department. I wore it to walk and take DD to the park (back when it was warm enough to go to the park). So, I may be biased.

catgirl

Veteran

Interesting comments! I guess I don't see these as loungewear per se. What I'm trying to figure out is whether the skirt is redundant when you are wearing a longer top. I'm thinking the whole point would be to cover your butt while wearing shorter tops.

So I did try this at home with a pair of leggings and a short plain black slip last night. I didn't feel as odd as I expected, but I definitely did feel like I was wearing a mini-skirt. I am NOT opposed to minis - they are actually somewhat flattering on my shape - but I do think it would read very casual. Like for wearing to basketball games or quick errands.

I am still very curious and would love to see any outfit inspiration you have pinned or worn!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

This is some of what I have been doing with them: <http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ach-and-kr>

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

UmmLila, those skirted leggings look great on you - perfect length, not super short. I'm sad that they are sold out on the AllSaints website. Firecracker, good point about wearing with an open cardigan and getting that needed coverage in the front. Sometimes the top I want to wear under my long open cardigans and jackets is not long enough to be decent with leggings..

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I liked the point Firecracker made a few weeks ago about them being almost like top extenders, rather than a skirt. So they add an extra few inches to tunic tops or long sweaters that are barely long enough to be worn with leggings. I think this would work especially well with asymmetrical hemlines, they'd fill in the gaps, so to speak. A real skirt I might be more tempted to wear with shorter tops, making them more skirt like. Hypothetically speaking, of course

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