The Life Cycle of Leggings - is it nearing its end?

In this little clip by Jess Cartner-Morley, the Guardian's fashion editor, she mentions that leggings have disappeared off the catwalk, but because of how practical they are - especially in temperate climates like the UK - they are still very popular on the "High Street". BUT apparently it is the ankle length, rather than the cropped look that is still "in" rather than "out".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/life.....s-leggings

Do you think that leggings like skinny jeans and ballet pumps are going to become a mainstream fashion staple? Or are they on the way out? Are they going to be the look that dates outfits to the late 2000's?

What do you think about her statement about cropped v ankle length?

And are you like me and really want that little polka dotted press from Urban Outfitters that she picks about about 2minutes 45 into the clip?

15 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Louise

Veteran

Argghhhh I hope leggings are not dissapearing I'd have a whole slew of unwearable dresses!!!!

15 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

And I was thinking that I was just starting to see the point of them and might finally get round to buying some!

15 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

All I can tell you is nobody on the street around here thinks capri leggings are over.

15 years ago

florida

Veteran

I hope that they're not going out of style, because I was just thinking about getting some! I would hate to miss this trend.

15 years ago

Sparky

Veteran

Capri length leggings have to stick around as long as stores are full of dresses ending way above the knee. I think cropped leggings will be around for a bit since they are so practical ~ great for MOTGs under skirts and dresses, great as layering for cooler weather, etc. I'm not convinced they will become a new classic, but I don't think they are a trend that will fade quickly.

15 years ago

lynne

Veteran

Of course they are on their way out, I'm finally starting to like the look and am almost ready to try some! Maybe I'll just make a purchase and that will officially kill off the look. : )

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

Lynne.. you are too funny.
I vote we all keep wearing our cropped leggings and then they will still be "in"
After all, we are all official trend-setters here ;-0

15 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Queenie, I like that! I just discovered the look for myself and quite like it so I am not giving it up... at least until Angie and all of you stop wearing them

15 years ago

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

I wonder if this is a UK v USA thing as leggings have been reasonably mainstream (in London at least) for almost 3 years now?

Sparky - I think that was the point that Jess was making in her video clip. As long as there are short dresses around, leggings do have their place as otherwise most people wouldn't be able to wear thing. I also wonder if leggings are the reason why hem lines are still reasonably high as people are willing to buy them, a never ending circle I guess.

I also do agree with Jess that the leggings look is going to hang around, especially in the UK because of the lack of reasonably hot weather! It is almost July and I think that there have been about 5 days where the temperature has been over 25 C (77 F) and there have been plenty of days where it has struggled to get over 20 C (68 F).

Personally, I prefer ankle length to cropped on me, mostly because it for some reason makes me feel graceful for some reason. But I do like the cropped look on others and I can understand how they are practical, especially for MOTG.

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fi, remember when most fashion gurus around the world said that skinnies and leggings were a fad 4 years ago? They were so, so, so wrong. I think that fact is worth remembering too.

At Fashion Week in NY in February, skinnies and leggings were all over the catwalks.

Fashion buyers are responsible for putting in the fashion that we see in retail stores - not designers. Fashion buyers, having been one myself for many years, are driven by profit and sales. They will not stop putting an item into stores if it makes money for the company. If people keep on wearing skinnies and leggings (and in my opinion they will), they will not disappear.

You never see bootcut jeans on a catwalk. Still the most bought and worn style of jeans in the world. Casing point :0)

15 years ago

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Angie - I wonder what catwalks she was refering to then?

In posting this topic I was just interested in everyone's opinions on whether leggings are going to stay put, evolve or are we going to move on to something else.

Since your post and Julie's about the meaning of trendy over the last week, this is something that I have been thinking about. If your style persona is "trendy" - whether or not you consider that word good or bad - then surely you play close attention to what is on the catwalk? Do you consider ditching a look once it becomes mainstream so that you stay one step ahead of the curb?

I'm glad that you brought up bootlegs, because I still love them and I have been ashamed (not on YLF!) for wearing them over the last couple of years because it wasn't until recently that I have been able to find skinny trousers that have worked for me.

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Perhaps she means the London shows last March.

15 years ago

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