what do leggings mean to you?

[otterlybonkers]

Im slim and have decent legs so I suit them, but since living in them through the entire pandemic I am tired, so bloody tired of them.

So I got out my skirts and dresses (I only have a couple) and felt great for a while, much better, more like me, I feel comfier and a touch more put together.

But then they don't go with my rucksack, or many of my coats/jackets. I am finding I need to purchase a few more things to compliment the dress/skirts. I don't mind this, but I hate overthinking it and it can stress me out.
With leggings, I pull them on with a random cashmere slouchy tunic, nice scarf, or some other longish ok top and am ready to go in a jiffy. All of my coats, bags and footwear go with them.

You might say 'well wear both!' but im noticing having to spend more to accommodate my skirt/dress thing and that irritates me. Maybe I do need to make a touch more effort after slowing for so long - I mean, can leggings ever look chic or well thought out, do you think?

Im not into the Sweaty Betty look AT ALL and I don't do the type of fitness that requires leisure wear. Im more drawn to the pared down but sleek, slightly boho with docs or good boots kinda look.

Can you overdo leggings? Do you think they can look smart if in a good fabric? Im happy to be myself but don't want to project permanent slob mode.

I only wear them for gym & most time chose joggers but i think you wear leggings how i wear jeans

i like dresses in summer as dislike tights. don't really wear skirts

@DameMaureen

Oh no the last time dresses and leggings were mentioned here it caused a war 😂

Oh Christ, yes I remember. The great lycra battle of 2021.

I like some leggings as long as my arse doesn't show in them. So, I suppose, not unlike how I would wear tights. I wear them with things like mini knit dresses. I'm tall and leggy, (not in an especially good way), and they look obscene on me in tights. So I wear wear with leggings.

I'm happy to be myself but don't want to project permanent slob mode

I agree, though it takes time to go back to normal and even remember what you used to wear with what. Try to do it gradually and don't stress too much

@otterlybonkers

Im always in doc Chelsea boots or the original lace ups. I wear these with everything, especially dresses! Maybe some supergas in summer.

It's the coats!
I do like a long skirt, so it's pain in the arse.

Maybe you need a new coat. An over size bomber style maybe so you have options?

Leggings for me are plain black, matt, thick cotton and worn instead of thick wool tights in the winter. I wear them with dresses/ skirts/ long jumpers etc and knee high flat boots, I end up far warmer than if I wore tights. I don't own a single pair of sports leggings. I don't change my coat though- I have one winter coat that has to go with everything throughout the winter, warm, waterproof and windproof. I also wear the same boots all winter and choose my bag based on practicality rather than anything else. I'm in my 30s and this is how the majority of people around my age wear leggings unless they are going for the gym look with trainers/ sports leggings/ sports tops.

@Cissyandflora

They mean I’m fat. And can’t wear anything else.

This is what it means for me too😂

Non-workout leggings to me represent my style wilderness years during my first few years of motherhood. I wore them because they were practical at that time in my life, but I ditched them when I gave my wardrobe a makeover when my youngest started school. I don't think I could go back to them now.

It is also hard to find dresses or skirts that DONT have a bloody animal pattern. Nothing wrong with it but it is dominating pattern choices at almost every store. Or loud florals.

I just want a simple, well made midi skirt, in black or dark green, in cord or velvet for xmas. Cant find anywhere unless splattered with leopard or zebra.

It's great to see so many dresses and skirts again, the market dried up for nearly 20 years, but the choices are flimsy or billowing and loud. Still I am happy to be able to buy them with pockets and longer sleeves now, too!
I do feel very comfy in them.

Leggings are easy, and simple to accessorise, so always tempting to just give up and stay in them.

To me leggings are for knocking about the house in, much like joggers. They look okay if someone comes to the door unexpectedly, but I would pull some jeans on if I needed to nip to Tesco Express for milk. I see a lot of women in more “sporty” leggings out and about and think they look great, but it’s not something I would get away with because my bum is too big.

ive got a long wool coat which is wonderful and goes with anything.

Am worried about wild wet weather though, I cant wear the wool coat all the time..

I think decent leggings can look stylish and luxe if paired with the right items - your cashmere tunics sound great. Just because they often look slobby / scruffy / sporty doesn’t mean they have to.

I feel your pain with the needing different bags and cardigans and coats to feel right though, summer is so much easier.

What about one of the huge big duvet coats that just cover everything that are everywhere just now. I'm just waiting for the Emma wills at next one to come back in stock. Matters little what you are wearing under

I wear a mix of leggings, jeggings and skinny jeans, with jumpers, t shirts, longer coats and either chunky boots or converse. I am busy mum with three dc and we have a dog to walk so I have to be practical. So to me they mean comfort I guess.

@BreakfastOfWaffles

Non-workout leggings to me represent my style wilderness years during my first few years of motherhood. I wore them because they were practical at that time in my life, but I ditched them when I gave my wardrobe a makeover when my youngest started school. I don't think I could go back to them now.

One pair & you'll be lost! The comfort, the ease, the versatility....go on, you know you want to!

I also like the sound of the cashmere tunic and would like to see a link or example. I'd happily style without leggings at the weekend

I love them. To me they represent finally for the first time in my life, having a body im happy with. I break the rules and wear them with short tops, (thick ones, or leather for going out) and I'm happy as a clam.

@SpookyPumpkinPants I think I got it so spectacularly wrong in the wilderness years I'd be worried about history repeating itself!

@otterlybonkers

I know it's a bit marmite, but have a look at sea salt fir the skirt you're after, I think they have some that'll be what you're after...

@liveforsummer

I also like the sound of the cashmere tunic and would like to see a link or example. I'd happily style without leggings at the weekend

I took these screenshots from the Poetry website. It gives an idea of how I style leggings in winter, although I don't wear beige ones!

Nothing gym related or sloppy. I think with leggings it depends how you style them. I don't see them as any more slobby than jeans, which can also look a bit tired, sometimes.

I totally get what you're saying. Leggings are definitely acceptable and look good in the style that you are describing. However jeans (good quality ones) would give you the same vibe, look better snd are just as easy.

@miltonj

I totally get what you're saying. Leggings are definitely acceptable and look good in the style that you are describing. However jeans (good quality ones) would give you the same vibe, look better snd are just as easy.

I just cant, have always hated them and never been comfy in denim. It's just a no go for me, but yes, there are some lovely jeans out there, too!

[quote BreakfastOfWaffles]@SpookyPumpkinPants I think I got it so spectacularly wrong in the wilderness years I'd be worried about history repeating itself![/quote]
@BreakfastOfWaffles

🤣🤣

I'm beyond caring tbh.

I'm 52, fat, had an accident earlier in the year which makes dressing a nightmare, leggings I can do (now) add t shirt/jumper/tunic (anything arse covering length) & I'm good to go. When putting your own knickers on is a celebrated achievement, it somewhat grounds you!!

It's why I'm rarely on S & B threads 🤣🤣. Merely memories of a past life now!

The op sounds stylish in hers!!

I've bought some bootcut jazz pants from a dance website - as easy and comfy as leggings and just look a bit more current at the moment.

They mean the gym or running to me. Daft really because I am happy to wear spray on jeans.

I’m slim, got good legs and I don’t feel the need to cover my bum.