Leggings: Friend or foe?

21Sep08

It never really occued to me that this trend would blow up so huge this season. I remember last year in the brutal winter months in Pennsylvania, ladies were actually wearing leggings as pants. I repeat AS PANTS. Not with anything over them, not even a long tunic, just a little Northface fleece jacket, leggings, and UGG boots (don’t even get me started on the UGGS). Everytime I saw a female do this I just shook my head in disgust and sadness for this obvious idiot who forgot to layer on a few more clothes that morning. After that, I became anti-legging or at least vowed not to wear them unless I wore a tunic or dress over them. But after a summer of working at Express, I suddenly got pulled into this Spandex phenomenon. Except now, spandex isn’t the only material these second skins come in. As we started to get fall merchandise, leggings were made of shiny knit nylon and spandex and dare I say, leather! Yes, leather. The first thing I did when I saw these was wrinkle my nose and wonder why. Why would anyone want to wear that? Why would anyone who has friends let their beloved come out in something that tough motorcyle jackets are made of? (okay, so the leggings are probably pleather but you get my point). Besides the material, they also came in colors like hot pink, purple, ARGYLE, glitter, metallic…and then let’s not forget stirrup leggings. You can’t have leggings without paying homage to the one who started it all. Honestly, unless the fashionistas are having a serious case of 80’s flashback I just didn’t see this whole leather legging (among other things) kicking off. Well dare I say it, and I don’t like to say it often, but I was wrong. Apparently, this whole leggings thing is just what the doctor ordered. I must admit even I have fallen victim to it. No, I haven’t rushed out to buy any of the newest pairs but I kind of, sort of want to try the leather pair. After seeing Charlize Theron rock the look with a long white tee and metallic silver jacket I was sold. Though, I am still a bit leary of it on my self considering in my head it looks good but in front of the mirror in the dressing room it could look atrocious. And it’s also important to remember not everyone is Charlize Theron (a memo I wish alot of people got last year.) Not everyone can wear leggings, tights or anything else spandex-y and expect their less than perfect body parts not to show. If anything, what their trying to hide ends up being enhanced. So with that in mind, what do you think? Should we all embrace this replacement for real pants or will it end up being an ultimate enemy?

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