Leggings at work?

[springchickennolonger]

Just wondering. Years ago, when leggings were "in" I was banned from wearing them on the grounds of tmi. It was an office environment, but the leggings were good quality, not the glorified tights of today.

Going back to work in a semi-formal environment and at the moment live in leggings. Can I continue to wear them? And if so, with what?

At my work people do wear them with a dress over
I think tights look smarter though

Yes, lilac, I agree that leggings look odd with a dress. Unless it's a tunicy one. I'm not really a "dress" person, so I was thinking good quality leggings with slouchy jacket/ smart boots or shoes. I'm clueless really, and my figure's all too pot since I worked in an office.

I guess it'll depend on your work environment? Leggings have never been allowed anywhere that I've worked though - mainly office roles

I guess it'll depend on your work environment? Leggings have never been allowed anywhere that I've worked though - mainly office roles

Sorry I've just noticed you've said semi formal environment - that's a tough one! I'd go for a no to start with and eye up other peoples outfits for the first few days to get a feel for what's accepted

You could wear them where I work. I don't like them but that's another argument entirely

My office is quite casual and I wear leggings all the time. Mostly as tights with dresses (ie with boots so you wouldn't know they're actually leggings). Also with tunics. Never with a top that doesn't cover the bum.

No. Leggings and a semi-formal environment have no place together - Ever. Just no.

I sometimes wear them at work (office) but in place of tights under a dress as others have said.

I wear tshirt and leggings to go running, no way I'd ever wear that combo in the office...

Thanks. Hope I can find some trousers that actually fit!

Uniqlo do nice jeggingy trousers - they look like completely normal trousers but have a legging type waist. Comfy and wash really well. Don't need to iron mine!

I wear them with a dress but I wouldn't with just a top.

spring I tend to wear leggings under dresses in winter with boots - thicker than tights and fit better. I treat leggings as alternative to tights rather than trousers. I don't have a problem with others wearing leggings as trousers but not sure they have a role in an office!

I wear leggings in the office, usually under a dress but sometimes with a long top. Never a tshirty type top tho, definitely a smart top. Our office is quite double standards though, the men always wear shirt and tie and the women wear pretty much what they like other than jeans. I have worn maxi dresses, leggings, smart dresses, tea dresses, skirts other than pencil skirts.

I agree with going smart for the first week until you get a vibe for what others wear.

To be honest, I've never worn them to work and I wouldn't recommend them in any office, especially not one that's semi formal. Even if no one "says anything", they don't project a professional image, if you know what I mean.

Next chino 's are a stretchy slim fit and look smart, might be an alternative for you.

Some people in my "semi-formal" office environment wear them (usually with a long top/short dress). Not the ones who come across as most professional and well respected though.

Please don't! Especially not worn as trousers.

Try some black cigarette trousers instead. Worn with heels they are flattering, comfy, smart and more modern than leggings.

I really wish someone would invent a whole new type of 'formal' clothing.

Smart trousers are usually made of something sweaty and electrostatic, or something woolly . And don't suit those who are wide of beam.

Smart skirts ditto.

And tights are the devil's work. Sweaty, don't stay in place, ladder - just yuk.

There has to be another way.

I suppose it's the lack of natural fibres in formal clothing that's the problem, thinking about it. Wool doesn't count, being itchy.

And I hate the way people take a pride in being encased head to toe in synthetic fabrics because they're 'smart', and think we should all make the effort to look the same.

I have been wearing them all winter under a dress and with boots so not much different looking to thick opaque tights.

We're supposed to wear smart business wear but in reality it's more relaxed. We are explicitly told no leggings or jeans though and men need to wear a shirt with a collar

ha, well I wear leggings at my current job (because my colleague wears them) and it's not super smart.

However I notice a young woman every day on my train who always wears leggings and bum skimming black mini skirt. I know she works because I see her with a colleague and going into an office no I don't stalk her! Today she was wearing a sheer coloured (petrol blue) shirt over this - but I think it looks very unprofessional.

Also I noted on my walk down to the station a few women who wear what I wear - dresses with leggings underneath or even footless tights. that's fine. I did see a woman again in leggings with shirt, top on front half. seemed office worker type.

It really doesn't bother ME but I noticed this and because of this thread.

Purply - I agree with you re the other type of smart clothing. what is there? nothing it seems out there.