Sorry for being daft but...how do I wear leggings??

[GnarlyOldGoatDude]

I know, I know...the rest of the universe has been wearing them for decades, but I've always thought I was the wrong shape and size for them. I probably still am, but took the plunge and bought some today. But what do I actually wear them with?? I'm a jeans with everything type, in my 40s, don't even possess a long jumper or tunic thing.

Should I give up now?

I bought a pair a few year ago and was in the same predicament. In the end I decided that for me they're strictly lounge wear. They just done feel like proper clothes to me.

Tights are more flattering but I struggle to find ones that fit - short legs and wide hips!

i wear mine with dresses. Im wearing a plain black long sleeve jersey dress, black leggings and purple boots today.

Theyre not like tights. Tights are horrid and make me itch. Jeans look terrible on me and are too thick and uncomfortable most of the time. I have one pair of trousers that suit me, but the rest of the time im in leggings and a tunic or a dress.

Such that you can't see the top or bottom of them - with a long top or dress and boots.

I can't bear tights, toes all scrunched up with the seam all twisty. And I somehow spiral tights up so the crotch is weirdy and odd.

Leggings suit my cackhanded-ness and TFFT. Hah.

Ha! Thanks all, nice to know I'm not the only sceptic, but also some great ideas on how to wear them. I suspect they may still go back...I too have been scarred by the sight of horrible rear views in leggings while out shopping...

great ideas for wearing leggings on the Sara Pacini pinterest site and no cowgirl boots!

If you don't want to buy a whole new wardrobe get yourself some long vest tops that cover your bum (h&m ones are great). Then you can wear with shorter tops/jumpers.

To me, a long vest and leggings is either yoga wear or pyjamas... I can't be the only one?!

Yes but if you pair the vest with a nice shorter top/jumper in the right way can look nice and just give you that extra Bit of comfort you aren't flashing your crotch. You just get a band of vest at the bottom. I have loads of different coloured vests. You can contrast the colours etc.

it all depends on the quality of the layers and how well you put them together for your body image. Sara Paccini knows how to do leggings casually to high fashion.

That Sarah Pacini stuff just isn't my taste at all - maybe that explains my aversion to leggings.
To me, big drapey tunic tops and leggings just look like you're trying to hide your figure under layers.

See, I don't even own a tunic or jumper dress, I'm a fleece and jeans kinda girl (I know, I really don't belong here in style and beauty!!)

But I quite fancied having a go. Liked the asos one upthread. Just not convinced the world is ready for my parsnip legs (I'm also the only person in the world that doesn't have skinny jeans...)

To be honest, if you're not keen on skinny jeans (I don't wear them because they don't flatter my somewhat treetrunk-like legs), then leggings should definitely be off the radar, IMO.

You're probably right! I think somehow I'm missing out though

I don't get the point of leggings, if you are supposed to wear them as tights why not get tights.
I am sure in the 80s ladies leggings were thick (like little girls leggings still are) and worn with normal length tops.

You're not the only one in the world, OP! I have never worn skinny jeans and don't plan to start any day soon.

I remember those leggings spider, didn't they have elastic that went under your feet to keep them where they were meant to be? they weren't skin tight either.

There are tights and then there are tights imo, I didn't find them that comfortable until I shopped about and found some that fit, I have Wolford ones now, no twisted legs, scrunched up feet or faffing about to get them on.

Why wear leggings instead of tights? Simple:

• Leggings are mostly cotton, and breathe.
• Tights are all nylon.

As someone with 'exciting' skin, that makes leggings wearable (with cotton jersey tunics / dresses ... skin heaven) daily for work, and tights a once-yearly-with-lots-of-steroid-cream option!