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.

A few more leggings looks that I like, sort of simple yet luxe.

@coogee

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.

I think it's a personal thing, because I don't like my arse on show when wearing leggings, but it's a decent arse It depends how comfortable we are with things, ive always been a bit of a bum-shy person. I don't mind others doing it though, obviously, they look great.

@coogee

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.

I think the back pockets are the difference.

They’re lounge wear for me. They’re super comfortable for sleeping in but I think I look like a slob in leggings unless I’m wearing a long cashmere jumper and ballet flats.

I have a mum friend on the school run who lives in leggings and looks divine but she is very slender and tall. I secretly hate her 😆

I had a brilliant idea for a TV fashion show. “Rear view mirror”. Educate people on how to look their best from behind. Leggings would be banned from every wearer.

@Angrymum22

I had a brilliant idea for a TV fashion show. “Rear view mirror”. Educate people on how to look their best from behind. Leggings would be banned from every wearer.

you'd honestly think the images ive posted would look bad from the back?

I like the idea of the show though, might encourage brands to photograph their models from the rear more too, im looking at you, Toast!

Those Poetry styles look lovely OP

@Angrymum22

I had a brilliant idea for a TV fashion show. “Rear view mirror”. Educate people on how to look their best from behind. Leggings would be banned from every wearer.

I look my best from behind when wearing my leggings. I struggle with jeans as to fit my waist they pull on the bum. Leggings give a lovely smooth look. I see loads of women looking great in them too yet people always hone in on those they feel look less than perfect and extrapolate from that.

Sorry OP I think you're kidding yourself if you think leggings suit you

They are v casual weat / gym wear

I never used to wear leggings out other than to them gym but since having a baby I fu d myself wearing them a lot and think I need to stop wearing them so much!

Leggings to me mean the potential to let myself go a bit, because of the elasticity involved. So, as an apple with a tendency to get more circular with age, I'd rather stick to jeans - I get a helpful warning when they won't do up comfortably. That's obviously not your issue, and the images you show look lovely in a casual but stylish kind of way. I'd just stick with it, if I was you!

I think you're kidding yourself if you think leggings suit you

you don't know what I look like. Dont get so super hung up about it, theyre just leggings!

@Snailhaterz2

Leggings to me mean the potential to let myself go a bit, because of the elasticity involved. So, as an apple with a tendency to get more circular with age, I'd rather stick to jeans - I get a helpful warning when they won't do up comfortably. That's obviously not your issue, and the images you show look lovely in a casual but stylish kind of way. I'd just stick with it, if I was you!

I much prefer dresses and skirts though, but they are a bitch to find coats for. Ive got a decent waist and like emphasising it in a nice dress or skirt - cant really do that with leggings unless with a crop tee and that aint gonna happen.

Been looking at longline puffers, cant find a decent dark green one (or dark grey that would be nice). I have this feeling I'd look like a caterpillar in a sleeping bag !

But you wear them like a pair of opaque tights under a tunic top or as comfort wear around the house. I’m talking about the wearers who leave nothing to the imagination.
I wear thick tights aka leggings with feet with tunics and boots. But you wouldn’t see me dead with a short jumper. Even the slimmest models look awful because they have bony arses.
It’s a bit like the male craze of wearing trousers round their knees. Or skin tight jeans. Thank god they have gone back to normal trousers that show off a decent.
My DS17 found an old pair of his fathers 501s that had escaped the charity bag. They look really good on him and he is constantly being asked where he got them.

@Angrymum22

But you wear them like a pair of opaque tights under a tunic top or as comfort wear around the house. I’m talking about the wearers who leave nothing to the imagination. I wear thick tights aka leggings with feet with tunics and boots. But you wouldn’t see me dead with a short jumper. Even the slimmest models look awful because they have bony arses. It’s a bit like the male craze of wearing trousers round their knees. Or skin tight jeans. Thank god they have gone back to normal trousers that show off a decent. My DS17 found an old pair of his fathers 501s that had escaped the charity bag. They look really good on him and he is constantly being asked where he got them.

The tunic style jumpers are longer on me as im shorter than models, it doesn't look bad at all, but I have to admit I am bored of them and do prefer dresses. I havent worn my leggings for 3 months but I need to sort a wet weather coat out fast if I want to keep the dresses dry this winter.

I think a lot of people associate leggings with the stereotypical, Vicky Pollard look (which is another whole can of worms in itself) so the concept seems to have stuck - underwear showing, etc.

I don't think they look very smart. I wear them for running and dog walking!

Then again, I was at work yesterday and saw an incredibly stylish woman wearing leggings and these amazing boots and a long jumper (finished upper thigh). She looked incredible. But she was about 25 :)

I don’t really consider leggings as ‘clothes’. I wear designated running ones to run in and may occasionally wear thin black leggings under a dress instead of tights but not often.

As someone else said….they’re never smart, chic or stylish. They’re easy.

It depends how comfortable we are with things, ive always been a bit of a bum-shy person.

You are probably right. I don’t have any body hang-ups.

They remind me of my mum!

@coogee

It depends how comfortable we are with things, ive always been a bit of a bum-shy person.

You are probably right. I don’t have any body hang-ups.

but it isn't a hang up, I have decent boobs but don't show them either. It's just personal preference. Not everything is about hiding.

It might be about what we feel our best in. Im more about showing legs and waist than other parts of me.

that said, my dp would love me to be less bum shy in leggings

I'm fat have great shapey legs, I like the styles that are thick and more of a cross over of trousers. Find fitted trousers so hard to find, right now 52 inch bust & hips with 50 inch thighs and 32 inch inside leg, only thing skinny about me is my ankles. Legging style trousers show of the ankles and create balance. If I find anything that's fits I'm happy......but really enjoying going out and doing make up etc as don't bother at home nice for a bit on contrast in life even in how we look to ourselves. So get why you bored of the at home leggings look.

Dog walking or cleaning.

Exercise or dog walking or cleaning/tidying

For me personally wearing sports leggings means 'm off to the gym / walking for exercise.

Wearing black leggings means I'm feeling too fat / lazy / cold to actually wear tights with a dress.

Or I haven't washed my one pair of jeans (I know I need to buy more pairs but I keep hoping that I'll lose weight!!

I don’t suit leggings so only wear them for exercise. They’re also much thinner than jeans so I get cold if I wear them to wfh or walk the dog. Also long tops don’t suit me either - they make me look twice the size as they hide my waist. I don’t quite get what the issue is with dresses and coats though - is it that you want a raincoat that covers the dresses? Is your current one very sporty? I wear or see others wearing midi dresses with leather jacket, oversized denim jacket, long wool coat, army jacket, duffel coat, teddy jackets, or midi length raincoats … heaps of things! I live in Scotland and it’s cold and rainy here a lot so we have many options!

Also trench coats, proper waterproof mackintoshes, puffa jackets…