Dear Abby: what do you recommend wearing with leggings?
Tiffany
Great question Tiffany! One of my favorite things about fall is the joy of wearing tights! The obvious, easy, convenient answer is... dresses! (of course) There's no easier outfit than throwing on a pair of tights, a comfy loose dress, and a cardigan. Paired with simple jewelry and a pair of ballet flats, you're ready to head out the door in no time!
Leggings are a great option to help your summer wardrobe expand into the next season. During that odd time when it's still warm outside but cooler in buildings due to the AC, they help to make a summery dress more fall appropriate.
Leggings are also great when paired with long, over sized sweaters, as seen in this outfit:
Take your over sized cardi, throw on a fun shirt underneath, add leggings, a long necklace, bangles, ballet flats, a fun purse and tada! Now, typing it all out like that makes it sound rather complicated, but it shouldn't be! It's like taking all of your favorite items and making the most comfortable outfit out of them!
I have to point out that the pants featured above are actually called Ponte Pants from Gap. While I haven't personally tried them on yet, my mom bought a pair a couple of weeks ago and hasn't stopped raving about them since! They are pants, but fit and feel like a high quality, thick pair of tights. I am hoping to purchase my own pair here in the next few weeks. I totally understand having a budget, but there are times to invest in key pieces and I really believe these Ponte Pants will be a key piece in your wardrobe.
Now, as far as an unconventional way to wear tights: shorts! This is becoming a more acceptable outfit, but I won't promise you won't get some funny looks :) Tights with shorts certainly isn't for everyone, but it may be for you.
It may require that you leave the house with a "fake it till you make it attitude," but trust me, you'll look great!
When it comes to color choices, don't limit yourself to the accepted neutrals: black, brown and gray. Have fun with it- choosing colored tights and leggings is a fun way to add some extra flair to your outfit!
I'm hoping to add plum, teal and maroon into my wardrobe!
I can't write a blog post about what to wear leggings with without saying what not to wear them with. You may not feel the same way, but leggings are not pants in my opinion. They may cover you up, but there's certainly no way to be modest if you go out in leggings without a top that goes down to at least mid thigh. Whether you care or not, people can't help but notice that your lower half is on display for the world to see when you wear tights as pants. I know they're comfortable, but let's keep everything covered in public!
Have any suggestions for Tiffany on what to wear leggings with?
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Hooray for leggings! Your advice is spot on. Leggings under dresses are delightful in winter and infinitely more comfortable than pantyhose or tights may be. And a resounding yes, LEGGINGS ARE NOT PANTS.
ReplyDeleteAlso, shorts over tights were all the rage when I was in 8th grade due to "Beverly Hills 90210". As in, the original starring Shannen Doherty :) Crazy how things come back around!
Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!
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