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.

They mean tights make my fanny sweaty

@HaroldSteptoesHorse

They mean tights make my fanny sweaty

ok that cheered me up, haha!

I think I need to just get used to wearing different coats - spent too long in north face rainproof and cant stand the thing. I would love a slouchy wool coat with hood but it seems hoods and wool aren't happening right now.

I wear leggings, workout leggings because I work out a lot. I do what you called the Sweaty Betty look. I also wear dresses and skirts, rarely jeans.
I have a casual look so wear my dresses with hiking boots, trainers or knee length boots. My coats are neutral colours - camel, black, navy. I have a long puffer coat, which does look good with midi dresses. Or I wear a long wool coat if I want to look smarter. Maybe my sartorial standards are not that high though.

I wear incredibly bright patterned ones. My dinosaur ones are my fave. I dress like a toddler

To mean they mean i am going to the gym but if i had slim legs i would love to wear faux leather ones.

Exercise class with a big t shirt over. And that's it. I wear them for 1 hour per week.

Where do I find a decent quality long puffer coat?

What about jeans or trousers? They're a happy middle ground between leggings and dresses.

Personally, I only wear leggings for exercise.

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

Who said I'm hung up? I'm answering your OP!

I haven't seen you in leggings but I've seen plenty of people in leggings and I know what they look like... I don't have any reason to think you'd look massively different

Wear what you like but a lot of peoplthink they look scruffy

I say this as someone who wears leggings a lot currently myself!

@Yogaandcocoa

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

Who said I'm hung up? I'm answering your OP!

I haven't seen you in leggings but I've seen plenty of people in leggings and I know what they look like... I don't have any reason to think you'd look massively different

Wear what you like but a lot of peoplthink they look scruffy

I say this as someone who wears leggings a lot currently myself!

Well I suppose telling someone they look crap in something wont elicit much sympathy from them, and for such a mundane thread, it is a touch OTT. Its not AIBU ffs.

I dont like leggings much but am currently lazy (I referred to them as sloppy).
You think everyone looks scruffy in them but still wear them yourself.

We are likely on the same page. But this is MN, so it's WW3 innit?

I thought you asked for thoughts on leggings though OP?

I was hardly brutal!

Yes I wear them and use the excuse of having just had a baby (and c section) and they're comfy

But he's four months old now so I think I we'd to put some proper trousers on soon

I need to

That should say

@Yogaandcocoa

I thought you asked for thoughts on leggings though OP?

I was hardly brutal!

Yes I wear them and use the excuse of having just had a baby (and c section) and they're comfy

But he's four months old now so I think I we'd to put some proper trousers on soon

let's drop it, we seem to be at cross purposes even though we largely agree. You just seemed a bit abrupt. im sorry if I got my titties in a twist a bit, it's been a funny week :)

I thought you asked for thoughts on leggings though OP?

Still, you didnt give me your thoughts on leggings, you actually said you doubted I could ever look ok in them, which is a bit persona and not quite the point of the OP. This at least explains why I replied as I did.

*personal

@otterlybonkers

Where do I find a decent quality long puffer coat?

Next, H&M, fat face, sweaty Betty, super dry are ones I've seen recently. Apparently Tesco have a good one too. Might have to wait for stock though

Oh and possibly joules

Leggings are an occasional chilly night in” option for me in which case l go for the Sweaty Betty 7/8. I’m not fan of others unless l can find some which are seam free.

But my dresses are my staple go to, varying from “posh frock” to jersey dresses depending on the occasion. You also (obviously) don’t have to worry about matching the top with a dress.

Throughout Lockdown, working from home and the pandemic, l still opted for dresses most days. And one lunchtime per week, it was my “posh frock walk”. A girl with nowhere to go, l’d get dressed up just to go for a walk; because l could! And l felt better for it!

There are leggings and there are leggings...

I wear leggings in a similar style to you OP and call it my thigh slapping principal boy look I too have thicker ones and also eschew jeans.

I also wear a lot of dresses but I really can't give much headspace to how they look with a coat as the coat is not the outfit. In winter it's generally a choice between the waterproof one or the warm one or (rarely) the very smart one. I also use the same handbag all the time.

There are plenty of cord and velvet mini skirts out there BTW.

They’re not proper clothes. They’re only for exercising.

Same as a pp, they mean I'm at the gym or doing exercise. I only own exercise/yoga leggings.

I think they can look fine, but they're just not my personal style. I mostly only wear skirts or dresses.

Though short or voluminous tops they can look like 'ballet prince' or principal boy, as has, I think, been said!

Why are people responding as if the only clothing options are leggings or dresses, with the odd mention of jeans? There are loads of different trouser styles to wear, but if you want something more like leggings try coated leather look ones, which have a bit more substance than leggings.

I'm getting what you mean exactly! I always feel a bit naff in a longer skirt & coat.
I tend to think if I'm just wearing the coat to get somewhere, pub, work etc then I just accept it but if I was going to an outdoor all day event like a Christmas Market & needed the coat to be part of the outfit I would wear one of the legging type outfits you have posted.

Or a shorter jacket but it's quite hard to find a warm stylish winter jacket!

I love the look of the pictures you posted OP with the thicker leggings and tunic jumpers .

All the people saying leggings are exercise gear - surely they are made of a different material and worn in a completely different way?

I wear leggings in the winter - either fleece lined or I wear two pairs of cotton ones for warmth . I would wear with a long jumper and boots . Probably similar to skinny jeans but i could wear a shorter top with the jeans . I would wear thick black tights with a dress just above my knee .

I don't wear long or midi dresses in winter . Too much fabric hanging underneath my coat to get wet .