[Fashion Alert] Like it or not - Leggings as Pants!

source: http://www.sportsgirl.com.au/site_media/photologue/photos/leggings_.jpg

Leggings are a must-have basic clothing item that suit everyone! They're made out of diverse fabrics, available in every colour, with and without patterns or cut outs and on top of that they're super comfy! 

However there is a trend going around the globe that some like and some think is a crime against every fashion sense...

~ Mary ~

Above all, let me put emphasis on the fact that fashion is and will stay a personal matter. You decide whether to you a trend is fashionable or not. I'm not judging anyone. However this is my opinion on the topic Leggings As Pants?!

During our stay in London, this trend really caught my attention...in a negative way that is.

sources: http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvhu2mb6wR1qmgw1m.jpg
http://whatpoppywore.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/leggings2.jpg

In the pictures above you can see some no-go examples. Wearing leggings as pants (especially in light colours) can emphasize your butt and thighs which does not necessarily look flattering. Worst case: White leggings and a pair of tight panties underneath that cause some serious panty lines...not a pleasant view, not at all. And just to clear out all misunderstandings: This matter has nothing to do with body shapes. In the pictures above the women happen to be on the curvier side but even on a supermodel's body leggings as pants look all wrong to me. 

Having your butt cheeks exposed to the world is sexy? No, not in my eyes. Being sexy is not all about exposing. Mind the saying: Sometimes less is more. Go ahead and show some legs but keep your butt out of the show!

Some of you might have also heard of the "cameltoe" phenomenom. For all of you who have never ever heard of it before: Leggings fitting all tight on you will naturally not only emphasize your backside but also your "frontside" making your vagina look just like a camel's toe. Now tell me, what is sexy about a camel's toe?! Have you ever looked at a camel's feet thinking that it looks sexy?! If you did then...I don't know what to think of that. 

Anyways be it the front or the backside of this leggings-as-pants look, neither angle looks appealing to me.

jeggings, source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_veIh-90KI/Tc3RmYDVuBI/AAAAAAAAABE/7U1gJbsn970/s1600/jeggings.jpg

But hey, if you really really really still intend to try out this trend then I recommend you to stick to leggings that have a very prominent pattern. The crazier the pattern the more it will distract attention from your actual body shape. Also try to find leggings that have a little bit of a texture to them. For example leggings made out of cotton but having leather/pleather details going on (especially on the upper part). This will make them appear more like actual pants and less like plain tights/underwear. 

Another recommendation I'd like to make is to try wearing jeggings instead of leggings. Basically those are a mixture of jeans/pants and leggings. They're normally made out of a light, elastic, jeans-like fabric and have pockets on the back as well as a fake zipper detailing in the front. Jeggings are extremely comfortable to wear and create the illusion of having actual pants on.

"right" legging looks, sources: http://images.luvimages.com/luvphotos/t/tweed_blazer_leggings_and_knee_high_boots-2567.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3353/4646394884_6bb9359e27_z.jpg
http://images2.chictopia.com/photos/heyla/11172705190/brown-alectonyx-t-shirt-dress_400.jpg

However if you do it "right" leggings can look super sexy! Worn under a longer hem shirt or a tshirt dress, leggings visiually elongate and slim down your legs. Best case: dark coloured leggings or leggings with "flattering" patterns like vertical stripes. Put on a pair of heels or boots on top of that and you're good to go! 

a bad example and a good example for a legging-as-pants look,
sources: http://xxxmissvxxx.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/leggins.jpg
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/628/leggings1us7.jpg

In the end you'll have to judge yourself. Like it or not - Leggings as Pants!