Comments on: Leggings: Still Not Pants

By: RSM

RSM — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:41:15 +0000

Leggings are fine as pants because they are comfortable. It’s time that we ALL wear leggings. Get over the fashionista and body image constraints and just wear them. You know you want to, you know they’ll be more comfortable than the constrictive clothes you wear now, that don’t give you the freedom that you want. Go for it. Enjoy leggings and wear them. Choose a well made pair - not with cotton fibers that bag out over time but a high tech fiber that retains its shape. Go for the comfort and support. Leggings that go to the ankle have a greater positive visual aesthetic than capri style that chop the leg. Plus the full length leggings support you from your ankle to your waist and give you an energetic lift. Laugh, Live, Love & Enjoy! Check out www.UnJeans.com

By: Jeanine aka MsChilePepper

Jeanine aka MsChilePepper — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 05:04:33 +0000

Oh, Crinklish, I shudder with you at remembering stirrup pants! Alas, their prevalence bled over into the 90s in a very wrong way.

When I worked with my Mum a travel agent in the 90s, she and I would often go to travel trade shows together. If the event was in Seattle, most of the agents were very professionally dressed, lots of cute little suits. But if the event were anywhere south of Seattle, and in Tacoma particularly, oh, holy hell! We used to play a little game called “Count the Stirrup Pants”. *eyeroll*

There was also a woman who worked as a paralegal in the law office in our building whose entire work wardrobe consisted of black stirrup pants worn with black high-heeled pumps, with satiny big shirts with shoulder pads on top. Every. Damn. Day. And her stirrup pants had gotten to that stage where they’d been washed so often, they’d taken on that greenish tinge that elderly black knit garments often have. Yeah, classy. :-/ At least she didn’t wear sandals.

By: Twistie

Twistie — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:46:31 +0000

I agree with those who say the keys are a) the understanding that leggings are an entirely CASUAL piece of clothing and b) correct choice of proportion when picking tops/dresses to wear with them. They have no place in a business setting, but are perfectly appropriate when worn with a very long top or very short dress for, say, a picnic or a trip to the mall or when lounging around the house.

They can also be useful as Leah and NtB point out in situations where an extra layer of fabric can make the difference between comfort and hypothermia but too much extra bulk would not be superfantastic.

Don’t wear them anywhere formality is important, and don’t wear them with short tops. Beyond that, it’s a matter of figure and personal taste.

By: Leah

Leah — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:43:34 +0000

I think leggings can be tastefully incorporated into a casual wardrobe. I like to show off my rather slim legs (and distract from my rather not-slip belly) but it’s cold where I live, and tights don’t always cut the mustard. The look that Jennie presented above is tasteful and functional.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:27:19 +0000

I think worn properly leggings are great for us larger girls. Maybe it’s because they are really popular in Europe right now that I am really loving them. I think the cropped ones look great with dresses that are a little short for example.

By: Crinklish

Crinklish — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:01:02 +0000

As a survivor of the 80’s, or as I recall them, The Stirrup Pants Years, I can only hope that your timely warning will save others from the years of scarring and unflattering photos that must otherwise end in therapy-requiring humiliation.

By: Angel

Angel — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:12:43 +0000

You wouldn’t catch me dead in leggings. Leggings are for pre-teens and teenagers (if even them). I’m smart enough not to saunter about in thin, tight spandex. Never flattering no matter what sort of figure you rock (cellulite or not).

By: Never teh Bride

Never teh Bride — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:06:41 +0000

Leggings are what I wear under my ski pants while attempting to look good on the ski slope or over my tights in the dance studio on extra cold days. Those are the only time syou’ll find me shimmying into a pair of leggings. No exceptions.

By: Tk

Tk — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:04:52 +0000

unless you happen to be a Thomas’ English muffin or that weird butt-implant chick married to Ice T

I laughed so hard at this that I spilled a load of coffee in the YUHJNM-key vicinity. Thank you!

By: caitlin

caitlin — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:59:58 +0000

Ugh. Leggings are dancewear. If you are not a dancer, then leggings are not for you. They are not cute. They are almost never flattering. They are not a substitute for real pants, despite what Lindsay Lohan would have you believe.