Are leggings appropriate for work?

[pussinboots61]

And if not, what is? I am confused now about work clothes and clothes for outside work (not just for going out in the evenings). Usually for work I wear skirts and plain M&S t-shirts in summer, trousers and plain M&S jumpers or cardies in winter. I wear leggings and long tops, dresses etc when I go out anywhere in the evening or when I am on leave from work and at weekends so that I feel different to when I am at work.

However, I am starting to feel frumpy and boring in my M&S work stuff. I am almost 53 but I don't want to always have the 'classic look', even at work. I have a friend who is older than me and looks great in leggings and long tops and she wears them all the time, she believes that you need to keep your individuality at work aswell, yet some people think you just need to use basic stuff for work.

Yesterday I went to work in my leggings and long top as my trousers were all in the wash and I felt much better, smarter somehow and different. I do have some cheaper tops I could wear with leggings for work and then wear the more dressier ones at other times, would that work? Or is it best just to stick with the plain stuff for work and view it like a uniform?

Depends totally on your job. Mine and my last job - absolutely not, but others, maybe.

I agree with your friend. Work is much more enjoyable if you wear clothes of your preference! Assuming the job allows it, of course.

I work in a Jobcentre by the way.

Depends in your work- I need to wear a suit, so it's a no from me!

What about slim fitting trousers and a blouse or jumper?
Or a nice (casual ish) dress and black tights?

Depends what kind of place you work at. I work with children and am on the floor, bending down and getting mucky all the time so leggings are worn more out of practicality. A smart office in the city, not so appropriate

What do other people wear at your work?

Don't worry, I'm sure they'll introduce a dress code soon (voice of doom)

Leggings are specifically banned in my workplace dress code, as are jeans, flip flops, t-shirts with slogans, shorts and vests. If you don't have a written dress code and other people are dressed similarly I would wear what makes you happy.

I would say ok with long top or dress with boots

If you don't have a dress code I would totally embrace wearing what you want. I worked for years in an office with a very strict dress code (similar to TheBitterBoy, banned items were specifically listed, leggings included) and found it incredibly stifling. It felt like only one step better than a uniform to me and working 5 days a week I was actually being seen by more people more frequently in my work clothes that wearing the clothes i really liked that expressed who I really was.

I work in an office (no visitors or members of the public) in the public sector, but would only wear leggings with a longer tunic top or under a dress. I don't think people realise how threadbare the backside sometimes is, or how see through they become after a few wears, hence me wearing them as a pair of tights rather than a pair of trousers.

I work in a school but in a managerial role.
Today I am wearing an orange and black kilt with an orange jumper, black leggings and black knee high boots.
They look no different to thick tights but am less conscious of bending over and revealing too much.

My rules for leggings? Wear them as tights, not trousers and you cannot go far wrong.
I work in y1 at school.
Got navy and black ones, long tunics, scarves and long cardigans.

Looks great!

Thanks for your replies. Some women where I work wear leggings with long tops but most wear trousers/skirts and tops. I also like to wear short skirts but with thick tights. I don't wear boots at work because its far too hot in the office.

What do you wear in the summer for work? I can't bear leggings or anything on my legs in summer so I tend to go with longer skirts but then long tops don't look right with them so I end up with the basic t-shirts again.

Do you still keep different outfits for outside of work also?

I wear dresses in the summer, or wide leg trousers in a lighter material. I have a variety of scoop neck t shirt material stretchy tops from Wallis that go with my trousers or skirts. They are a bit more fitted than a standard M&S t shirt so look okay with wider trousers or long skirts.
Most of my work 'bottoms' I keep for work, but the tops and jumpers I often wear outside of work.

I'd stay away from leggings pussinboots61 - have a look at the dress code.

Leggings feel really casual to me - something to wear at home when I'm staying in, or to sleep in when it's cold. But I'm 31 and feel I need to avoid looking too young or unprofessional, especially when I'm working with clients as a therapist or attending work meetings as a manager.

I do wear the same stuff to work as outside work for the most part - from autumn to spring mostly knee length skirts (Boden or Seasalt cord skirts, White Stuff printed/embroidered skirts) with a jumper, or a cardigan and long sleeved top. Sometimes skinny jeans but skirts are more practical if it's raining! Black or other dark colour opaque tights and ankle boots. In the summer I like Boden Bistro crop trousers with a plain top and a lightweight cardi (linen) or with a pretty shirt/blouse. Sometimes longer skirts (don't like my bare legs much).

I think they should be. Leggings worn as tight so with long tops and dresses are as smart as tights. As trousers then I think they need to be very thick, good quality ones as some go a bit see through.

Leggings are fine if you work in a dance studio but otherwise I think they're best kept for outside work. There are lots of options in between the two extremes of leggings or an m&s classic skirt.

I agree with everyone who says that they are not suitable for work, in particular burnishedsilver's comments.

I work in a solicitors office (small town) and for first 2 years wore leggings mostly with smart sweaters in winter (as freezing office, semi functioning heating until a year ago...) and also in summer with dresses.

However, past few years as I want to see agencies/have interviews have worn opaque leggings with dresses/skirts etc.

I do see the most godawful workwear on teens/20s of leggings, bum skimming mini skirt and either long blouse or short blouse and short leather jacket. It looks ok but not very professional in an office. But then I'm being picky. A recruitment agency I saw a few months back had leggings and miniskirt woman meeting me, I wasn't impressed.

I work in a school and wear them instead of tights which snag too easily. Am wearing navy ones now with ankle boots and a Boden tunic. All very comfortable.

I wear leggings (I get them from Monsoon as they have thick ones that wear well) for work with long tops and knee length boots. I think it looks smart, but I think it could look awful if the top wasn't long enough and the leggings weren't good quality.

I sometimes wear leggings for work (I'm a GP) but only with longish tops (mid/low thigh) & boots, as if they were a dress & opaque tights really. Never with bare feet or my bum hanging out.

leggings are naff imo -t he fabric always looks cheap, makes knees and legs look chunky. A pair of trousers always better. Plus those elasticated waistbands just let you put on weight

the white stuff way of dressing is where middle aged woman just accept they have given up

They are fine as long as what you wear on your top half fully covers your bum!

I do wear different for work/non- work as work wear even if not v formal starts feeling work related to me. I love flesh colour tights personally - much better than bare legs (I'm only 30 and have worn them always!) I wear with work-ish dresses, pencil style skirts and chiffon-ish blouses. Wear vest top under blouses so much cooler in summer (I'm hot all year round so this is a big concern to me). If I wear trousers I wear with same blouses I find much less stifling than shirts.

I also keep work shoes at work so I can wear shoes that are crap to walk/drive in at work. New look generally have good selection of shoes which are fine for sedentary jobs.