What’s not to love about leggings?
They’re comfortable. They hold everything in. They’re great at making lazy outfits look sleek and stylish. They’re inexpensive. And there’s something so retro fabulous about them.
I for one am a huge fan.
But one of the most prolific fashion rule to emerge over the last few years is the danger of wearing a pair of leggings as pants. From Blair Waldorf to Conan O’Brien, it seems like everyone has a passionate opinion on the right way to wear this humble garment.
But as with most pressing debate in life, nothing is black and white. What if you’re wearing a tunic? What about running tights or yoga gear? What’s the rule on jeggings? Aren’t really tight pants pretty much the same thing?
Is it ever OK to wear leggings as pants? Or, why is wearing leggings as pants so frowned upon?
I’ve researched both sides of the argument, and have developed a few guidelines of my own to help steer me in the direction of what I feel good and confident wearing. After you read, leave a comment and tell us where you weigh in on this argument. Ready to debate this out? Read on, girlfriends!
Related reading: How to Wear Leggings: The Ultimate Guide to Cute Leggings Outfits
Table of Contents
Arguments In Favor of Leggings As Pants
With heavy fabrics, interesting styles, and the popularity of “skinny” cut pants, it’s understandable why some people would embrace the idea of wearing leggings as pants.
First of all, they’re super comfortable. The elastic waistline will feel good on your body all day long, no matter if you’re sitting at a desk studying for finals or lounging on a couch watching movies with your girlfriends. I love each and every pair of jeans that I own, but nothing compares to the stretchy goodness that a nice pair of cotton leggings can provide.
Second, a quality pair can support your hips and backside enough to function as a pair of pants. As long as the leggings are thick and supportive, I don’t see a need to discriminate against a piece just because it’s less structured than others.
Also, leggings have been a staple of chic girls’ wardrobes for decades. Remember how beautiful Audrey Hepburn looked in her signature pair of cropped ankle-length leggings and ballet flats, paired with a crisp white button-down shirt, or a black turtleneck? My mind also goes to ’80s bombshells like Cyndi Lauper and Paula Abdul wearing brightly-colored, high-cut leggings with spikey stilettos. The legging is such a cool throwback item!
Lastly, you have to admit that the right pair of leggings can make you feel super sexy and ultra cool. Both the shiny and matte lamé leggings from American Apparel are so badass that just wearing a pair will make you feel like Catwoman! Dark-colored leggings are very flattering and will make your legs look miles long, especially when worn with a pair of heels.
Related reading: The Best Leggings Outfits for Work
Arguments Against Leggings As Pants
On the flipside, I can definitely understand why many girls regard leggings as pants as a huge fashion faux pas.
Generally, leggings aren’t the most supportive piece in your closet. They’re easy to spot panty lines though, and they don’t do the best job of, well, giving your tush the lift and shape it deserves.
Second, not to get super graphic or anything, but, well, wearing leggings as pants puts you in the danger zone of accidentally ending up with a frontal wedgie-type situation. Wardrobe malfunctions are never a thing you want to spend the day worrying about. They’re distracting to think about, not to mention pretty awkward — for both for you and whoever happens to witness them.
Another big reason some girls are against leggings as pants involves the potential for revealing too much. If the leggings aren’t thick and opaque, they can easily be see-through, and if said see-through leggings aren’t covered by an appropriately long top, they can give passersby a full-on view of your anatomy. This isn’t a fashion statement that most of us want to make, nor is it something we want to be subjected to on our 7AM walk to class.
Lastly, wearing leggings as a pair of pants is just…well, a tad bit lazy. Not that that’s totally a bad thing — obviously, if you’re studying and just vegging out with friends, looking sharp isn’t going to be your first priority. But, some girls liken leggings to sweatpants or yoga pants, and think they should be saved for days that you’re running late or feeling a little under the weather. While I definitely think leggings are usually better than wearing sweatpants or (yikes) pajamas in public, I can see where it’d be a little bit sloppy to constantly wear them.
Finally — My Tips and Tricks For Rocking Leggings as Pants
Taking the best of both worlds, I’ve compiled a few rules of thumb for rocking a pair of leggings. Check them out below! (And for more, see our post on how to wear leggings.)
- This is very obvious, but the safest way to wear leggings is with a tunic that hits about mid-thigh. This way, you’ll get the look of leggings, but still have plenty of hip, butt, and crotch coverage. Always a good thing!
- If you want to be bold and wear leggings with a thigh-grazing top, be sure to go for styles with thick, opaque fabric and a good amount of support. Like I mentioned before, the very stretchy lamé versions from American Apparel are a small miracle.
- I know this is kind of awkward to talk about, but you want to make sure to have full coverage (and at least an inch or two of some wiggle room) covering your crotch. This part of the equation is completely non-negotiable.
- However, if you happen to be so bold, you can be a little more relaxed about how covered your backside is. Of course, this depends on how comfortable you are with your body, your personal body shape, how thick and structured your leggings are, and what sort of a top you’re wearing. If you have doubts, recruit an honest friend to tell you how you look.
- Jeggings are tricky. Some of them look just like real jeans, so it’s sort of a delicate line to walk. Personally, I find them to be a little to thin and unsupportive to wear with shirts shorter than tunic length, but if you have a great pair that you love, more power to you!
- Dark-colored leggings are absolutely the most flattering. I’m not saying they can’t be worn, but I’ve yet to see a pair of white or nude-colored leggings look right.
- For a relaxed yet chic look, pair cotton leggings with riding boots and an oversized knit sweater. Finish with a top knot or a loose side braid.
- Leggings are the perfect thing to pair with a dress that’s just a little bit too short to wear alone. If your dress is getting close to knee length, though, opaque tights will look much more chic with it than leggings.
- For a sexy look perfect for a night on the town, pair stretchy lamé or coated leggings with a longish tank top or silky blouse. Finish with edgy jewelry, your tallest pair of heels, and a box clutch.
- Wear black leggings with a chambray button-down and wedges for a breezy model off duty sort of look.
- If you dare to wear a regular-length top with a pair of leggings, balance it out with a long scarf and cardigan. You could also channel the ’90s and tie a sweater or shirt around your waist for coverage.
How do you feel about leggings as pants?
What are your thoughts on wearing leggings as pants? Would you ever wear leggings with a regular-length shirt? Do you think leggings come off as too casual for many occasions? What are the rules you follow to avoid a faux pas? Where do you fall on the legging debate continuum? We want to know how you feel about this issue! Let us know with a comment!
I think the real meaning behind leggings as pants is those people who DON’T wear shirts long enough to cover their butts and camel toes, and that no one has a problem with leggings as pants if you wear a tunic.
Personally, as long as my butt and any potential camel toe are covered I’m fine with leggings as pants. I don’t think tunics or dresses are an absolute necessity as long as you’re not being trashy and putting everything out in the open. A great tip is to buy long tanks from somewhere like H&M so they will hide your butt and give you a little more coverage!
I think the key to making leggings work in public is proportion!
I personally am known to throw on leggings as pants on my rushed mornings or cold days and I have actually seen many girls pull off the look.
But just look at the photos at the top of the article. All the women are wearing leggings as pants, but they are also all wearing looser tops that don’t show off too much.
I think that a pair of leggings can look fantastic with an oversize sweatshirt, long loose knit sweater, a nice shirt and cardigan but i don’t think it can ever look “right” with a tight shirt.
I used to be absolutely against wearing leggings as pants, but after finding a pair that go with everything, I find myself wearing my faux leather leggings as pants religiously. I usually only wear them as pants if I have a longer top.
Leggings are not pants! Pants are pants! Leggings are an undergarment. Even if you like to expose yourself in this way, to get a more removed social perspective, consider this: would you ever let your daughter leave the house while forgetting to put on real clothes? If you like the for the ease or comfort, just throw on sweatpants; they require the same or even less effort and they properly clothe the body, even if they still look sloppy.
I’m comfortable with my body–in fact, I love my body! But that doesn’t mean I show it to everyone! No way would I wear leggings as pants.
Audrey Hepburn didn’t wear leggings. She wore hot pants. Hot pants are similar to leggings except they are high rise (belly button height) and are usually made of thicker fabric. Hot pants are a great alternative to leggings, and look particularly good on short girls with little waists because they accentuate the middle and elongate the legs. The thickness prevents any see-through-ness or crouch problems, though panty lines may still be an issue.
I have no idea why more people don’t wear them. They’re as comfortable as leggings, but you can wear them with crop tops or tucked in shirts without exposing too much. They’re not even expensive. I’ve found pairs at Target and Forever 21.
***Originally, the term “hot pants” referred to very short tight high waisted shorts, but since longer versions were created those are now just called hot shorts.
example: http://www.motelrocks.com/shop/products/Motel-Donna-High-Waist-Zip-Front-Hot-Pants-in-New-Black-White.html
Sara, awesome link, CF should have probably posted that for everyone to see.
I like leggings as pants, but they have to be a very specific pair and type and quality of leggings paired with a very specific type and length of shirt. All the example pictures you have above seem okay to me, although the shirts in 2 and 4 seem a bit short for how much bum leggings show off. A good quality pair of leggings can look good one anyone of any body type, just the same as a bad pair of leggings can look really bad on anyone.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/amyodell/23-reasons-leggings-are-the-worst
this link provides most of the reasons why I don’t wear leggings as pants
thank you so much for the article. i stopped wearing leggings a while ago because i was so disgusted of how some girls look on them. i agree with every thing you said and i wish every girl out there can read this article. great job!
I can’t stand seeing women wear legging with a top that isn’t long enough to cover their butt and front area because I think it is plain lazy and unfashionable. If girls want to wear leggins with a short top do so at home.
I think leggings as pants are ok with a long tunic top, but I’ve never seen them look flattering with a shorter top. Skinny jeans or thick jeggings are worlds better.
I think the main rule as others have said is to make sure it covers your lady bits (lol), your butt, and possibly part of your thighs that perhaps jiggle a little more than other areas.
Now I’m not knocking on heavier girls, I myself am officially unfit and average weight (now been going back to the gym though!…I’m a used to be fit girl who hit grad school enough said lol), but I’ve also noticed that leggings as main legwear does not do so well for women with more jiggle than tone in the legs…it just doesn’t do that type of girl justice. There’s nothing wrong in the belief of “big and beautiful” but I believe that means choosing things that make you look good for your body. I used to wear leggings with tunics all the time for example but now that I’m really un-toned in my thighs, legs etc. I don’t so much anymore. On the otherhand there are bigger girls who are extremely toned and fit and leggings look amazing on them so specifically what I mean is stay away if they don’t support your legs and allow for lots of jiggling with every step. Jeggings for example provide much better support (a good quality pair) than the 10 dollar pair of leggings.
I’ve always said no to wearing leggings as pants…however those photos that you lead with, their outfits were so cute! I know this might sounds a little judgmental but I think it depends on your body type. Not everyone can do this, the girls in the photo yes but everyone that actually ends up wearing them in daily lives mostly shouldn’t be half the time. Sorry but we were all thinking it! It’s a good topic to blog about because everyone has an opinion about this and they are usually very passionate about it!
i’m still in high school and almost every girl i know wears leggings as pants! i live in canada, where its too cold for shorts and skirts even in spring, so leggings are a cute, simple, and weather-friendly way to cover up without COVERING up (do i make sense?) i think as long as covering your front and your butt isn’t “eating” the fabric, you’re good to go. i own four pairs of forever 21 black leggings that i wear 98% of the time haha!