How to Wear Leggings

When it comes to fashion, styles come and go. However, there is one trend that is here to stay: leggings. Yes, leggings can indeed be worn like pants. The trick is to know how and where to put them on in style.

 

What are leggings?

Leggings refer to several types of leg covers. The modern use of the 1960s refers to elastic and tight garments worn on the legs, usually by women, such as leggings or tights. The 18th century usage refers to men's clothing, usually made of fabric or leather, that wraps around the leg up to the ankle. In the nineteenth century, leggings generally referred to leg wear for infants that matched a jacket, as well as leather or wool leggings worn by soldiers and trappers. Leggings made a strong comeback in women's fashion in the 1960s, taking their inspiration from the tight-fitting clothes of dancers.

With the widespread adoption of Lycra synthetic fiber and the growing popularity of aerobics, leggings gained importance in the 1970s and 1980s, and eventually made their way into streetwear. Leggings are part of the late 2010 trend to wear active clothing outside of sports activities and in a casual setting, which has become a controversial social norm in the United States.

 

The history of leggings

Leggings in the form of tight pants, a tighter version of the Capri ending at mid-calf or near the ankle, first appeared in women's fashion in the 1960s, and were worn with a wide belt or waistband and high heels or flat-style ballet shoes.

Leggings made from a blend of nylon and lycra (usually 90% nylon, 10% lycra) have long been worn during exercise. Lycra leggings are often called bike or running tights and are shinier than cotton leggings. Some have running stripes or reflective patterns to further distinguish them from sportswear and provide extra security. However, since the 1980s, sport-type leggings have also been worn for fashion and as streetwear.

Cotton-lycra leggings, or a cotton-polyester-lycra combination, are more typically worn for fashion, but are also worn as exercise wear. Cotton-lycra leggings are available in many colors, prints and patterns, but black, navy and various shades of grey are still the most commonly worn.

Wearing black leggings under long, often sheer skirts is part of a general fashion trend to wear sports or dancewear as streetwear. This trend has evolved along with the fitness craze and under the influence of the movie Flashdance and the long runway show A Chorus Line on Broadway. A more recent trend has been the wearing of black leggings with miniskirts.

In the early 1990s, leggings were more expensive than jeans in many parts of the United States. It was very common to see leggings worn with long, oversized T-shirts, sweatshirts or large sweaters, slouchy socks and Keds by young girls, teenagers and young adults. Fashion briefly turned against leggings in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In 2005, leggings made a "comeback" in fashion, especially in indie culture, with Capri length leggings being worn with miniskirts and dresses. As a result, leggings are now also popular to be worn with long, oversized sweaters, denim miniskirts, check skirts, short dresses and short shorts. Leggings are also worn under sports shorts, especially in cold weather. They are also available in Capri length and short bike length. The short bike length is popular under sports uniform shorts and under skirts and dresses.

 

 

What are the current styles that work best?

According to Lauren Conrad, stylist and television personality, wearing "leggings as pants" in the best, most avant-garde way possible is an art form. "Leggings, like most trends, can look great if they are made with taste," Conrad explains. "Personally, I love to put on a pair of leggings if I have to run errands, take a long flight or when I'm doing something active.

Conrad believes that a pair of classic, opaque black leggings is always a safe bet when getting dressed. She likes more athletic styles with ribbed details-like the leggings favored by Alo Yoga celebrities.

The bright colors and bold patterns that adorn some leggings are absolutely welcome in the gym, says Conrad. "When it comes to wearing your leggings as daywear, however, stick to simpler details such as zippers, bows, torn knees and other simple touches.

 

 

What to wear leggings with?

According to Glamour.com, there is a "time and a place" to wear leggings as pants. And if you really have to wear your leggings as pants with a shirt, the shirt should cover your buttocks - without exception! "If you decide not to cover your buttocks, there are a few rules you have to follow," says Nisonja McGary, a Los Angeles-based celebrity stylist. "Make sure the leggings you choose are thick and not see-through. "Also, McGary says, make sure the shirt or top you're wearing floats. "You don't want to walk around like you're going to a nightclub. Leggings are designed to be comfortable, so wearing tight clothes from top to bottom is excessive.

To avoid panty lines around the buttocks caused by more traditional underwear, McGary advises women to wear a thong or seamless underwear. "If you're very comfortable and the leggings have an absorbent fabric, you're good to go.

As for putting on leggings for work, it really depends on your job and the atmosphere in the office. If you work in an office with a formal dress code, it's probably best to avoid wearing leggings at work. However, if you have an occasional job," says McGary, "then go ahead and wear leggings. To stay professional, wear them with a button at the top and a blazer. Go for heels, because they look better than boots.

Above all," advises McGary, "treat leggings like skinny jeans if you wear them outside the gym.

McGary likes Nesh leggings (more than just black, they have rips or pure patterns that give them that cool "ripped jeans" look), and explains, "If you choose to wear leggings with patterns or prints, keep the rest of your look simple. Pair them with a long shirt or a big sweater.

 

Leggings for sports and yoga

Whether you practice a sport intensively or not, especially yoga, you should choose your leggings carefully. Indeed, the leggings must be resistant so as not to be damaged over time, but they must also allow for easy movement. Especially for yoga, an activity that requires a certain flexibility of the body, like clothing.

The fabric should also be breathable, to avoid moisture and perspiration.

Finally, it is better to choose leggings where you feel comfortable, to maintain postures for several minutes.

In short: choose a fabric that is elastic and sheathing (avoid cotton), that lets humidity pass through, and that is comfortable. As far as design is concerned, it is up to you to choose sober or flashy colors.

 

 

Conclusion

In fashion for many years, leggings seem to have many more good days ahead of them. Its particular style adapts to many outfits and it can be used in many occasions. If you like this style, don't wait any longer to get started!

Have you already adopted this fashion? Did you know that it can be used in a multitude of activities?