By Danielle Tepper
Yes, it’s the season to keep warm and look great—while showing off your legs!
Nothing helps you do that better than textured leggings or patterned tights. Smart Style Girls always have plenty of both tucked away in their clothing caches, ready to whip out at a moment’s notice. And make no mistake about it there is a difference in the terminology. A “legging” is more of a structured pant option. We have seen this look on celebs like Rhianna and Sienna Miller. These styles are durable and versatile, and usually made from a heavier weight material including leather and Spandex. They can vary in texture (i.e. animal print, mock crock) and in length; everything from scrunched at the ankle to cropped just below the knee. Unlike, tights though, leggings usually stop at the ankle with the exception being the stirrup legging.
Please avoid the fashion faux pas of trying to pass off a stretch workout pant with a legging. Horrors! This is never a good thing to do. Try Victoria’s Secret catalogue for sexy and comfy adaptations in velour. Juicy Couture also carries the type of leggings you would want to wear out for a night on the town. Adventurous girls will love the color options available now, but you still need at least one pair of black leggings in your wardrobe at all times.
Leggings can turn any outfit into something comfy, yet chic. Designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Missoni, and Chloe, among many others, have included this look in their fall runway collections, making the trend bigger than ever.
For those of you who find leggings to be quite the opposite of flattering for your body shape, fear not, because patterned tights can do wonders for your curves. Try jewel-toned colors with chunky platforms or peep-toe pumps and layer with your favorite tops. Tights are the ancestor of pantyhose. They stretch over the entire foot and leg and can be much more sheer than a legging.
The options here are endless: Give your little black dress a makeover with some lacy legs; embrace your country side with wintry plaid; pair a business suit with pinstripe tights; horizontal stripes are back; modernize your denim mini-skirt with solid black tights and the classic white shirt or add extra flair to a conservative pleated skirt; keep your transitional dresses out longer by wearing tights underneath with platforms.
