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?

I wear leggings for work, it's definitely acceptable in my office.

I wear my nicer stuff for work as when I'm not working I am looking after my toddler who generally wants me to play in the sandpit or climb stuff with her.

Leggings should only be worn under long tops or dresses, whether at work or not

'she believes that you need to keep your individuality at work aswell'

I love this attitude and I completely agree. Obviously you can't follow it in all jobs but if you can, then wear what you feel good in. I'm an NHS clinician and I work with children. I often wear leggings with tunics and dresses, they just look like tights really. The key with leggings is to always treat them like tights, never like trousers i.e. you must always make sure your bum and most of thighs are covered. And dark colours are better.

That's really harsh betty, and wrong.
I think they look bad if they are a thin material, worn with a too short t shirt. No-one would disagree with that?
Good quality thick material leggings/jeggings worn with longer tops or dresses is a practical, comfortable and smart look. It is popular for a reason.

My office is smart casual and suits for meetings, and quite conservative so I generally wear knee-length dresses with a cardi or jacket and flat pumps or heels if I'm out at a meeting. I would feel like I'd turned up to work in my jammies if I came in wearing leggings and a long top

Betty nothing 'let's' you put on weight you either do or you don't. It doesn't matter..
What does 'given up' mean?

I wear them for work always with a bum covering top and boots, usually a cardi and scarf too, never sandals/flip flops. I tend to wear two pairs at once though to make sure they aren't see through. I think I am the only person in my office to wear them but no one has ever said anything and one of our bosses would definitely comment. He once asked if I was going to a disco after work, I never wore that skirt/top combo again!

No. Leggings are pjs/ loungewear

I wear dresses most of the time. Alone in summer, with tights/ cardigan/ blazer/ long tip under in winter

Or occasionally chino type trousers ( have navy, maroon, tan and light grey), wear with silk blouse and blazer

Jobcentres have generally* been fairly relaxed about what the staff wear as long as it isn't revealing or really scruffy and a bit of individual style cheers up some of the clients too if it shows you're human. The way the civil service is going though you never know when tighter controls may be put in place.

*haven't worked in one for a long time. I used to wear cerise miniskirts and orange t-shirts and never got told off.

Oh dear Betty
My leggings are neither cheap or naff.
I hope they do make my legs look chunky though, as I am 7.5 stone with legs like twigs.

Leggings under skirts are no different to thick black tights imo.
Don't do the White Stuff tunic thing myself, but have seen it done well with accessories and looking great.

I wouldn't wear leggings to work in my job. They are too casual. Trousers, shirt and patent heels usually for me, occasionally a dress with black tights.

I wore something similar to this yesterday but with a blazer and scarf and knee high boots. Black leggings under the skirt.
Perfectly acceptable for work imo.

That's harsh Betty!

I buy thick legging from Next and wear them with long tops and boots. I wouldn't wear them for work though apart from on our dress down Fridays.

I wear leggings and am technically middle aged. If 'given up' means not caring how you look anymore, and just being comfy, then no, I haven't given up. In fact, I look fucking HOT (smile)

That's a fab outfit Crack

I don't understand the sniffiness from people who say they wear black opaque tights but not leggings - surely they look just the same?

Imo a waist band is a good reminder. Leggings are popular as they let you expand and the dreaded tunic gives you a terrible sack of spuds shape. Imo anyway

The seams at the sides and the material make leggings look very different from opaque tights which actually make your legs look smooth. I don't understand why anyone wants all that extra fabric under skirts or dresses either?

msfreud because some of the time I am working with children and teenagers and I feel more comfortable knowing I won't be flashing my arse when I bend over.
If I couldn't wear leggings I wouldn't wear a skirt above the knee.

And betty I have no trouble regulating my calorie intake without the aid of tailored trousers

Yes with a smart long tops leggings are fine.

I think it depends on the workplace but only the most formal office or customer facing job wouldn't allow leggings and a dress/tunic top. I think young people need to dress more formally if they want to get on, on the other hand once you get a bit older then you need to be more fashionable to give the same impression as a more formally dressed young person IYSWIM.

Sometimes leggings are warmer and more comfy than 100 etc denier opaque tights.

I generally tend to wear leggings with boots which cover the legging part at ankle. In fact the other day I had some opaque footless tights from H&M (couldn't find leggings or tights!) and they're almost the same as leggings.

Also marvelling at the idea that the only thing that is standing between me and total lardiness is a tight waistband that stops me "letting myself go". Presumably that is why gym instructors, etc., who wear sports gear all day are so fat

Well, they do sport all day don't they?

unclerory I disagree, my office wasn't formal or customer facing, it had a "business casual" dress code and leggings and tunics were definitely not allowed. Neither men nor women were required to wear suits, but clothing still had to retain the look of formal office wear in style, tailoring and material. So, in reality that meant tailored trousers or skirts, for men no tie but had to be a shirt which a tie could be worn with (so no polo shirts, or e.g. casual check shirts, and you could wear a jumper or cardigan instead of a blazer style jacket. Women had far more leeway than men but the obvious no-nos were jeans, and leggings.

I buy footless dancer's tights from Amazon or dance suppliers on eBay, in dark colours. Cheap, very smooth and light but don't snag, also nice and warm. They are very hard wearing too. Never wear as trousers but wear all winter with long tops, dresses etc. thick socks and knee length boots. Very practical and can be smart or casual depending on jacket over the top or cardigan. Rustic boots in tan, or smart ones in black.

Senior manager in public sector.

I wear them to my work.
BettyMoody Thats quite an offensive comment to those that like white stuff clothes. . Have you looked at white stuff clothes recently?

www.whitestuff.com/womens/dresses/green-house-of-heritage-dress/

www.whitestuff.com/womens/dresses/latest-dress/

www.whitestuff.com/womens/holding_xmas_14/dark-gora-grey-santoro-spot-dress/

I hardly think that these dresses fit with your description.