Convince me about leggings

[purplepeony]

I first wore them about 20 years back (Laura Ashley flowery ones and Ts or sloppy jumpers) and when I look at photos I think "Yuck"! I am petite and sloppy jumpers etc dwarf me.

I amnow a 50-something but a size 8-10 and people who don't know my age think I am early 40s, which is nice, so I don't look or dress like a typical 50 yr old- if there is such a thing.

However, I am lusting after a nice merino empire line tunic at the White Company but am not sure ...

and if you DO wearleggings in the winter what do you do about a coat? Full length t o the knee, or jackets, or what?

I didn't wear them first time arround[because i thought my legs were too chunky -then size 8].Now i am size 12/14 i am wearing them.But always with knee or over the knee length boots.I resolutely refuse to wear leggings in summer.Can you not order the tunic and then try on with some plain leggings and boots.Then see how you feel!.M&S basic leggings i find really good and more comfortable than wearing tights.Any coat needs to be at least the same length as tunic/dress to look right.I bought a couple of Italian ones in TK Maxx last year [one down and one wool duffel].Good luck!.

Yes, I think trying is the only way. I have got skinny-ish legs....

I still have a 20% discount for Boden as I am exchanging a preview jacket so might order theirs- £19 minus 20%.

I suppose I don't want to look mutton as lamb and look as if I am wearing a mini dress, but yesterday I saw a woman in London wearing leggings and tunic and over knee boots and she was older than me and looked great.

I also saw a photo of Joanna Lumley in some and she's 64.

I have always loved leggings, they make dresses and skirts doable for me when the weather or life demands are not suitable.

I have two 'parka' style coats that IMO make them wearable with coats. There are some gorgeous parkers, which can be dressed down with slochy BijkerBoots or up with noce fitted boots.

I don't get the age issue. I have a sort of shorts dress on today (might sound but is very pretty and floaty) Black leggings and a hoody. Ugg style boots. It's a look I like Redoute do some great Leggings IMO that are very versatile.

Isabella Oliver leggins (365 collection) are lovely they have a high waist that doesn't cut you in half and are lovely and long and don't shrink i the wash. They only come in black though and are more expensive than some.

This might just be me but I generally buy a size up from that which I need so they are not skin tight and revealing every flaw. They are not then 'baggy' but just don't cling quite so unforgivingly.

So do you just wear a tunic or longer jersey with leggings? I have some lovely boots but don't really like the tucked in jeans style.

No neither do I. I always look like the pantomime cat. I have chunky thighs, so tend to wear things that are just a few inches above the knee and with long liwww.laredoute.co.uk/ellos-2-2-rib-knit-leggings.htm?ProductId=324186035&t=6ne cardigans.
I suppose this is sort of my look and I do love lttle petticoats .

Purple ... we meet again !! Have a collection of White Comany bags on my bedroom floor whilst I try out the tunic, leggings and boots look. First thing I'll say is that I too ordered Boden leggings and found them too baggy on my skinny pins so order down a size!

Which tunic are you thinking of? this is gorgeous - such lovely quality. Have it out in both colours but worried about my tummy.

this is nice too but, personally, am worried that it's a bit long-jumper like as opposed to dress-tunic which is what i like. It nips in at the hem IWKWIM.

Finally, www.thewhitecompany.com/productdetails.aspx?Id=1000817&ItemNo=JECDU&SelectedItem=JECDU this is too smock like - ugh.

I do wish they'd stop getting new stock in cos every time I look, I see something else - like this.

I bought a lovely coat from Comptoir des Cotonniers yesterday so am now going to try said tunics on with leggings/tights/boots to decide which to keep, then the rest go back in the mail!

Keep us posted & happy shopping!

op- I too am 50, and wear legging in winter- have just bought dark grey in M & s.
I wear them with long tunics and riding boots, and look good
I have a purple knee length coat to cover tunics, or a long knitted cardi to my boots.

Oh we meet again....we must never go out together Millie as we will be in our Duo boots, WS tunics etc etc.

I have ordered the ribbed tunic in grey- I don't suit dark colours as I am very pale and they wash me out. Agree the jumper one is too shapeless.

I have ordered Boden leggings in a 10 and am struggling to get into the 10 in their straight legged cords,so we'll see.

Which Comptoir coat did you buy- is it on website to s ee?

Tunics here I come...

Purple ... virtual twins!

Wholeheartedly approve of the rib tunic ... I'm keeping the mole colour as it suits my colouring better. It's lovely with black tights/leggings and either black or brown boots. Hope the Boden leggings work out. Funny you should mention cords as I was just about to start a thread enquiring as to whether they are fashionable this season ... having eyed some up in Jigsaw .

The coat is the one on the far right. It's hard to make out but it's lined with a fur lining which is removable - same with hood. Really warm and cosy although obviously not waterproof - that's not really a problem as I drive rather than walk and I'll just wear my old waterproof when it's lashing . The photo doesn't do it justice - it's a nice shape on and the colour seems to go with most things. Ooooh, I hope I've made a good choice.

Go for it with the tunics - I've a Boden one from last year which I wore loads, and another which I bought in a friend's boutique which also gets a fair bit of wear. I'm usually in jeans and am going to make a real effort for tunics and leggings not to be Sunday-best this winter

I have been trying to decide whether to wear leggins or not - this thread has made me feel much better - esp the Joanna Lumley comment. I am going to buy some tomorrow and I am going to wear them!!! Its a bit early for boots isn't it. Can we talk about footwear and leggins please?

PP & M1, I may well stalk you on Style and Beauty as I share your tastes.

I am going to Duo next week to buy some boots and am debating buying the first WC tunic M1 linked to.

Aaaw MM ... I've never considered myself stylish, like i said to PP, I live in jeans but yearn to have the confidence to wear smarter clothes - am mightily sick of wearing jeans day in, day out. Purple gave me lots of good advice on my 'am i too old to wear a mini at 42?' thread! Am still searching for the elusive skirt! Good for you with the tunic - I love it and can't wait to wear it.

Slipper - yeah, unfortunately too early for boots [sob emotion]! Please update us tomorrow re your purchases!

leggings are fine worn like footless tights with a top which comes below your bum by at least a few inches.

They are not ok worn as trousers. I saw someone yesterday who had a pair of black and white striped knickers underneath... blergh.

Millie- have you seen Banana Republic? I bought a cardi there yesterday- looks better on than in pics.

bananarepublic.gap.eu/browse/product.do?cid=51420&vid=1&pid=100028743&scid=100028743FA10-10162
got it in grey- it's like a boyfriend cardi but not quite so long. wearing with skinny jeans.

oh yes- M1- nice coat too

Purple,I always turn up on your threads too!
I think leggings in winter with boots are fine,whatever your age.
I also buy a size up to avoid a too tight look.
May try the Boden ones myself.
Oh,and I love White Company,but it seems dearer than ever this season

Hello GW!
Yes WC is £££ but have bought with 10% discount- not a lot but it helps.

I think I had a 20% discount in the spring which was great!
Their spring knitwear was more reasonable,but obv not as luxurious fabrics.
I do love their stuff though!

No different from wearing thick tights (and more comfortable). You can maybe go a wee bit shorter than with tights, but as DF says, as long as you see them as tights rather than trousers, you're fine.

Re. coats - choose according to the dress/tunic, rather than the leggings (which don't really make a difference). I wear a shorter coat if the dress isn't a knit or jersey one, but I don't like knit dresses under coats/jackets that are shorter.

Same thing with cardigans - actually, it's for that reason that I find woven dresses/tunics more versatile than knit ones. On top of a jersey dress you can only really wear something that's as long as it, or almost.

Purple - have been looking at Banana Republic online, the cardy looks lovely. I've got to watch my budget having splashed on tunic, coat & a Boden dress but do need a few tops (not to mention new jeans and a pair of heeled boots) .

Saw lovely thick knitted leggings today in one of the Sunday magazines. Hang on, shall try to find a picture here - very expensive though.

Vesela - great advice re coats. I love knitted dresses/tunics (have a grand total of two now ) but they do look much better with something the same length thrown over.

SPG10 for a 15% disc with White Co.

oooh- nice leggings.

BR have some skirts if you are still looking.
So does Jigsaw.

Thanks Purple, I am! Like this Jigsaw skirt in grey but they didn't have it in-store last week. Shall have a look on B/R website. Thanks for that.