Leggings are not pants
I know this topic has been debated to death with memes, blog posts and tumblr, but Ashley and I were discussing leggings the other day and I'd like to bring it up again, just for giggles.
It used to be that only children under the age of 10 and jazzercise instructors wore leggings (with leg warmers no less!). But sometime after 2005, it became a thing for women, of all ages, to wear leggings. There are two reasons as to why women do this, that I understand:
It used to be that only children under the age of 10 and jazzercise instructors wore leggings (with leg warmers no less!). But sometime after 2005, it became a thing for women, of all ages, to wear leggings. There are two reasons as to why women do this, that I understand:
- They are comfortable. Leggings are the 'fashionable' equivalent of sweatpants. Elastic waistband anyone?
- They show off your 'assets.' Unlike baggy saggy sweatpants, leggings will show off those gams that you've been working on so hard at the gym.
I bought my first pair of leggings (black ones by Splendid) in 2006 and remember the experience with startling clarity, alongside other sartorial memories such as buying my first dress for a formal (still have it) or my first hoochie momma outfit (for Halloween in college - don't still have it). But before I bought them and from the safety of the dressing room, I called up my college roommate and explained to her in a panic, and inexplicably guiltily, what I was doing. In hushed tones, we had what I imagine is akin to a confession of sorts. Within 30 seconds, she absolved me and they were purchased.
I have promised myself that I would never wear any pair of leggings as pants, which I've noticed is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in NYC (draw what conclusions you will). And this is why: they cling to your every nook and cranny, frontwards and backwards.
If you are 5'11, weigh 100 pounds and have a modelesque physique, I would still prefer not to see you wear leggings as pants. Why? Because regardless of how tight your biznass might be, it's completely unnecessary to flash your UPA to the entire world. No, no one is going to die if you wear leggings as pants. This is simply a suggestion not to, much like it's a suggestion that you should not fry bacon naked. Most likely, the worst that will happen if you do wear leggings as pants is that you startle a few old folks and you'll be judged silently. I now love leggings as much as the next girl, which is why I've shared some of my favourites below. But honestly, wear a shirt long enough to cover up the vital bits, please?
I have promised myself that I would never wear any pair of leggings as pants, which I've noticed is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in NYC (draw what conclusions you will). And this is why: they cling to your every nook and cranny, frontwards and backwards.
If you are 5'11, weigh 100 pounds and have a modelesque physique, I would still prefer not to see you wear leggings as pants. Why? Because regardless of how tight your biznass might be, it's completely unnecessary to flash your UPA to the entire world. No, no one is going to die if you wear leggings as pants. This is simply a suggestion not to, much like it's a suggestion that you should not fry bacon naked. Most likely, the worst that will happen if you do wear leggings as pants is that you startle a few old folks and you'll be judged silently. I now love leggings as much as the next girl, which is why I've shared some of my favourites below. But honestly, wear a shirt long enough to cover up the vital bits, please?
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Yes, yes, and yes again. This reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend of mine when she found herself in Forever 21. We're (ahem) not 21. Her: "I kind of like this blouse." Me: "Abort! Abort! Abort!"
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA! Wearing something long enough to cover is definitely key. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.averysweetblog.com/
I HATE when people where leggings as pants without a long enough top to cover the lady bits. It looks so trashy to me. I fully blame Lindsay Lohan.
ReplyDeleteI need to have #3 in my wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteI find that most of the people who wear leggings as pants are the overweight ones...why is that?
i agree. i only like leggings paired with a long enough skirt, shirt, or dress.
ReplyDeleteWha?!?! But I like showing my bits!!
ReplyDeleteoh leggings . . . my best friend and my nemesis. because once you slip a pair on it is like the gates of heaven opened up. nothing in the world is as comfortable as leggings. and unlike sweats, i will happily wear them outside my house. in fact i have at least 7 pairs of leggings, all black because well, black is pretty much as far as i can go in the legging department. i wear them 5 days a week at least. BUT in my defense i wear them with boots and long tops. but seriously if i can't stand to look at my own backside in leggings i am not going to make anyone else do it! i love the triangle ones, too cute. . . on her ; )
ReplyDeleteMy rule of them with leggings is if my ass is covered I'm good to go. Long sweater that could almost be a dress? Awesome. Short little t-shirt that barely covers my tummy? Time to pull on some jeans.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree,I don't care how hot you are, I don't need to see every last little piece of you. Ew.
I cannot imagine myself using leggings as replacement for pants... It's ultra embarrassing... Especially the front. I won't mind people wearing it if they are completely flat on the front and curvy at the back...
ReplyDeleteI always wear leggings during flights. With a long top (to cover the bits), I avoid wearing a belt which makes it less of a hassle at the scanning machines at the airports. It's warm enough and comfy.
ReplyDeleteWell, let me offer a man's perspective...it's like you read my mind! Whether the sight is a wow or an ugh, it should be covered in public.
ReplyDeleteActually, a former coworker might die from the leggings trend. He's a pig, so it will be his own fault. I hated walking anywhere with him. He was an ogler and thought all guys should be. All you'd hear from him was, "hey, look at that girl in blue (or whatever color), hurry, look, look", often loud enough for her to hear. I don't know what his problem was. Maybe he never had a date. Telling him he was a jerk just made him laugh, so I switched to saying I knew what girls looked like, I didn't need to make them uncomfortable on the street. Someday he's going to walk into traffic during one of his creepy episodes. I won't feel any pity for him. He's one of those guys who gives guys a bad name.
Exactly! Agree. I've debated this with friends too. I don't know why some do. To those who do, please make sure it doesn't create a wedgie and wear it with a long enough top or whatever to cover up front and back bits.
ReplyDeleteI can't agree any more. but i haven't seen many peopl ewear legging as pants for a while, it was so big in toronto a few years ago. I have so many leggings i don't even touch anymore..
ReplyDeletePS--Don't get me wrong, I do notice and appreciate beauty in all its forms, I'm just not an ogler. While 15 year old me would punch me in the throat for saying girls in leggings should cover up (he tries to change my mind when a wow walks by, I have to stick to my beliefs and say no to leggings. :)
ReplyDeletelol, I totally agree. cover up the worst bits :)
ReplyDeletethis is such an amazing post, there is so much inspiration, love the pics!
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a great weekend!
thanks for sharing!
if you like we can follow each other on bloglovin :)
let me know!
STYLE DECORUM
I so agree with everything you say. Who started this whole trend anyway?
ReplyDeleteWren
Ha! I hear this, it's been a trend in London to wear leggings as trousers for a while now and I love it when they turn out to be just a little too thin and you can see their undies! Awkward!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree.
ReplyDeleteRonnie xo
p.s. They're great as maternity pants too.... (tip for the future, hehe)
Agreed. Although I haven't worn leggings in a couple of years - I just went off them at some point.co do fondly remember the comfort though...
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I totally agree. There is a lot of this happening where I work now and I wonder what prompts people to think they are pants? At least they are proper leggings and not tights.
ReplyDeleteOne person I used to work with wore tights as leggings {you may be able to figure out where this is going}. She also prided herself on still wearing things from high school which she was 10 years away from. One day she bent over and all her lady bits were showing and I was looking in her direction as was another guy at work. He looked away so embarrassed so quickly. I'm not sure that she knew this was happening but she wasn't a very nice person so I never told her.
I used to be in the ABSOLUTELY no category, until i got a pair of leggings. I made sure that they were opaque and wore 'em out. Ultimately, I'm not sure if I made the right decision still.
ReplyDeleteFollowing you back now.
I have never worn a pair of leggings before even though they look terrific on some people.
ReplyDeleteJust letting you know i'm hosting a giveaway at the moment, hope you enter: http://www.underlockandkeyblog.com/2012/10/flora-beauty-giveaway.html
Oh god! I completely agree. They are pretty popular here in California, too. There's ways to wear leggings... and WAYS TO NOT.
ReplyDeleteI have one pair of leggings and I totally get what you mean...the shirt must be long enough.
ReplyDeletexo erica
Thank you for this most informative PSA . . . so helpful! :)
ReplyDeleteI wore leggings in the 80s. Pretty sure that's enough for a lifetime. Also, my assets have since enlarged. So. It's the best for everyone, really . . .
Oh AMEN! So glad to hear that someone else shares my opinion and logic on this topic. I've said many, many times that leggings (or stockings as some people here call them) are NOT pants. In fact, here in SA, most people shouldn't even attempt the "skinny jeans" - unless they're six foot models. It really does look atrocious on many people who are not built for that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for clearing this up for me. I honestly didn't understand what was meant by the "leggings are not pants" meme. I thought maybe it meant all leggings are bad and were now a fashion taboo. But, really, it means don't wear them with your "biznass" showing. Got it. Whew, not breaking any rules over here. :)
ReplyDeleteOk ok ok. But, if you are wearing a long tunic or a long enough cardigan, it's ok right? (for the sake of the outfit I wore today...say it's ok)
ReplyDeleteLeggings are disgusting and should not be seen. Even with tunic tops they look terrible. Wear them under ski wear or under sweats for added warmth and THAT'S IT!! They are NOT pants!!!
ReplyDeleteLeggings are disgusting and should not be seen. Even with tunic tops they look terrible. Wear them under ski wear or under sweats for added warmth and THAT'S IT!! They are NOT pants!!!
ReplyDelete