Tunics/short dresses with leggings - is this now a fashion faux pas?

[40SomethingFabulouslyClueless]

I hope not. And if so, what's the alternative?

(Prompted by someone on the Vogue thread saying leggings were 'so 2004'.)

Jeggings are your friend.

I wear leggings instead of opaque tights. Far more comfortable and better wearing. In boots I don't think you can really tell the difference. Always with bum covered though!

So footless tights aren't the same as leggings then? Ah. So that might make sense then, the thread talked about footless tights, which I thought meant leggings i clearly still have a lot to learn
Always buttocks covered, wouldn't want to expose my backside to the world. (btw, any tips for persuading teenagers that leggings and tight crop top is NOT a good look?)

Sadly if you have DD2's figure it almost is.

She does tend to put denim shorts over her leggings in public, but I more often see her without.

Usually upside down (the figure comes from endless gymnastics on the trampopoline).

I said footless tights were "2004" on the wedding thread. I never mentioned tunics or leggings. They definitely were footless tights being thin and shiny and worn with a dress, not a tunic.

I don't wear leggings or tunics but I don't wish them any harm. Cosiness is important as is comfort.

I had no idea I was so influential though move over Anna Wintour

Leggings and tunics are frumpsville. Worn to cover and hide bits. But if you're happy and comfortable who cares. Seems everyone's paranoid these days about being out of fashion

Oh gosh, maybe they are leggings? Also I now recall that the summer when everyone was wearing footless tights under dresses was just before I had DS1 so 2007??? 2006 maybe. IIRC the fashion crime of 2004 was the poncho.

Not only influential but influential AND wrong.

It was just a flippant remark OK???

God who can remember 2004 anyway? Let me think I was clubbing all the time and saving like mad so would have been wearing a bootleg Jean with a tight tshirt and trainers.

Aha! Thanks for clarifying, Tondelayo. Poncho? I think I missed that fad.

I like my legging/short dress/ballet flat combo as it's practical, comfy and, I think , simple and a little bit understated. But what I see in the mirror isn't necessarily what everyone else sees. I don't mind being slightly dated (if it looks classic), but frumpy, please not frumpy .

What's a less frumpy alternative (suitable for a 40-something?)

Dresses and opaques?

Round my way the mum uniform of choice is sparkly sweatshirt, skinny jeans and converse.

Not sure I'm after a mum uniform! And I can't do skinnies; too tight on the tummy and too loose at the back of the waist I am an odd shape

Dresses and opaques may need to be the answer.

Personally, I hate Converse! I think they look as if you're trying to be 22 again. And they're unflattering to all but the smallest feet.

Re: dress and opaques - if you're wearing that with long boots, how does anyone know whether they're opaques or leggings?! (Feeling daft AND daggy now!)

Daggy! It's a brilliant Oz word but I've not heard it for years! That's brightened up my morning.

I actually can't walk properly in Converse. It's like trying to walk with planks of wood tied to your feet.

I agree with Koala, how are leggings different to tights if you're wearing with a dress and long boots?

That's what I do in colder months, because I don't like the feel of tights and prefer cotton leggings on my skin.

I thnk very unflattering unless pregnant

If it is then I'm fucked, because that's how I live. Folksy dresses, black leggings, big boots.
Meh I don't much care. I have got the stage now where I am only dressing for myself. That's how I feel comfortable, and flattered by my clothes.

Sorry 40 - my comment was irrelevant / unhelpful

I feel a bit frumpy in leggings. Have three pairs and haven't worn them in quite a while. Although I do also have a flowery pair (stay with me here) that are bizarrely flattering (no I don't understand this either, ha) that I wear in winter with a long chunky jumper and boots. It is kind of an early-90s look but IT WORKS (it does, it does!) and I like it.

But other than that I much prefer tights...we had a brilliant cold, clear morning today and I am wearing a tunic-y knitted thing with tights and a chunky ribbed Brora cashmere jumper...I look very nice

That sounds lovely! Love Brora.
Hmm, have been wondering myself if my much-loved tunic/leggings combination is really such a good look...having noticed several women looking great in more flattering jeans and trousers, worn with crisp shirts etc. I feel I need better styling! Perhaps I should keep the leggings for house wear? And maybe stay away from White Stuff type shops?

Could some very kind person/people link to tunics/dresses to wear with leggings, please? I'm looking, but not sure in the right places!

another one who doesn't quite get the difference between leggings and opaque tights (when worn with boots), in terms of looks?

also not sure I understand the argument that tunics are frumpy because they're meant to hide bad bits - surely that's another way of saying they're flattering? what's wrong about that?

My friends who work in fashion still wear them. It's not on trend but it's not a faux pas.

Not being high fashion wouldn't matter if they were flattering but, on most women, they're not. The tunic may cover the bum but it ends at the very fattest point of the thigh, instantly turning perfectly good legs into tree trunks. If you wouldn't wear a dress that short, why wear a tunic?

But I'm another one who wears leggings with a knee length dress and boots sometimes. They're warmer, harder wearing and less sweaty than tights.