Leggings

[John_M.]

Maybe the best usage of leggings with some sort of skirt-like garment would have to be this lady who wore a white turtleneck with a black jumper and black leggings. She also had some cute low-heel or flat-heel pumps. Still not a fan of leggings, but this lady was very successful in a modest and cute look.

Black coverings make legs look better? I don't think so. I've never been fond of super-skinny stuff. And as much as I hate/sick of the '80s, I'm still not sold. I've yet to actually find someone who looks best in leggings without looking overdressed. It's an abominaion in my view. I still think the beauty of skirts are taken away with something like this. Or look back in the older days. There were times way back before any of us (except maybe our ancestors) were born in which bloomers were worn underneath dresses. Take a look at this website and its pictures (especially the top-right one

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomers_(clothing)

This was a true case of bottoms (besides undergarments) looking stylish with a skirt or a dress. In terms of pant-like garments underneath dresses and skirts, I'd take this over this leggings deal any day of the week. Or let's go back to around 1997 and favor flared stretch pants over leggings any day of the week. You can thank Amelia Bloomer for this look's popularity. I think leggings were still used, just not in the context of today's fashion. You can read more about how bloomers came about here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amelia_Bloomer

I'm talking about the 1850s with this sub-topic. Now look in 2006. I still disagree that black coverings look better, especially in the case of skirts and dresses paired with these leggings. I've always thought of tights and stockings to look better than leggings. A childish-look would involve wearing white stockings (opaque or not is your call) with a denim mini skirt with some cute black flats. That works. How about a knee-length skirt or dress paired with appropriate colored stockings and your choice of stylish footwear? That also works. But denim mini skirts (any wash) + black leggings + any color of Converse low-top sneakers = doesn't work. This should be flushed down the drain along with any cowgirl-themed clothing and skinny jeans. And last I checked... STILL not convinced about this look. The majority of good looks with leggings are with skirts/dresses/jumpers with matching leggings. None of this layering crap with mismatched colors.

 

[misstarshine]

I am not a fan of the calf-length leggings under everything look, but i am contemplating buying some leggings as an alternative to the long tops/tunics etc that i bought to wear with my skinny jeans. I think that they can look really good. I think one of the reasons lots of girls wear them is that it gives them courage to wear short skirts and dresses without having to be worried they will expose themselves.

 

[kiss&tell]

Long tops and dresses look good with leggings and in winter wear them under shorts and wear boots. I love that. =]

 

[misstarshine]

I like the look of leggings, shorts and boots in winter

 

[ibimus]

It's hard to wear that look well...if it's done right, I like it.
Personally, I can't wear it. I gain 50 pounds in spandex (the only time I've EVER worn leggings is to dance.) and mini skirts...ewww.
But on some other pepople, I do like it.
Kate Bosworth wears it well.

 

[John_M.]

That's the one thing I've thought of in terms of leggings under skirts (misstarshine, Post #602). And I'll admit that it provides modesty when wearing such skirts. However, it's still a horrid look. I've heard of pants and capris that have detachable skirts. That would be my alternative to all this. I still disagree that this is a cute look. Some ladies can pull it off. Just not 250 girls you see at the mall trying to outdo each other with the leggings under mini skirt thing. The look is horrible with denim skirts, even if you don't have traditional blue denim. I was reading a website last night in talking about why the 80s sucked. One of the reasons was fashion. As I said, I like the 70s in fashion. Chunky shoes, "elephant" bellbottoms, and that sort of thing. At least there was some sexy style to fashion unlike 80s fashion. Why relive a horrid fashion decade?

I obviously don't know my celebrities too well. So ibimus, if you say that Kate Bosworth can pull off this leggings look very well, why don't you put some pictures in a post so we can judge for ourselves if she wears them better than all the pretenders out there.

 

[Jadee]

That's the one thing I've thought of in terms of leggings under skirts (misstarshine, Post #602). And I'll admit that it provides modesty when wearing such skirts. However, it's still a horrid look. I've heard of pants and capris that have detachable skirts. That would be my alternative to all this. I still disagree that this is a cute look. Some ladies can pull it off. Just not 250 girls you see at the mall trying to outdo each other with the leggings under mini skirt thing. The look is horrible with denim skirts, even if you don't have traditional blue denim. I was reading a website last night in talking about why the 80s sucked. One of the reasons was fashion. As I said, I like the 70s in fashion. Chunky shoes, "elephant" bellbottoms, and that sort of thing. At least there was some sexy style to fashion unlike 80s fashion. Why relive a horrid fashion decade?

I obviously don't know my celebrities too well. So ibimus, if you say that Kate Bosworth can pull off this leggings look very well, why don't you put some pictures in a post so we can judge for ourselves if she wears them better than all the pretenders out there.

I don't like leggins either. I also think they're heinous with a denim skirt.
It's better when the color match your skirt (like Shannyn Sossamon in this picture from JJB) but I'm still not a fan.

 

[luvmelots1983]

I think Shannyn's outfit would be better sans leggings, as would most.

Although I'd like to see a picture of the shorts, leggings, boots outfit missstarshine was talking about.

 

[John_M.]

I guess what had me upset with this look ladies wore is that they wear this stuff in the summer and stuff. The look is still an abomination, but I was maybe thinking of something better. Is there a such thing as long johns (not named after me) for women? This look is more like leggings and is suited for colder weather. This would be the most acceptable kinds of leggings I'll accept in terms of wearing something underneath skirts and such. Oh... there is a such thing as long johns for women. Look here:

http://www.wintersilks.com/products.aspx?BRANCH=1~52~&dept=Silk+Long+Johns-womens+size

They are like leggings, but more functional. This is very suitable for people (they are made for men too. I even have one lone pair of long johns for when it gets really cold (even in hot-as-crap Houston). So what's the difference between something like this and the leggings most ladies wear? I think wearing long johns underneath skirts are the only acceptable legging-type bottoms to be worn under skirts and only when it's cold. These leggings that most teens and stuff wear, however, is more of a decimation of a skirt's or dress' beauty. Would sexy supermodels wear a minidress, then some leggings underneath the mini dress, and still be looked on and admired by men in my age range? Of course not. You do two things with leggings- (1) you ruin the beauty of a skirt. Even though skirts were once worn by men long ago, it's pretty much been a staple in fashion for ladies. A friend of mine has a long denim skirt that kind of drapes at the back like a woman's prom dress or wedding gown. I even joked that she was probably a princess for wearing a skirt that drapes on the ground like that. I even recalled when a lot of ladies in my age range and younger had pleated mini skirts. Nothing draws a man's attention to a lady like a mini skirt. These pleated minis were pretty popular among some ladies I've seen around my community college. They were cute and daring. Now imagine a few years later that ladies wear leggings underneath these skirts. Even if you're not the most attractive girl on campus or in the city, leggings can kill a good look. The mini skirt has been a key piece among ladies who like to proudly show their legs. Chinese Qi Pao and Cheongam dresses were meant to elegantly show off the legs. You're destroying the purpose of such garments by wearing leggings underneath like it makes skirts look better. They don't. Don't want to show off your legs with a short bottom? Don't wear such garments. (2) Taking such a risk really hurts your overall look. I have seen only a few ladies that can wear leggings and have a lovely (or at least interesting) look. So few can do it to where I'm actually drawn to their looks. My first rule of thumb would be to get rid of trying to pair blue denim skirts with mismatched leggings. I commented earlier that a look like this is kind of what what some ladies would wear to keep their legs warm in cold weather. So it's almost pointless to go out in warmer weather with something like this.

I'm sure with almost any feminine fashion, the question of "how will this look if I wore denim?" As we've seen with denim, it's been 90% miss, 10% hit. Denim isn't as attractive with most fashions. I still hate leggings with great passion. It still has a long ways to go in catching up with gaucho pants in terms of favorite recent trends I like.

 

[Uchina]

I only like them when they hit below the ankle. Otherwise it looks... mall rat.

 

[disco54]

i totally agree with you john.m , i grew up in the 80s and yes the clothes were HORRIBLE, i mean compared with 70s fashion it is . leggings can look good if calve length but again , i feel as a woman i like to high light my top part and love a looser leg, and on most women this is a more flattering sihlouette. Just ride out this wave of 80s s fashion , by next year fashion will be heading more in a 70s/90s direction again, as weve seen new york designers are loosening up pants ( YSL , marc jacobs ) , so the clock on the skinny leg is already ticking.............

 

[TheDesignStudent]

If I have permission tomorrow I'll post my friend Jennie Ahn's concept and illustration here, it's precisely the original question of leggings and mini skirts...

She sent me sketches this morning and we're awaiting restoration while my dot com is being repaired by the host and backed up...

She was the winner of the Women's Wear Daily highlighted competition I judge, featuring Concepts and Sketches and Real Clothes as mentioned by Mengly Taing on page 12 in WWD earlier this autumn...!

Love you Mengly!

 

[tatiana]

model/actress Ingrid Schram, with leggings in Paris. I think that's a dress under her coat, hopefully! (www.style.com)

 

[sharkey]

that looks really good, (especially with the black coat/leggins against the white) and its far away from the denim, trainers and leggings which i think is overdone and doesnt work that well.xx

 

[MarryMeTomFord]

I read in ELLE that leggins should end mid-calf. Is that correct? the ones i bought end almost at ankle length. also most of the above snaps are almost ankle lenght, as were the models in most designer shows....
I also saw one model (who ELLE said 'got it right') folding her leggings up to finish almost at knee lenghth. is that ok or do we just chop off the extra length?

also do flared knee length skirts go with leggings?
Help!

 

[disco54]

i agree mid calf looks more classy like capris...ankle length look tacky as fcuk and you end up looking like the ladies who play bridge at the senior center where the uniform is big sweaters with christmas motifs and leggings lol...

 

[nerdphanie]

I only do leggings because I like wearing dresses, and tights are a little dressy to wear to class. It's getting cold! I still feel a little self-conscious, though. I've only done it a couple of times. Sure are comfy though. I'm wearing a pair now under a sweater dress.

 

[Party_Vixen]

I need your expert opinion . I've held off from buying leggings b/c at first I was I wasn't a big fan. But I've converted. I only like them under dresses and sweaters though. So here's the pair I'm planning on buying sometime next week and the sweater I want to wear over it. All suggestions are welcomed .

So I'm not quite sure which colour I prefer in the sweater. I guess I'll decide when I try them on. Do u think both colours will look good with black or charcoal grey leggings?



Second dilemma: I'm not sure what either one of these leggings will look like? The first pair seem a little short and too thick. And only come in black. The other 2 pairs seem longer and thinner. Also, the crotch looks a little low? Both pairs come in charcoal grey but not black. The only difference b/w the 2 is that one pair has lace on the bottom, which I really like. Ideally I'm looking for leggings that hit my calf midway, give a bit on both sides.



ae.com

 

[xsavagex]

i like it midcalf under skirts but it has to be worn well to be pulled off i thnk

 

[sunshine daisy]

I think it's quite hard to pull of the legging look.. You need the right legs, legging length, clothing to be worn with it, etc.
I'd just stick to black opaque tights.