I still find it hard to accept leggings around the world, no matter the context. Do I need to get over it and acknowledge that, in the spirit of body pride and freedom, it is the way of the world that everyone, of all ages, should acknowledge tights as a reality? Are there any rules about when you can and can’t use them anymore? — Rhona, Philadelphia
There is no doubt that the transition to leggings as lifewear that was underway before Covid was, like so many other phenomena (online shopping! hybrid working!), fast forward during the pandemic. Suddenly, even those of us who fell into the non-pants leggings camp and viewed them as gym gear are beginning to see the advantage of lounging at home in what are essentially thicker leggings.
And once you get used to that… well, it’s hard to go back, even when we all go back into public life.
In fact, when I asked Tory Burch, who as the power behind her namesake label and Tory Sport, has thought a lot about how clothing and tights fit together, what she thought, she said, “I’m always amazed by the tights debate. At this point, they are as essential in our wardrobe as t-shirts and blue jeans. Mixing them with ready-to-wear is just how a lot of women dress today, whether they’re going to the gym or not.”
That said, not all leggings are created equal. Just like sneakers, tights can (no pun intended) run the gamut from performance apparel to professional attire. Which ones you use when they matter. And as with most things in life, so does context.
For example, more technical and tech-patterned lycra styles, the kind that telegraph, “I’m going to SoulCycle, and I’m going to smash it today,” are probably best left for the sports they’re intended for. . Otherwise, you run the risk of looking like you might slip into downward facing dog or camel pose as soon as work gets stressful.
But thicker leggings, which are available in neoprene, leather, stretchy ponte, and even denim (yes, I’m talking jeggings, but how far have they gone!) are like leggings, mainly because they have an elastic waistband and an element of stretch. stretch and can slip more easily into the everyday wardrobe. Some even have a little bell at the ankle, which gives them the smell of pants.
Which brings me to how you use them. When it comes to shims in non-traditional shim configurations, it all depends on how you frame them.
For example, don’t wear your tights with a t-shirt, bra, or sneakers in a non-training setting, whether it’s a coffee shop, restaurant, workplace, movie theater, plane, whatever. Also, don’t wear them with an oversized button-down shirt unless you’re deliberately trying to channel the 1980s.
Instead, think of them more like capri pants but don’t offer the option to tuck in your shirt. Pair them with ballerinas, chunky soled loafers or ankle boots and a tailored jacket or maybe a tunic. You won’t look like you’re breaking any unwritten dress code. Just…well, stretching them out.
Your style questions, answered
Each week on Open Thread, Vanessa will answer a reader’s fashion-related question, which you can send her at any time via email or Twitter. Questions are edited and condensed.
Source: www.nytimes.com