Isn't it about the setting? I see woman of all ages and sizes looking fine in bikinis on the beach, leggings-as-pants in casual settings, and denim at informal parties and events. What I like less are bikinis worn away from beaches, leggings as pants as office wear, and denim at opening night at the opera--and that poisoned eye extends to the young and fit as much as to any other age and size.

I vote JAileen's photo as most inspirational. I'll throw in some tight whites worn by Jimmy & Will. (I'll take a pair of their booties too).

Nope, don't like it. I don't need to see that much of anyone's booty or crotch, no matter how young and fit. My 23 year old daughter wears them all the time and I don't say anything (really what can you say to a 23 year old daughter?). I think to them it's very normal but I'll be glad when she decides to move on

I'm a rare Millennial who doesn't like the look. Too exposed. You can see every nook and cranny. Why would you want to show that much, even in a casual setting? For exercise and yoga, it's different. I'm also on board with leggings worn with long tunics. But I do not like leggings worn as pants with short tops. Everyone (regardless of age) sports the look in my area. My husband even comments on how inappropriate the look is (and he never notices fashion choices).

Yeah, I kinda feel the same way Robin does. I just can't really see fab in the leggings-as-pants kind of look, regardless of body type. I see way too many people wearing it in a careless, non-fashiony way in my neck of the woods to really find it inspirational. It just looks like workout wear to me. Which is fine for knocking around, I guess, but not a style that i find particularly interesting. In fact, I'm a little surprised it's not a bit passé at this point.

I do wear my running leggings out and about on an errand or two when coming to or from a workout. It's always totally obvious I've been exercising and I don't feel that bad about subjecting the world to my spandex-clad body, considering I make an effort when I'm dressing otherwise.  

Angie, Conan is awesome, isn't he?!

HE IS, JAileen. That photo made my day.

Leggings have become my favorite thing to wear, they are so comfy. I do wear them with long tops particularly following the cover you crotch rule.
I must say though I am not young or skim I have a pair of athleta running leggings that I think make my behind look quite nice

Not my cup of tea, but I see it all the time. At every age, size and shape.

All I can say is "good for Gigi".

Not my cup of tea either. But like Shevia I see everyone wearing them here all the time and at all ages and shapes.

It does not bother me, I am with Gaylene, it is all about context. Jeans or a skirt can be just as indecent. In a casual setting as long as they are fairly thick fabric I see no issue. Of course they can be unflattering, as can many looks.

I wear them for the gym and walking and the odd errand post or pre workout. I also have some black ponte pants/leggings hybrid that I have worn without a long tunic once or twice.

What Gaylene said.

Also wow, some of the comments.

Yess, my DD (18,5) can do it but still, it all depends on her settins, too!:-)

This has turned into a rather interesting thread! Keep it coming, ladies!

I agree most with Gaylene. This DOES work in some settings. I have seen some women wear thick ponte leggings with a tunic length hoodie (doesn't cover butt 100%) & sneakers at coffee shops or grocery stores and I actually like the look. Like it enough to do it myself, since my butt is actually pretty shapely. It's always charcoal or black leggings that look best. I'll wait until the weather cools though!

Angie & Jaileen....you're funny! Hilarious pics.....LOVE!

Btw - if you enjoyed this thread, now read THIS article - http://www.bustle.com/articles.....of-hearing

I kind of love it! Super fun read!

Great topic as my slim tall 14 year old wears them. I'm kooky she is still youn in a fashion sense. She wears them with tunics and denim dusters like me.

I think I just have a poisonous eye when it comes to this look on anyone y.

I generally wear long tunics with leggings but i do have some thick ponte pants in the skinny jean style. There are pockets on the back. I dont always completely cover my tush because of those pockets. Its a fine line I suppose. I liked that article you just posted Maneera.

Manny - do it. You would look fabulous and you do have a fabulous behind post a WIW when you do!

Hahaha! Will do, Roxanne!

I'm not really a fan of strict fashion rules. I've always worn white after Labor Day if I felt like it.

The leggings aren't pants rule never made sense to me. I wear leggings as additional coverage with toppers I would never wear on their own. Doesn't that make them pants? My waistband and lower belly are always covered, as they are in "real pants" but if the last inch of the curve of my butt cheek shows below my shirt, I'm ok with that. I'm short and wide and proportions are already hard. I've learned if I wear all my tops long enough that no one could ever catch a glimpse of my covered front or back parts then I look like I'm wearing a sack and all my other proportions are thrown off. So, I do flash a sliver of covered crotch or butt from time to time and I'm going to keep doing it, regardless of what the rules say.

I'm additionally against rules that say only tall, thin, young or beautiful people have the right to wear a certain look. I get it, our eyes are trained to admire model type bodies no matter what they wear, but I choose not to play into that kind of thinking. I think it is one small part of a bad body image equation and even starts to challenge young girls' (and older girls') self worth. The mentality that only the thin or beautiful deserve x is exactly why we have beautiful forum members in their 40's and up just now realizing that they are worthy of feeling great about themselves and wearing what they want, even if they aren't model perfect.

Sorry for the wet blanket. I know this thread was meant to be light hearted, but it did strike a chord with me.

I'm chiming back in here to clarify, for one thing, that I don't see all leggings as equal. There are some that look more like pants -- with zippers, pockets, and of course of sufficient thickness that you can't see VPL (or the lack thereof) underneath. I have some skinny jeans that I think were actually marketed as "leggings" but they fit that criteria and they're not glued-on skin-tight, so I wear them without the butt being covered. But then there are the leggings that you can almost see through, or the ones that show every contour and bump underneath them (TMI!), and those I think absolutely look much better under long tops.

I'm not a fan of the obvious leggings-as-pants look, NOT for any kind of body-type reason but because I feel like it's played out and often looks lazy. It seems to me like the modern day version of the sweatpants with Juicy across the butt. It's just something I see done every day and not done well, so personally it doesn't inspire me.

But whatever, I think people should wear whatever they please, and I don't want anyone to dress to please me! It's just not a look that I will ever seek to emulate, even if I thought I looked cute enough in my running leggings to wear them all day long to knock around town.

To clarify again, my comment was for me (re covering booty). And fabric makes a difference. I don't really care what others wear, it's just fun to discuss it. Well, as long as it's not sheer control-top hose as leggings as pants - which I have seen.

I am completely and totally against the idea that ANYTHING is limited to the model-thin, firm, tall and young.

Do I wear leggings? Absolutely!
Do I come pretty close to leggings as pants? pretty much, (with longish tops)
Am I tall, young or thin? No, No and No Freaking Way!!!.
Do I look fabulous? Why yes I do. and so does my plus size butt.

As a matter of fact I just scored a fabulous pair of sparkly, red lame leggings. I think I'm going to wear them to my next band rehearsal.

Traci - you make great points. More power to you!

Janet & Una - I understand just what you mean. We have established here - leggings as pants ARE OK for gear or working out (even brisk walks), and OK on young athletic bodies in casual settings.

I'll add another - I have worn thick, completely opaque ponte leggings (the kinds with back pockets) with a shorter sweater that didn't completely cover the bottom curve of my butt (but did cover crotch) and tall boots. Somehow, that kind of balanced out the look.

Anyone else tried that?

Desmo April ---- You Rock! Love your confidence!

I'm nodding to Gaylene, Traci and Desmo April's points. I kind of think that as a style, black leggings can be pretty oversaturated/omnipresent, and therefore a little less interesting to me unless the other parts of the outfit are fab. It can skew casual, but doesn't always have to.

But in terms of revealing the form of the body, I feel like that ship has sailed. Once normalized as it is among younger people now it's not like the clock is going to turn back, it's not likely to suddenly start looking immodest to the generations that grew up wearing them, even as they age and move onto different trends. And therefore it follows that all body shapes wearing leggings are as non remarkable as all body shapes wearing jeans and it can be a great look or not, depending entirely on styling. (Actually to my eye leggings avoid a lot of the pitfalls of saggy bootcuts/straights for example -- they almost always fit well) . Unintentionally see-through or flimsy clothing is a separate issue and looks bad on anyone to my mind.

Actually, I think they are okay for more than that... I've worn the right pair to work with tunic sweater and boots, or for parties. The Lysse leggings are a good example. I think the key is that they can't expose "anatomy" as my father would put it, either due to lack of coverage or lack of substantial fabric. If your booty is showing, it needs to be covered with fabric... I don't think that's being judgmental.