In this post, I am going to cover a very controversial subject. Fashion experts abhor them. Karl Largerfeld detested them. Go on the internet and any self-proclaimed fashionista will pontificate that women “over a certain age” should never wear them.
Look. I LOVED Mr. Karl as a designer. He was incredibly talented. And had I ever met him, I would go all fangirl on him–I could even dress like him for Halloween if I lost 30 pounds. But let’s face it. The man how abhored leggings and sweatpants on women looks a bit like he’s wearing leather leggings in this pic.
Leggings! 
I do not speak of the heavy woolen leggings we wore as little girls during the winter…
I’m talkin’ THESE baby! LEGGINGS!!!
Well, I say “pooh-pooh” (what I really say is not printable) to that. My wardrobe contains plenty of leggings.
I am talking about the stretchy ones that hug your legs like a long-lost toddler. That second skin that shows off all the bumps and panty lines. The ones that are disguised as “active wear” for influencers to justify wearing them outside of the gym—but you know those grifters wear them all the time!
We know you’re wearing those leggings outside of the gym. We know it. Influencer or not, this item of clothing is being disguised as “workout” clothing and activewear. They are LEGGINGS!
Now, I gotta take a moment here to write of my profound love for this article of clothing. Even though I don’t wear them in the summer, nor do they get worn in early autumn as it is still too hot, they are worn in late autumn, all winter and in early spring. I also don’t wear them when I’m flying overseas. Although, I think I just might begin to.
No matter how hot it may get in the summer, I prefer the maxi dress. They are comfortable and breezy!
It is merely the comfort level that has me transitioning into an old lady who eschews anything confining on the body. Seriously. I can rarely wear jeans anymore because I feel like a sausage stuffed into a casing. And don’t forget the overlapping muffin top. When I now wear jeans it’s either skinny ones that are a size or two larger or the loose-fitting boyfriend jeans. As I’ve gotten older, my wardrobe has gone from fashionable to comfort style and I am not ashamed.
Three years ago, I was wearing jeans like this. I still like them but I’m just not comfortable in the tummy area.
My preference these days is the “boyfriend”jean. Looser and more comfortable.
The thing is wearing them in such a way that I don’t look like a contender for the “I-don’t-care-how-I-look” competition. Fact is, I do care how I look. I’m not obsessed, but want to look nice for me. Because, and this is must my unhumble opinion, if you feel good about how you are dressed, you’ll feel a lot better about yourself. And note: I said “wear” as opposed to “style” because the “style” word is so over and misused. Throwing a scarf around your neck and carrying a purse isn’t styling. It’s wearing and carrying. Style is something one has. It is an innate sense.
Throwing a scarf on and wearing a blazer are not “styling” leggings. It is merely what I’m wearing with my leggings. I’m still not wearing socks though!
Anyway, leggings are practical. Gained weight? Wear an oversized sweater or tunic and a pair of leggings.
Wearing boots? God calves that aren’t Q-tip thin? Got normal sized calves that, if you’re wearing trousers or jeans, cannot get those boots zippered? Besides—when they do zipper over jeans and pants, the clothing bunches up and looks awful. Wearing leggings will take care of that.
These boots, by Chinese Laundry are at least 15 years old. They fit BEAUTIFULLY over leggings. Nothing will change my mind on that
Shall we have a look-see at the pragmatism of leggings?
I wore these leggings and this sweater in Paris last month. I know. I know. We are told to NOT wear leggings in Paris. I call bullshit. Wear what makes you comfortable.
Typical of what I’ve been wearing to work this winter. Leggings–especially with boots and a scarf because the hospital I work in has no heat in my office. I’m not kidding. No heat. I have been working slowly.
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Another work look. More leggings. Boots from about eight to ten years old. My Temu coat that is now on it’s second winter. A great purchase for under USD 25!
More leggings, Loose sweater and black boots. It’s now a uniform!
Also when in Paris last month, I wore this long trench from Temu. Who could tell there were leggings worn under this maxi coat?
Even lolling around at home or running errands. Leggings are worn.
Honestly, it isn’t what you wear it’s how you wear articles of clothing. Yeah. You can look like a slob in leggings. You can also look like a slob in a great pair of trousers or a dress or anything for that matter. It’s how you wear it that counts.
I’m sick and tired of influencers and the internet and social media and self-proclaimed fashion experts dictating what to wear and what not to wear. I’m exhausted in how non-professionals pontificate “trends”.
Leggings are fine. It’s all good. And don’t forget to wear that smile!!!
I wear leggings here and there, and exercise clothes for yoga class and aerobics, but never ever out without a long tunic or sweater that covers my butt and my crotch. (And I am slender, thanks chemo and cancer NOT.) They are far more comfortable than skinny jeans, which face it, eat up your crotch area many times worse if you are long waisted as I am. My skinnies are more relaxed, even my leggings from Chicos are semi relaxed. No one needs to look as if they are ten pounds of stuffing in a five pound bag. It is not comfortable. Tight clothing is stressful, and we have enough of that these days without adding to it!
Oh Susan so true. We DO have enough stress these days. Stress-free clothing is the way to go!
10 pounds of stuffing in a five pound bag – I’m crying over here, you nailed it!
I hate leggings and recently got rid of every pair I had in my stash. I don’t mind seeing others wear them, though.
I hate leggings and especially mind other people wearing them, because most of the people I see wearing them are the last people in the world who should be wearing them! Catherine, you are exempt from this opinion as you are 1) slender and 2) apparently always cover your derrière with a long top.
LOL. Thanks Elizabeth! Rule Number One. Always cover the lady parts and back parts!!
Hi Vava! Oh good. I’m glad you don’t mind seeing others in them. I’m thrilled with the feedback here. It’s fun to see that we can all agree and disagree like civil humans!!
I LOVE my leggings! When the snow is 20” deep who wants to be dragging around wide leg pants? High snow boots and away I go! I don’t wear them so much in the warmer weather because I found wide legged yoga pants on Amazon when I was recovering from knee surgery and needed easy on, easy off and easy wash! I always wear longer tops ( cashmere tunics) to avoid the ‘two cats fightin in a flour sack ‘ look from the rear! Also my leggings are THICK no panty flashing here! They are also good when on the floor with the grandchildren. In the house I wear fleece lined leggings from Lands End they are more ‘pant’ like and not super tight. Or some comfy joggers I found at Costco but the crotch pills. Go for the LE fleece lined leggings for warmth though.
I have recently transitioned from regular panties to longer length Thigh Society under wear, they are the bomb and you can’t see them under leggings. So tired of regular underwear gripping my groin area, with the longer leg style NVPL!
Bonus wearing with summer dresses no sweaty thighs!
HI Al, I have to check out Thigh Society panties. If it were up to me, I would go commando outside of the house. But I’m glad to see that you are a leggings fan too!!! Oh..and they ARE great when playing with the grandkids!
If leggings were so terrible, then they would not have stood the test of time. I’m remembering going to uni in the 1980s, in winter they were the absolute biz, no dangling crotch when you wear them instead of tights under skirts, jeans, dresses etc etc paired with thick socks… or for those with little legs no collecting at the ankle. Honestly I’m so over influencers and their desperate need to keep schilling junk at us, you show me an influencer pushing a product and I’ll show you my snarky response to any company dumb enough to buy into that, before I block them then leave negative reviews saying we cant believe their product if they are using people who havent BOUGHT anything.
Good thick leggings (fleece lined are divine when it is baltic and are quite nice for skimming over lumps/bumps) are fantastic. I will say, I detest seeing women (usually young and over influenced) wearing the ones with bum gathers that are supposed to hug their butt checks but show everything. Like you say, its how you wear them and wearing anything whilst blindly following others rather than doing what works for your body is so dated
I don’t know where the ‘no leggings’ dictate came from – Karl L apart (I loved him too, then he left his fortune to Choupette his cat, knowing what I know about people in general these days especially, that was a grand idea) That being said some yrs ago, I started wearing boot-leg leggings after the ‘ban’ 🙂 (Costco, I bought 4 pairs) but I always wear regular leggings at home. Now, however, I’m back to skinny leggings if my outfit calls for them. I was London for 2 months this fall, everyone wears leggings in all shapes and sizes and never stopped. I think it’s only here, that a couple of yrs ago, there was that no-no rule against them. No one abided by it though. If you observe folk here in Florida on any given day, a good 90% of women have them on -they’re practical, they’re comfortable and convenient -so wear them in heavenly peace 🙂
I love my leggings and still wear them! And, I agree…it sure looks like Mr. Karl is wearing leather leggings…maybe those don’t qualify…as long as you bought them from whatever house he was in at the time! Luckily, I have several pairs from J Jill that are pima cotton and, hopefully, will last a long time. I have even worn the activewear leggings under things if I get desperate. Besides, we all know who comes up with these dumb style rules…the tall, young thin things with thigh gaps! There are no thigh gaps here, and I don’t think there ever were!
Love the comentary on “styling”. They captions of “what I bought/thrifted and how I styled it” and then they show themselves with the said purchased sweater and are wearing it with jeans and boots…..wow revolutionary! I agree, that’s wearing it,not styling it. Just because you put an article of clothing on doesn’t mean you’ve “Styled” it.
I am a big leggings fan and wear them at least once a week. You are right in that they can be stylish. I really don’t care what anybody says about being of a certain age and they shouldn’t be worn. I call BS on that.
I wore leggings on a flight to Italy and regretted it. Looked really cute (I thought so anyway) but could not wait to get them off when we got to the hotel. Too hot and became uncomfortable. I now wear looser pants or a dress on long flights.
Good point! Pulling them together with a decent top, jacket and scarf makes it presentable. Thanks
I don’t wear leggings because I’m short 5′ 4″ and pear shaped (big hips) and they just don’t look good on me. Add a big top to cover the front and back and I look like a gnome.