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| Miracle leggings, Winser London |
When a video clip denouncing leggings went viral the Guardian asked me if there was a grown-up way to wear them. My advice? Opt for quality fabrics and leather (or faux). For my styling tips, read the rest of the article HERE.
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| Liv leather leggings, £339, Baukjen, available HERE. |
Do you have a strong opinion about leggings?
Yes, I do...I just don't like them...I don't think they look great on most of us, honestly...however the models here look fabulous! The first photograph is very chic...but for me, I'd never wear them. Off to read your article now ;)
ReplyDeleteI bought some Winser woven leggings (which I think I found via your blog!). They are comfortable and stylish and don't make me feel like I am trying to hard to emulate my teenage step daughters. I agree good fabrics are the key.
ReplyDeleteIf you have long, slim legs and wear good, heavy quality dark leggings you can look great. Anyone else should keep them for home or exercise classes. They do not make fat legs look slimmer!
ReplyDeleteOh God I have a mantra "Leggings are not trousersLady!" which I mutter every time I see another arse bobbling along the street and whats with the whole see through thing you didn't notice before you left the house?! But then I am a judgemental old bag. As Susan says good quality and worn under long is the only way to go.
ReplyDeleteLeggings are like the mini skirt, they are fine if you are thin and have firm young legs, but for the other 90% of us, NO, NO, NO. I agree with Jane in that leggings never look as flattering as a well cut pair of trousers.
ReplyDeleteHaving spent a number of years....back in the day....dressed daily in leggings and CHelsea boots....and having my dad refer to me as Max Wall (one for the younger readers....) I think skinny cords and jeans is as close as I can go now!!x
ReplyDeleteYour advice is pertinent to females of all ages. You are never too young to start reading That's Not My Age. Leggings and yoga pants can cause an involuntary gag reflex in this viewer because most I see in them are not fashion editors. And I am sorry, but the leather legging on most older women screams "pathetic old biker mama on crack." Waxed denim jeans aren't as noisy.
ReplyDeleteI'm 58 and a corporate lawyer. I wear leggings several times a week. Besides choosing a quality legging like Vince, the key is to style them with a top that covers the butt, and maybe a nice structured jacket. A big scarf. Short boots, flats or even a kitten heel pump. Everything else has to polished. This is not a "going to the gym" look.
ReplyDeleteI'm 61. Yes, I wear leggings (and skinny jeans). I'm 5ft 5 and very slim. I cycle a lot so I have well-toned legs. So, I think I look pretty good in them. It's not about age, it's about your figure. If you're fat, you shouldn't wear them. And no one should wear patterned leggings unless you're 3 years old. Make sure your patooty is covered and wear flat boots or shoes.
ReplyDeleteI have been inspired by recent posts of leather leggings looking pretty darn good on Lady of Style...but usually I agree with young at heart's father.
ReplyDeleteI love, love them for Florida winter - under a knee length skirt or dress. Feels like wearing my PJ's all day. xo
ReplyDeleteI've come to love them. Great minds and all that: I posted today about skirted leggings. :-) I also have a pair of leather/ponte leggings that are a favorite, and the Hubs likes them too.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't wear them. I'm 53, small and slim, but I just don't like the look on me - makes me feel like I'm trying to dress like my daughter.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do. Love them. Any kind any style, summer, winter, animal print, denim you name it. For me that is. What I am not sure about is the leather one, put them on and it made me feel uncomfortable. So sorry but I am afraid the advice does not quite do the trick for me. Other than that...leggings? Any time :) Love the topic Patti was kind enough to share. Will pass it on. xo Sabina | Oceanblue Style
ReplyDeleteI'm 56. I don't thinking leggings should be worn with short tops - not my style,. I love them with long tunics and have many with wild patterns!
ReplyDeleteYearning for a pair of black or choc. brown leather leggings -- and yes, I'd wear them -- and wear them and wear them -- at 61! and for years to come, at their price! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'd wear them with a top that came at least to hips. . .
I think leggings are a wonderful invention. So comfy and warm. Plus you can plop down anywhere and do a little Pilates if the mood strikes. My only requirement is that one wears a top that covers the tush. No matter how toned your bottom, it does not belong in the public eye except during Mardi Gras.
ReplyDeleteI wear leggings like tights - under a skirt. I'd wear tights more often if they made them in cotton.
ReplyDeleteMy question regarding leggings..is..why don't you see a older mature women wearing leggings? why is it only younger slim leggy women models? I really think only a few percent of the population can pull this look off.
ReplyDeleteI agree I find the Winserlondon ones the best, they use good quality substantial fabric that does not cling in all the wrong place.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the leggings issue is more about style (or lack of) than age, and I feel the same as Tim Gunn: "Leggings are not pants!" I wear them with dresses, skirts, long tunics. Never with anything shorter. When I see them on other people, worn as pants with short tops, it always looks as though they're wearing tights and forgot to put the rest of their bottoms on.
ReplyDeleteyes, I wear them. I just make sure I wear them with a top that covers my butt. I don't believe in "style commandments", I believe in wearing what works for me.
ReplyDeleteWhy wouldn't you......but leather or the faux variety, not if hell had me! Good quality, dark in colour, butt & more important lady bits well covered. Decent legs are required & accessorised appropriately. Good to go!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts on leggings are sadly coloured by the truth that I love them but do not have the legs for them. If I had great legs, you'd never get me out of them in this weather.
ReplyDeleteBut please: only black. With boots. And I agree about ladypart coverage. We are not trapeze artists.
There is nothing wrong with wearing a quality legging, as long as you are slim and wear a long top. We all see too many women that look like they are walking around in their leotards. Having said that, I don't wear them.
ReplyDeleteI think they look great on an older woman (i.e., me!). I have casual ones for the gym, and a nice pair from Stella McCartney about 5 years ago with ankle zips. A long chunky jersey, or a longline blazer and good shoes, and I'm done.
ReplyDeleteThe Max Wall analogy made me laugh, I've had that thought many a time hence wearing long boots today. So here I am in my patterned leggings (Jack Wills) and long denim tunic/shirt (Sainsbury's!!) having thought all day that all that's missing is a beret, paint brush and palette!! I have been so comfortable however and I am 5'9" so hope it is carried off. Definitely no leather going on below the belt if you are over a certain age - I would go as low as 35. And certainly no camels foot going on unless in the gym with your girlfriends where you can have a good old chuckle, so keep all lady parts covered.
ReplyDeleteI live in them, so easy and comfy.
ReplyDeleteOlderbutWiser/Annie/Lea - Agree about lady part/front bottom/camel toe coverage. Not a good look at any age.
ReplyDeleteI wear them under skirts, which are at least mid-knee, especially on my bicycle in the city. Always black or a very dark colour. I also cycle a lot and have well-toned legs, but I am by no means "very slim". Bit of size fascism going on here.
ReplyDeleteBut I've seen women much younger than me - and much, much heavier - walking around in leggings with nothing over the bum or the thighs. Not a pretty picture.
Moreover, not all women who are slim have well-toned thighs.
I think leggings are a very useful and practical garment, especially in cold climates. Today I'm wearing them UNDER my jeans. Brrrr!