Miss 18 and I agree: we are sick of hearing that leggings cannot be worn as pants.
We think it’s a matter that should be open to debate.
The Other Side of the Leggings as Pants Debate
Why is it a “fashion rule” that if you wear leggings, you must always make sure that your bottom – and your front bottom too! – must be covered by your top/tunic/shirt?
Aren’t fashion rules made to be broken?
What if you have nice pins that actually look good in leggings?
What if the leggings are of a quality material and fit, so there’s no sign of the dreaded camel toe?
Leggings as Pants for the Young Miss
I’m thinking of examples like my own Miss 18. She’s young with an enviable figure – so if she wants to wear leggings as pants, I say more power to her! And I just happen to think she looks pretty terrific in them (though I’m biased, of course).
Leggings as Pants for Middle Aged Women
But what about the more shapely – and the more mature – among us? Is it really such a terrible thing to see a woman wearing leggings as pants?
To me, it’s like the winter version of the bikini debate.
And I think the answer should be the same: Why shouldn’t a woman be able to wear what she likes, and feels comfortable and confident in? Why can’t older women flaunt a bit of body confidence now and then?
I Must Confess: I *like* leggings as pants. Shock, horror! And I don’t think I look too bad in them either.
But if you’re more cautious, you could try adding a long vest (the fringed one in the pics above is from Millers). That’s how I started out. Until the day I lost mine while travelling a couple of years ago, and decided that actually, I didn’t look too bad without it (AND, I was about 5kg heavier then)!
I’ve since added another long vest to my wardrobe, but I no longer feel it’s ESSENTIAL to cover up when I’m wearing a short top with leggings.
What about you? Are you brave enough to wear leggings as pants – or is it a no-go area in your books?!
Julia says
Love this post! I practically live in my leggings xx
Janet Camilleri says
And you look lovely in them too 🙂
Kate says
I really dislike leggings as pants, except at the gym or while exercising. The camel toe look is just not a good one. And jeggings – blech!!!
Janet Camilleri says
Camel toe is never a good look, but if the leggings fit properly it shouldn’t be a problem
Steph @ Stephane June says
I can’t help but hate leggings as pants! I wear them as pants when I’m at home, but if I go out I feel so exposed! Plus, when I see people out and about wearing leggings… there’s just some things I don’t want to see 😛
I think it is like the bikini debate, if people were walking around shopping centres just wearing bikinis we wouldn’t be a fan, because bikinis are for certain places and activities, like swimming and the beach! I think that leggings are for certain situations also, like under a long top or at home!
I mean realistically, some leggings do about as much as painting your legs would do.
I do appreciate how accepting you are of your daughter wearing what she wants though, sounds like you guys have a lovely relationship 🙂
Janet Camilleri says
Too true – a time and a place for everything. I personally hate it when (usually young ‘uns) wear short shorts in the city. At the beach or at home; fine. NOT in the city.
jess says
I tend to agree with Steph above, I’m just not a fan of seeing them out and about. But if you are comfortable and feel fab in them, who am I to say no! 🙂 I love wearing my leggings around the house.
Janet Camilleri says
They are just so comfortable!
Hugzilla says
“Why shouldn’t a woman be able to wear what she likes, and feels comfortable and confident in? Why can’t older women flaunt a bit of body confidence now and then?” A-FREAKING- men Janet! Let’s bugger off with all the body-shaming and let women wear what makes them feel good.
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Zilla! And well done on your top 100 placing in Voices of 2015 – well deserved!
Snoskred says
I worked with a lady who wore leggings as pants with short tops. And look, if her leggings had any structural integrity left, it might have been perfectly fine. But these poor leggings were older leggings, they’d seen better days and the material was becoming very see through. I suspect they had been cheap to begin with.
When this lady would bend over at a desk she bent at the butt, not at her knees, and the entire office would be treated to a view of her underwear *and* her butt crack. As it is, I see far more butt crack on the streets than I would like, and over the time I worked with her, I saw way too much of hers. :/
Me personally I have some strict fashion rules that I stick to *for me* not for other people. I don’t want anyone but my Other Half seeing my butt crack. So if I am wearing leggings I do treat them as tights. There are some pairs you can buy that are a lot thicker and provide much better coverage of the crack area, those I would have no problem wearing as pants, but they are also Up Money, as in, $50 plus which is a fair whack of money to spend on a pair of leggings.
But everyone gets to choose their own fashion rules. You do look amazing in leggings, so if you’re cool with wearing them, thumbs up to you. 🙂
Janet Camilleri says
Ewwww … I do understand this. I have told Miss 18 in the past to bin a particular pair of black leggings as they’d become so transparent, you could see her knickers (g-string at that!) when she bent over. And thanks for the compliment 😉
Raych aka Mystery Case says
I honestly think it is a case of each to their own but I would say skin colour leggings are a definite no no for everyone and for me leggings are for home and the gym.
Janet Camilleri says
Miss 18 and I pretty much only wear black. I don’t think I’ve ever seen skin tone – ewwww.
Pinky Poinker says
I’m wearing a short t shirt and leggings right now but I wouldn’t go out in public like this. I used to though. I think you’re right that if there’s no camel toe it’s fine. Not for me though. I’m too self conscious of ma belly!
KathyMarris says
Definitely no go with me, unless I wear a long length top over them. I have far too many cuddly bits and muffin top to get away without covering things up. I know they are comfortable, but some items of clothing should be left for the young ones!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
I have never worn leggings before this year. But I have given in and I love them now that I wear them. And I wear them as pants. I even have pull up jeans (unkindly called leggings). I’m far more comfortable and there is nothing untoward to be seen. Go the leggings!
Zita says
I am one who often sings the phrase ‘leggings are not pants!’ And am sorry to say you haven’t convinced me to change it! I think you are right that it can depend on the quality of the material but I am yet to see many people pull off the look successfully, and unfortunately in most cases, it’s the complete opposite. Walking being someone and being able to see right through their leggings to their underwear (and beyond ewww) is not a sight I want to see I’m sorry, and don’t even get me started on camel toe and g-strings! I applaud those people who obviously have the confidence I don’t but it’s not something you will ever see me wearing (except to the gym, but I think that’s kind of different)!
Leisa says
I think you look great in leggings! I wear leggings as pants too. I also wear them under skirts, under long tops/short tops or whatever I feel like on the day! I don’t care what anyone says. You should be able to wear whatever you’re comfortable in! 🙂
Ness says
I’m not really comfortable wearing leggings out and about, but that is just my own insecurities which I won’t project onto others. And you do look great in them. xo
Toni | 2 Aussie Travellers says
I think each to their own as I do with most things. There are plenty of rules we have to live by, I’m not going to worry about made up ones. That said I’m not a leggings as pants kind of girl myself althoug I do so love my leggings with a tunic and I’m building up a bit of a collection.