In my time, I have experienced a number of great debates. Most of them took place at the Melbourne Comedy Festival or on National TV with a worm around election time (or wait, I think that was a comedy too) but no debate has ever bought about such division as the Leggings as Pants (LAP) debacle.
Search the term on Twitter and you will find hundreds of LAP references – both for and against what seems to be a trend that can’t make up its mind. We go from leggings being a great transseasonal piece that can bridge the gap when the days are starting to cool down, to brands who have created ‘demin look’ leggings, designed to take the place of skinny jeans.
There is a time and a place for all fashion – I am not about to tell someone what they can or can’t wear, but when it comes to the LAP debate, I feel like I want to have a say. Because I have worn leggings as pants. Recently. And I have to say I kinda liked it.
The occasion was dinner with a friend. I can’t tell you where we dined – conclusions would immediately be jumped to about my life before I was a city dweller. I wore full length leggings as pants with a voluminous ruffled pink top and sky high gladiator platforms (think dior-esque SATC1). Appropriate accessories completed the look.
I tried the top with jeans first. With a skirt. With tailored shorts. It just wasn’t going to work – the volume of the top needed something to balance it and I just couldn’t leave the house looking oversized and frumpy. LAP streamlined the look, the heels added height and made my legs look slimmer, the top became a feature rather than a faux pas.
While I am advocating the LAP look in some circumstances, it is true that not everyone can pull it off, no matter what the magazines tell you. Heels are absolutely essential and if I see anyone with a VPL they shall be immediately sentenced to life in fashion lockup. Tights or opaque stockings are not leggings and should not be worn as such. Don’t wear a super tight top with LAP – the look will be more skanky than sophisticated and above all, wear it with confidence! Don’t slouch or fade into the background, hold your head high and make your mark on the fashion world.
Diane von Furstenberg Pitonesa Top in Miranda Ruffles (White), $225, shown paired with the Under Leggings in Berry
Visit www.dvf.com
Authors note. Wet look leggings are not okay under any circumstances. Ever.
Never say never is my answer.
As a rule I am not a fan of the look but there are times when it works.
I think it has to be judged on a case by case basis because a blanket no on anything can be wrong for some situations.
That’s a really non committal answer I realise but it’s the best answer I can give.
PS: stockings and tights are NOT leggings and they are NOT ok as pants
I’m looking at you girl in the city wearing a crop top and black stockings with a white G string underneath – hookers cover themselves up more!
Oh and your shoes sound stunning!
Were you wearing a longish top though?
There’s an *ahem* modesty issue at stake. Once that issue is taken care of, as long as the legging are thick it’s fine.
PS I think the original sleek wet look leggings were hot. The crappy cheapo shiny copies not so much.
Great post Sarah!
I am generally against the LAP debate, i am forever pointing out offenders to my mum/boyfriend/sister/who ever will listen…!! I do, however, agree with whatevershesaid, and say that i can judge on a case-by-case basis….Your outfit sounds fab, and im sure you had a decent pair of leggings on to be able to pull it off…!!