Performancing Metrics

11.04.2011

How to Wear Leggings

Shirt: Gap, Vest: Lit Boutique, Leggings: Kohl's, Boots: vintage Walter Steiger, Belt: H&M, Earrings: Toots & Magoo, Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters, Cuff: c/o Ann Taylor
It seems like leggings are everywhere - they came back, and they stayed back. I admit, I was skeptical at first, but I've come to embrace leggings, styled properly and worn in the proper situation. I recently received a reader request asking for some ideas on how to wear the leggings / tall boots look, so I put together a few pointers!

The most essential factor is the leggings themselves. You want them to fit tightly, though not circulation-stifling. Conversely, avoid pairs that are too loose; it's not going to look good if they're slouching on your legs. 

Fabric is also important! If you can see your skin (even a little bit) through the leggings, then you should think of them as tights. And tights are not pants! I cannot stress this enough - when purchasing leggings, try them on, or at least put your hand inside the fabric so you can determine the thickness of the weave. Many cotton leggings are thick enough, but you can also look for leggings in wool, and, if you want to feel really luxurious, cashmere. 

Dress: thrifted, Sweater, swapped, Leggings: Kohl's, Boots: vintage Walter Steiger, Necklace: Shop Mamie, Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters, Watch: Michael Kors
Once you've settled on leggings, it's time to style the rest of your outfit. Keep your tops long and somewhat loose; leggings and tanks or crop tops are for the gym only! If you pair them with a longer tee, add a scarf, sweater or jacket to keep the look from becoming too sloppy.

Leggings work well for layering - pair them with a dress that would otherwise be scandalously too short (like the photo above) for a look that is lesson in style, not anatomy.

A flat or low-heeled tall boot is perfect paired with leggings - it offers some coverage on the leg and helps balance out proportions. Ankle boots of varied heights can work, too, just make sure the legging is tucked in. I prefer to match the color of my legging to the color of my short boot. 

Like these tips? Want to get a great pair of leggings? Here are a few suggestions on where to purchase
See more How To's on the TBF How To page

Keep up with TBF! Bloglovin' | Subscribe via Email | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest
Shirt: Forever 21, Sweater: Ann Taylor, Leggings: Kohl's, Boots: vintage Walter Steiger, Necklace: Shop Calico, Necklace: Bridesmaid gift, Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters, Watch: Michael Kors

How do you like to wear leggings? Have you found a great brand or style?

Follow my blog with bloglovin

38 comments :

  1. I like to wear leggings. I wear them with short dresses that are toooo short :D or with long sweater.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kristen, great tips and your outfits look fab! My favorite leggings are the Danskin ones. The right amount of tightness and thickness. Happy Friday!

    ReplyDelete
  3. @Lissy Danskin! Yes! Great idea, Lissy!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hahaha TIGHTS REALLY ARE NOT PANTS - how many times have we seen these on the streets?

    You look amazing - thanks for the leggings tips! I love the ones I got from Aritzia in Toronto way back. They've not faded or stretched out in the least.

    ReplyDelete
  5. good advice! I only wear leggings with longer shirts or little dresses. I wish more people would take that advice!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love a good pair of tights. Quality is everything. It's so true. If I see one more girl in tights but no pants I think my head might implode.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous11/04/2011

    I, too, was skeptical about tights/leggings initially; now, I don't know what I'd do without them. Good ideas, here!

    www.chillairandperfume.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ooh that last look is one of my favorites! I totally agree with you - we should really all do our part to stress the fact that tights are not pants!

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend! :)

    -j
    sorelle in style

    ReplyDelete
  9. You know, it seems like common sense to try on leggings and make sure they aren't too sheer but man, do so many people make this mistake. You want to tell them....but how does one bring that up? Great tips!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the looks you chose! I love leggings and happily invested in a great, thick pair! Awesome post girl!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I simply love these leggings!
    Love your blog btw.

    -Jaz
    http://summerlilacs.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous11/05/2011

    Great legging tips. I love the way you styled them. I agree about thickness of the tights and length of the top. So crucial!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Loving all 3 looks but i think the 3rd is my fave! And I guess i need to take a trip to Kohl's this week...cord leggings are calling my name!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh thank you thank you! I love that you posted places to buy Leggings. Looks like I'll be hitting up Kohls soon!
    Now if you find a place that sells LONG tshirt/tunics - please promise to tell us. Finding a shirt long enough to cover up my booty is definitely a challenge. Until then I'll be pairing my leggings with short dresses!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi. You look awesome. You have paired with boots.

    Check out my style. Even I am wearing leggings?

    Really nice blog? Do you wanna follow one another?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love your legging outfits. I like American Apparel's leggings. I wear them with tunics, dresses and skirts with boots and flats - so comfortable!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great post, and I totally agree with all of your points... I was also pretty skeptical about leggings when they first came back, but now I consider them something of a staple: you just have to be careful what you wear with them!

    ReplyDelete
  18. @Erin Blair Gobin That's definitely troublesome - especially since pretty much ALL shirts are long on me since I am 5'2". Baggy sweaters will also work well...

    ReplyDelete
  19. i LOVE this post! it drives me insane when grown women where leggings as pants, they are not pants!! there are definitely lots of fun ways to wear them tho and be appropriate! i love your options :)

    brittany

    prettylittlevintage

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great tip ideas of how to wear leggings lady!! But can I tell you how crazy in love I am with you boots. They're absolutely gorgeous.

    Thx for the tips.


    <3 Marina
    Fashion.MakeUp.LifeStyle

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great post! Can you make this into a PSA? Most people don't seem to know how to wear leggings appropriately...

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love leggings! They are great for transitioning items!
    Shasie of Live Life in Style

    ReplyDelete
  23. Everyone needs to read this. These are great tips that every girl rocking a pair of leggings should know. Great blog! Love seeing this coming from the Boston area, it's great to see what's trending.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous1/25/2013

    whoah this blog is wonderful i love studying your posts.
    Stay up the great work! You recognize, many persons are hunting round for this info, you could help them greatly.
    Here is my web page - http://radio.vop.co.kr/xe/index.php?category=120&listStyle=webzine&document_srl=4275&mid=free&cpage=1

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous1/25/2013

    Hi there to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more from this website, and your views are pleasant in
    support of new users.
    Feel free to surf my web blog - http://www.examiner.com/article/the-many-email-options-local-community-college-students-have

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous3/01/2013

    Does your site have a contact page? I'm having problems locating it but, I'd like to send you
    an email. I've got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it improve over time.

    Have a look at my weblog :: active adult communities maryland

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous3/02/2013

    I tend not to drop a great deal of responses, but I read a ton of
    remarks on this page "How to Wear Leggings".
    I do have a few questions for you if you don't mind. Could it be simply me or do some of the comments look like they are written by brain dead visitors? :-P And, if you are writing on additional places, I would like to follow you. Would you list of the complete urls of all your social networking pages like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?

    my website ... adoption poems and quotes family
    My web site :: actors studio jim carrey

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous5/05/2013

    I couldn't refrain from commenting. Exceptionally well written!

    Feel free to visit my website :: click here for gay hardcore porn

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous5/20/2013

    Glow Thursdays at Lima now allow and 18 and over crowd.
    Around the world he's celebrated for his live light and music extravaganzas, many of which have had audiences of one million or more, and his concerts have set and broken world records for number of attendees. Reznor has been commercially successful without compromising his art and is widely considered an electronic musical genius in his own right.

    Here is my web site Jean Michel Jarre Discography Free Download

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous5/29/2013

    Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though
    you relied on the video to make your point.
    You definitely know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something informative to read?


    Feel free to surf to my site :: live hotmail

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous6/03/2013

    Properly, I salute your time spent, but the essential to some
    far better? schooling system that will likely be sustainable within the
    future (when there is more to learn), is to cut down the amount of time needed to understand X quantity.
    We need to be obtaining memory-competition winners and the intelligent
    folks who write the journals as lecturers over the net (just watch
    videos of each of the biggest educators, the greatest educators use voice, tone, body
    language etc to communicate a idea). A factory need to
    always make much more with much less.

    Here is my web blog; 60 Minute Stamina Secret

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous6/06/2013

    Key features include the ability to retweet, follow, unfollow friends, send direct messages, manage
    multiple Twitter accounts and so much more. From suspense heightening
    horror to sweeping orchestral movements popularised by epic adventure films to classic Broadway
    sounds, music fills our collective consciousness every bit
    as much as the films they're composed for. Poor Little Fool - 1958 Although Rick's
    first #1 single, he reportedly loathed the song so much, he refused to perform it on
    his family's television show.

    Here is my weblog ... Weekly Top 20 Music

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous6/08/2013

    ll see much better results with this diet plan than you would with
    others that use some generic formula to calculate your nutrient needs.
    The 62 page Somanabolic Weight Training program
    that details the specific workouts you need to
    do depending on your somatotype (body type) in order to pack on
    lean muscle mass. At duration for just a very limited
    time time period, it'll be incorporated a unique plan that will produce complete ''mirror magic'' for your entire body within seven days.

    My page :: somanabolic muscle maximizer review

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous6/08/2013

    ll see much better results with this diet plan than you would
    with others that use some generic formula to calculate your nutrient needs.
    Check out this article instantly to determine for yourself.

    It will never feature large degrees of filler information, or even lengthy
    explanations.

    Have a look at my web-site: Muscle Maximizer Reviews

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous6/09/2013

    Getting rich is not the result of saving, or "thrift"; many
    very penurious people are poor, while free spenders often get rich.
    *Viral Resistance: As a reader, my biggest concern when I download from the net, is the transference
    of viruses. You don't have to add that you are also being a cheapskate, or maybe you could take advantage of a teachable moment about sticking to a budget.

    Here is my blog post - free pdf ebook download

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous6/12/2013

    One of the great things regarding standard custom themes is that they could be bought
    online and be arranged for automatic delivery. For FREE weekly articles go to
    Sylvia Browder's Blog for Women Entrepreneurs, She can be contacted at info@nawomenrise. But, if you want to one day replace your full time job, the way to do.

    My webpage; wordpress exit cash machine

    ReplyDelete
  37. I enjoy dressing in leggings. I pair them with extremely short outfits. this outfits we wear These are the clothes we wear when traveling to Dubai. if you want to do your trip is more special so book your tour Desert Safari Dubai .

    ReplyDelete
  38. If you are an adventure seeker Dubai should be on your pick-up list. Book your tour today with us morning desert safari Dubai .

    ReplyDelete