Rant: Leggings are lots of things, but trousers they are not.

POSTED BY Poppy Dinsey IN The Lust List @ September 2, 2011 - 11:12 am

I originally wrote this rant about leggings for Huffington Post. They never published it. Thanks for nothing, HuffPo! So here it is on WIWT. A bit different to my usual outfit posts, but worthy of publishing.

Leggings are lots of things, but trousers they are not.

I can’t pinpoint exactly when it happened, but within the last few years ‘someone’ decided leggings were making a comeback. It’s hardly surprising that the explosion in the popularity of leggings can’t be traced back to a particular designer, store or celebrity. Would you really want to admit that, yes, you were the one who inflicted this trend on the nation? That you were the one responsible for giving innocent bystanders a much un-needed insight into their fellow strangers’ cellulite issues? Or, better yet, a close anatomical look at their lady bits as they walk on by? It’s not something to be proud of.

I should point out that I am wearing leggings as I type this. But I’m also wearing a face mask (which, admittedly, I should have washed off 15 minutes ago) and I am bra-less. I am in my home, so it is OKAY. You can do a lot of things in the privacy of your own home and get away with it. I regularly try to push the boundaries with this; the internet is good for giving you ideas. But whilst the majority of us appreciate that the home is a sacred place for wandering about in our knickers and pretending we’re Beyonce, we wouldn’t liven up the commute home by walking around naked from the waist down.

And yet, and yet…my eyes are regularly being tortured by images verging on specialist pornography as women who haven’t got the “leggings are not trousers” memo continue to pound the pavements.

Leggings are not trousers.

I might just say that again, LEGGINGS ARE NOT TROUSERS.

Leggings are basically just 1000 denier tights. (I still don’t understand ‘denier’ so I am exaggerating for effect, but you can see my point). If you would happily go out in just a short top and tights, then by all means go ahead and go out in a short top and leggings. But if you think the thought of wearing tights as trousers is ludicrous, then you may need to rethink your relationship with our elasticised friends.

Far too often I am subjected to seeing every last detail of a woman’s backside (or worse – ‘front side’) because leggings are being worn as if they’re a pair of jeans. It’s not a size issue, leggings are unflattering on 99% of body shapes when seen in motion. This isn’t even a situation where we can say ‘What Would Tyra Do?’, as even Ms Banks has been papped in a pair. Posed cleverly on tippy toes with stomach pulled in and arse pushed out all sexy in the mirror (American Apparel advert styleey) it’s easy to convince yourself that leggings can be sexy, but it is A LIE.

I will fully concede that if you’re going for a laid back casual look, leggings can be a lifesaver under long line tops and mini dresses. But that’s the only example I can think of where it’s ok for an adult to wear them in public. And I certainly can’t think of a situation where capri leggings can ever be justified.  Except perhaps on a dancer, but dancers can also wear tutus and leotards and beaded bras in public – so they’re not the best example of clothing in everyday use.

Working from home most days means that I own more than my fair share of pyjama bottoms, track pants and, of course, leggings. I am the Queen of Elasticated Waistbands. If ‘Elasticated Waistbands’ had their own country, I would be on their stamps. But I know that they’re not for public consumption, especially once they get to the famous ‘see-through on the bum and baggy on the crotch stage’ – i.e their comfiest. I might wear them on my blog (shameless plug), but I don’t wear them on dates or to business meetings. Why? I’d rather the charming wobbly orange peel effect on my thighs came as a nice surprise once I’m naked, rather than a pre-warning whilst we’re still in the bar. (I should point out that that example applies to dates, I am yet to take my clothes off in a business meeting).

Need another reason to opt for skinny jeans (or ANY other kind of trouser) over leggings? According to world renowned scientific journal the Daily Mail, leggings can even make you fat. Something to do with making your muscles lazy, apparently. And if the Daily Mail says it then it must be true. *Ahem*.

Please can we all agree that leggings are not trouser alternatives? Yes, they’re comfy, but so are duvets draped across shoulders. (A look that I would happily rock on the high street, care to club together and make it a trend?). Leggings have their uses but must be approached with caution. It’s easy to cover your arse if you can’t bear to be rid of them, just COVER YOUR ARSE.