I was scrolling through my Instagram feed recently when I saw the following quote: “Drunk people, children and leggings always tell the truth”. Now I can fully understand the first two. I can remember consoling one of my mates after a relationship break up and drunkenly declaring that I never thought he was good enough for her, something I might not have done had I been sober. And Lyra regularly tells us the truth: “Mommy, this dinner is not nice”. “Nanny, you have prickly legs, like a bear.”.
But leggings? Leggings?! So this got me thinking. Have I, by wearing leggings all these years, been committing a fashion crime?
I can’t even remember when I started wearing leggings, I’ve been wearing them so long. They’re slimming, comfy, versatile, and you can usually buy a pair which are of reasonable quality for under £20. When I was pregnant they were an absolute staple because of the comfort factor and towards the end of my pregnancy I simply couldn’t fit into any other types of trousers. (If you’re expecting and are on the hunt for a pair then I would recommend H&M’s Mama Leggings).
When I’m in the office I will often wear them under a shirt dress, and when I’m at home there is nothing more comfortable than snuggling up in leggings and a chunky knit or jumper dress. On the weekends they are perfect with an oversized tee for running around after Lyra. I love the way they look sleek under my wellies and flash a bit of ankle flesh if I’m wearing them with my Converse. And there are numerous pairs in the sports section of my wardrobe.
Some of the images from Pinterest below have even convinced me that with heels, leggings can be dressed up to look slick and stylish. If the likes of Kate Moss and Gigi Hadid are fans, who am I to argue? I’ve never strayed from the cotton variety but Pinterest tells me that I should probably be more adventurous and maybe try some faux leather leggings, or these matt coated beauts from French Connection.
So my conclusion is that leggings will remain a staple of my wardrobe and that they are fine, as long as you
1) Cover your bum,
2) Avoid the flesh-coloured variety, and
3) Chuck them when the holes at the knees start to appear. Which they inevitably do.
Do you wear leggings? If so, what’s your favourite way to wear them?
{HOW TO WEAR LEGGINGS}
Mint velvet leggings are The Best.
(They now also have leather and faux leather versions)
Ooh will have to check them out. I do like a bit of Mint Velvet. X
I agree-leggings are great, as long as they are always long enough to cover your bum and aren’t so thin they’re see through. Great outfit ideas, too.
Having your knickers on show through your leggings is not a good look! Glad you like the outfit ideas. X
I haven’t worn leggings since pregnancy….where the hell do you find decent quality material ones?!
I am paranoid I will end up either showing my knickers to the world through over stretched bum material, that and I am not convinced they will contain the extra ‘wobble’ in my thighs….HELP
Oh and CAMEL TOE!!!
How did I forget to mention camel toe?!
H and M do some thick ones which I find are decent quality and actually quite flattering. And apparently Zara have some good ones. And Mint Velvet as per Sarah O’s comment above…? x
Mint Velvet ones are amazing. Super thick with a wide-ish waistband that feels like it holds you in a bit like magic knickers. They are £15 and last ages (I’ve just replaced a pair after about 2 years and only because of fading through so many washes!)
Think of the cost per wear! X
Have to admit I’m not a legging person. Never really liked them even when I was pregnant. Skinny jeans I can just about do but leggings just don’t suit me. Maybe I need to give them more of a chance….. x
No way, they were my saviour whilst I was pregnant. I know they’re not for everyone though which is why I thought it make an interesting post x
Completely with you Lottie – Have never liked leggings and skinny jeans I have grown to like, with the right pair of boots. I always think these things are best are slim legs not my 5’1″ ‘boy scout legs’ (as my family once told me)! The worst are leggings of poor quality though. Too many people wander round in see through leggings because the fabric is too thin – not a good look and does nothing to endear me to leggings!
I know what you mean Kate. See through leggings are a big no-no x
I love leggings! They have definitely been the staple throughout my pregnancy (and I expect the first few months once baby has arrived). But I’ve always had a soft spot for them. I need to dress fairly smart for work so leggings with an oversized t-shirt in summer or a wooly jumper and fluffy socks in winter are my favourite home option. Also agree on the flashing of a bit of ankle.
M&S do quite nice ones (non-maternity) but you can’t really go wrong with good old H&M I find!
They’re just so comfy aren’t they Maike! I also like leggings and flip flops…x
I’ve found White Stuff leggings literally last for years! And don’t bobble after lots of washes. Thanks for the H&M mama leggings tip – I’m due in November and thinking from October to the end of the year (and longer!) leggings and jumpers will be the new me!
Thanks for the White Stuff tip Sarah! Yes a couple of pairs of H&M Mama leggings got me through my pregnancy. Good luck with the rest of yours! X
This post has reminded me that I need a pair of faux leather leggings for autumn. I do love a skinny jean and I think leggings are a natural extension of that. I tend to wear them more in the cooler months as I think they look particularly good under boots, but I can see myself taking your shirt dress/Converse suggestions on board, Lisa…
Now, I’m off to the Mint Velvet website! x
I think faux leather leggings can look ace. I actually see skinny jeans as an extension of leggings because I’m pretty sure I was wearing leggings first! Yes a big fan of teaming them with shirt dress/trainers x
I recently went on a long holiday to USA and Canada and I wore leggings quite a lot as I found them so adaptable and they took up so little room in my suitcase. I wore them with tunic length tops and trainers during the day but could quickly throw on some jewellery and pumps for drinks at night.
This often becomes my staple outfit at weekends as the rush to walk the dog, needing an easy outfit change for the gym, and then running errands etc in the afternoon could otherwise be a three outfit day!
Yup they are so versatile. When I had a gap year I took a pair with me and they came in so useful. X
Just bought my first pair of leggings in years as am pregnant and thought I needed something to go under dresses whilst in the UK this summer where I thought it would be cooler temps than I’m used to. I didn’t really end up wearing them much as the weather was quite warm but they are very comfy and I’d like to opportunity to wear them again. Maybe after the baby is born when temps here will have cooled somewhat.
As for whether I’d wear them when not pregnant/post birth I’m not sure. I think you need to invest in some longer tops as otherwise they look a bit strange. Love them on the pics above though, have given me some more inspiration.
I think that’s it – you need to get the top half right in order for leggings to look good! X
Lisa this isn’t really legging related but I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your posts. I can’t say why particularly I just really enjoy reading them! So thank you X
What a lovely comment Stacy, thank you. You’ve made my evening 🙂 x
Leggings are great as long as they are thick and fully opaque! I have some great faux suede ones from zara which will be brought out for autumn (next week by todays weather!!) and looking for some decent leather look ones. Off to check out mint velvet.
Let us know if you find any Rachel x
I’m too tired to leave a long comment or rest the ones before, so here it goes: I love leggings if like you mentioned the top half covers the bum and they are not opaque! Btw, I like your style of writing, it always makes me smile, it is do honest and lovely!
Thaaanks Anja! I don’t know how I managed to write this post and not mention the fact that see through leggings are a no-go.
Comments from you lovely readers are warming the cockles of my heart tonight 🙂 x
Love this post. I heart leggings beyond belief as am currently post parfumerie and am in fat mamma land, but is depressing looking at all the photos that are posted as legging inspo as they are all super scrawny models. I knoll fan ion posts are but when debating a piece of clothing that as one says, leaves little to the I,agitation, would be great to see if there could be a snap that could inspire someone who was possibly a little more than a size 8!!!!!! Sorry if that sounds a lil negative bur I think leggings can suit everyone when dressed well, some great snaps could help inspire us all to branch out to well dressed Lycra xxxxx
*good grief must apologise, post partum not partfimerie as spell check may suggest