Leggings – I practically live my life in these. I guess this is the case with most of us. One pair of black leggings, and we are sorted! Thank (fashion) gods for inventions like these. And, they have come a long way and took many forms from their inception. Even though a lot of other fads have come, leggings have weathered the storm and are here to stay. But, do we know-it-all?
best leggings for hiking turns out, after all these years, some of us still make rookie errors while pairing leggings.
And, that’s what we are going to discuss in detail. Check it and see for yourself where you stand in the leggings game.
How To Choose The Right Leggings
Choosing leggings might sound frivolous because it is the most versatile piece of clothing in our closet we can comfortably wear throughout the year. Yes, if you know the basics, it’s not such a big deal, but if you do not wear them correctly, you might just end up with a camel toe, which is a complete turn off! Eeeks! Most of us forget that leggings are not pants.
1. Size
Wearing the right legging size is the most important part of this puzzle. Leggings can neither be too tight nor too loose. Make sure they fit your body snugly without tracing the body shape/celluloid. They should also not be so loose that you end up looking sloppy. You can still get away with ill-fitted leggings if you pair them with tops that stretch way below the hips. Otherwise, it is quite an unpleasant sight.
To avoid any gaffes related to sizes, ensure you have your sizes right. Either measure it yourself or get it done at the store or from a professional. It is important because the sizes differ with brands and knowing your actual measurement will always help. Also, remember to err on the larger side if you are an ‘in-between’ of two sizes. For example, if you are somewhere in between M and L, go with L – or try both of them first before you buy the smaller size. Try a couple of brands just to be sure.
2. Length
As we already know, leggings come in various lengths. How and what you choose to wear them with is entirely a personal choice. However, just make sure the outfit looks like it has been put together well.
Full Length
They extend a little below your ankle, and most of them will give you soft pleats near the shins, depending on your height. These are usually worn under long Indian kurtis, tunics, flowing boho tops, or in winter (paired with boots).
3/4th Length
These go with short tops and are an easy option. Might not be a great choice for a formal set-up, but perfect for everything else. They stop at the calf muscle and the focus shifts there, so if you are not very confident about it, then ankle length might be your best bet.
Ankle Length
These are the sexiest of them all. Go with almost anything – slip dresses, tunics, jackets, coats, capes – you name it. Also, any or all kinds of footwear look equally good with these.
Knee Length
Mostly used as workout apparel – gym, yoga, walking, hiking, running or even for travel.
Stir Up Leggings
Stir up leggings are back in fashion, and we could not have been happier. Because we can never get enough of leggings, can we? You can practically style these with everything in your wardrobe.
Printed Leggings
Printed leggings are something we all need to invest in, and they add a little zing to your outfit. However, just make sure you try them on before you pick them up because most printed leggings look great on the hanger but fall flat when stretched on the body. A lot of this depends on your body size and type. Also, remember this ground rule – if the leggings are printed, the top needs to be plain. You can experiment with bold and contrast colors, but as far as prints are concerned, let the top be in monotone.