The world of leggings should not be entered into lightly. This current trend, resurrected from the eighties, can be a terrific fashion statement if worn correctly, or a total fashion disaster is worn incorrectly.

General guidelines for wearing leggings

Typically, leggings should be paired with a top that is less fitted than your leggings. When you pair a tight top and a tight bottom it can look a bit trashy. In choosing your top, be careful that it is not too loose, airy or bulky. If it is, you will be creating too much volume on your top half.  Combine this with a bottom half of tight fitting leggings and you will be sporting a silhouette that looks something like an ice cream cone or upside down bowling pin. Never a good look!

Although I believe the majority of women that read this blog would never even consider wearing their leggings with a top that doesn’t cover their hips and butt, I must tell you that if you were thinking of leaving your butt exposed with only the thin fabric of leggings to cover it, please think again. Leggings are not meant to be worn with tops that do not cover your hips. If you’re thinking “I have a great body and my butt will look so good in skin tight leggings” then I applaud you and your body and probably envy you some, but regardless, you should cover up that great looking butt of yours with a nice top.

Leggings can also be worn under dresses and mini skirts to an an extra interesting layer to your outfit. The color and style of the leggings should coordinate with your skirt or dress. Coordinate does not mean match though. Don’t be afraid to add color and pattern with your leggings.

The taller the better: it’s in the shoes!

One of the best things about leggings is their ability to dramatically lengthen your leg line. The place on your legs where your top falls determines how long your legs will look.  If you are petite, wearing a top that reaches half-way down your thigh or longer will make your legs appear shorter. If you are tall, you can get away with a longer top and keeping the length above the middle of the thigh will make you look even taller. (Even some tall women want to look taller. Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true)

The shoe you pair your leggings with is another factor in whether you look taller or shorter. Generally, leggings can be worn with flats, pumps, platforms, booties and boots. Here are the pros and cons of your shoe choices:

• Flats: Good choice for casaul outfits. Area where leggings end and shoe begins can break up long leg line created with leggings.
• Pumps: Great choice for a going out look. Again, area where leggings end and shoe begins can break up long leg line created with leggings.
• Platforms: Hot, trendy choice. Many of the new platform shoes are strappy and extend up to the ankle. These choices would extend the leg line and obscure the your open ankle.
• Booties: Another trendy look. Choose a bootie that is the same color as your leggings to create a seamless leg line. Booties that flare out at the ankles can look terrific but sometimes draw attention downward and can slightly breakup the leg line.
• Boot: Either ankle, knee or over the knee. This is my favorite way to wear leggings. You can’t beat the legline created when the boots are of the same color as the leggings. Even if the boots are flat, they make a striking and fashionable statement.

1) top too long 2) colorful top overwhelms leggings and leg line is lost 3) great way to wear leggings 4) adding a jacket is a great option 5) a sweater can add another layer to a leggings outfit

What to wear on top

When choosing a top to wear with your leggings, keep these things in mind:

• Tunics make great companions to leggings. Choose one that is longer than your hips but not as long as you knees. You want your top to be in proportion and not look as if it takes up 2/3 of your body. Also make sure it has some shape to it. You want to show off your curves, not cover them up. If your upper body is larger than your hips, you will need to add volume at the hip. A top that gathers at the hip or has an empire waist is a good option.
• A great cowl neck sweater makes works wonderfully with leggings. Make sure the sweater is fitted on the bottom. This will make a much more streamlined look and also add shape and show off your curves. V-neck, scoop neck and other sweater will work as well.
• Add a fitted jacket over a thin sweater or t-shirt. The jacket can be a blazer, boyfriend jacket, leather or cropped jacket. Just make sure it works with your proportions and adds shape. You do not want to look as if you are hiding your upper body under a large shapeless jacket. Also be careful if you are larger on top than at the hip, that the jacket you choose does not all bulk, either literally or visually. A cropped jacket may make your upper body look too large, without a proper balance at the hips.
• Adding a long cardigan sweater works similarly to adding a jacket yet creates a lighter and softer look.
• Bold printed tops are great but make sure they do not overwhelm the bottom part of you. If there is too much contrast between the top and bottom, you will lose the long lean line leggings can create.
• Belting a top or sweater is a terrific way to emphasize your waist and add interest to your outfit.

Now you have the information you need to add leggings to your wardrobe. Go forth and shop!

 

Tags: Dressing Your Body, Fashion Trends, leggings

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 24th, 2010 at 11:13 pm and is filed under Dressing Your Body, Fashion Trends . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.