Let’s just get it out before we start – I am at war with the world of leggings. That spandex pant that used to be just for lounging and workouts has made it’s way onto the Lansing stage with a vengeance, wrapping itself around college kids and grown women alike. Leggings are everywhere and I’m here to say that you, gentle reader, are better than them. Leggings are boring; you are not. Let’s have some fun with style this fall and stray from the expected into the fabulous.
Here are some ideas from the world beyond skintight cotton-poly blend:
Images from: Modcloth (2, 7); Anthropologie (1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11); Etsy.com – Janellehaskin (4)
The Skinny Cord (1) – pair with ballet flats, a hip length open sweater, tight tee, and a voluminous scarf to play with the balance of the slim pant
Tailored Cargo Pant (10) – military chic is the “it” look now, combine this pant with a lacy ivory blouse and brown heels for a strong, yet feminine look
Boot cut Jean (8) – skinny may be all the rage, but those of us with Michigan winters to look forward to understand the value of a jean that can fit some long johns or thigh high socks under it
Knee-Length A-Line (7) – a fall classic in candy apple red, with thick tights, a pair of boots and an army jacket, you’re ready brave whatever wind and rain may come
A Fantastic Dress (9) – now that cooler weather is here we can break out the thicker fabrics and darker prints, try a wool plaid with t-strap heels for a night out
There are so many options out there that leggings should be relegated to the gym, cleaning the kitchen, and sick days. Find something that sets you apart this fall and, like the leaves when stripped of their chlorophyll, when you’re free of your leggings your true color will shine!
This is my plea against Fashion. I am of the opinion that everyone can, and should, find their own particular look and that it need not change every season. I can like you no matter what your own style is, and you can like me even though my style includes leggings regularly.
(By the way, you are certainly allowed to dislike leggings… but I’m sort of puzzled why they are presented as they are in this article. You can be excited about new styles without slamming old ones, or so I believe.)
I am a dancer. I have great legs and they look great in leggings. They are comfortable and colorful and work with the tunic-length tops/sweaters I wear with them. Jeans have long felt uncomfortable to me.
I’m 52 years old (maybe that means I’m not supposed to read this article and/or have opinions, but that didn’t work). I have worn leggings and legwarmers for decades.
I went to Canada to buy leggings when I couldn’t get them here (pre-internet). I knit my own legwarmers when they are not “cool” so I can have good wool ones that fit, in the colors I like.
But the joy of being an adult is in great part the joy of being our true, unique self, with our own sense of style. The minute I stopped worrying about what others thought, I got more consistent from day to day. Others started knowing I was authentic, although different than them.
I have more friends since I started being authentic. Yes, even wearing my own style (knits, bright colors in winter… African and Indian clothes frequently in summer). I’m eccentric, colorful, passionate, and very uncool in some circles.
You can be bored of leggings if you want… there is no problem there. My style is not about the leggings, boring or not (mine tend to be hot pink or turquoise, not boring to me). And you are right, I have never been accused of being boring as a person.
The point is that I’m being *me* whether or not fashion thinks I’m acceptable. Last year I was working at Haslett Middle School and some of the girls told me how cool I looked (in layers of many colors, leggings & legwarmers. Another night last winter I was stopped by a woman at Dagwoods who told me how great I was dressed that night. I told them I’d still be wearing this style in many years when it looked uncool again.
When I’m old and unable to wear anything remotely fashionable, I hope I’m still interesting. Interesting should bring me friends and company long after I’m lovely to look at.
Pingback: Tweets that mention Fall Fashion – A Plea Against Leggings | LansingCollective -- Topsy.com
Agree to disagree! Leggings can definitely be a disaster if worn wrong, but the simplicity or what some may classify as boring, is exactly what I find appealing about them. I wear a lot of oversize cotton tops and while the only leggings I do wear are faux leather, they add a certain edge that corduroy or a pair of dress slacks could never do. A legging or jegging (I love those too) is comfortable, stylish and are quite versatile in my book, but fashion and personal style is so subjective. I’m loving item number 3, the jacket!
My latest post on my blog is coincidentally featuring faux leather leggings!