Hello mes amies! Last night, as I was in the checkout line at the grocery store, I couldn’t help but notice that the gal two spots ahead of me had a fabulous little ensemble put together. She masterfully layered a white cotton tee with a long denim button-down and cinched her waist with a tan leather belt. Love this look. But what really gave her atuendo dimension was her black leggings with leather boots. She looked so cool, comfortable and stylish. Fashion Bravo. I then started thinking about the many ways one can wear leggings and decided I’d give you all the run-down today. So without further ado, I give you the Do’s & Don’ts of leggings.
DO: Layer leggings beneath your outfit. As our fashion subject from the grocery store so stylishly did, using leggings as a supplementary component of your ensemble gives your look a little more dimension.
DON’T: Substitute leggings for pants. This is an important note about leggings, my friends. As I mentioned above, leggings should be a supplement to your outfit – not the main focus. Unlike pants, leggings don’t provide the coverage (or support) that pants do.
DO: Wear tops that are long enough to cover your bottom. Because of the revealing nature of leggings, you want to make sure you cover your assets. Long shirts, short skirts and short dresses are all great options – more on these in just a bit.
DON’T: Wear sheer leggings. I can’t stress enough about the fact that leggings don’t provide the best coverage. If you want to go with something sheer, just wear tights – with a dress of course! For layering with your outfit or wearing beneath a simple long top, always go for opaque.
DO: Try different styles with leggings. The options for wearing leggings are many. Long shirts such as a linen button-down, an oversize sweater, or long tunic are great for a casual, comfortable look. If you want to doll things up a bit, wear a short dress or skirt with your leggings. As for shoes, flats, mid-calf boots and pumps all look great with leggings.
DON’T: Wear leggings that are too short. Unless you are wearing boots that cover the bottom of your leggings or leggings that go down to your ankle, choose leggings that end at the most slender part of your calf, or at least end just below mid-calf (these look great with flats!). Never wear leggings that end just below the knee, as this cuts your frame and makes you appear shorter.
DO: Wear solid color leggings. Black leggings are classic and look the best, but if you are feeling colorful and bold, stick with leggings in solid hues. Leggings that come in funky prints are OK if you’re a teen and under but, if you’re not, skip this option. Elaborate, dressy leggings that are bedecked in sequins are great for a night on the town but, remember, leggings should supplement your outfit, not be the center of attention.
DON’T: Be afraid to wear leggings. Perhaps you feel that you’re not the right “size” to wear leggings, or you are self-conscious about your thighs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look great in leggings. Just remember the basics of wearing this wardrobe staple and give it a whirl. You may be missingĂ‚Â out on some compliments if you don’t try!
Leggings have certainly made their mark as a wardrobe staple. I have yet to try the glitzy, sparkly legging trend (Hello, Hollywood!), and am still on the fence about jeggings, but I usually prefer a comfy and cozy pair of black leggings beneath a dress and cardigan with ballet flats. I feel so 50′s retro when I wear that! What are your favorite type of leggings and how do you wear them? Share in the comments below!
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