LEGGINGS-
FRIEND...
OR FOE?


ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, THE LEGGINGS TREND CAME ABOUT IN 1983....JUST ABOUT THE SAME TIME THAT THE RUBICS CUBE WAS, ALLEGEDLY, ENTERTAINING PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD AND PRECISELY TWO YEARS BEFORE MY PARENTS GOT NOT ONE, BUT TWO SURPRISES. (*MY MOM DIDN'T EXACTLY PLAN ON HAVING MY SISTER, KATIE... AND 7 MONTHS INTO THE PREGNANCY, THE DOCTOR FOUND ANOTHER SURPRISE- A BONUS BABY- MOI!- HIDING BEHIND MY MOTHER'S RIB CAGE. I HAD GONE UNDETECTED BECAUSE OUR HEARTS WERE BEATING IN UNISON... CUTE STORY, HUH? UNFORTUNATELY IT HAS NO RELEVANCE TO THIS BLOG ENTRY TOPIC*)

2 YEARS AFTER LEGGINGS MADE THEIR DEBUT, THE TREND HAD CAUGHT ON AND SEEMED TO BE A PERMANENT FIXTURE IN MID EIGHTIES STYLE. BACK WHEN I WAS SPORTIN' A DIAPER, WOMEN OF ALL AGES WERE ROCKIN' OUT IN THEIR LEGGINGS. A MIXTURE OF LYCRA, COTTON AND SPANDEX THAT WAS FORM FITTING WITH JUST THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF GIVE YET STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT AND SUCK IN ALL THE RIGHT (OR WRONG?) PLACES REPLACED THE BLUE JEAN AND BECAME THE NUMBER ONE GO-TO ACCESSORY TO COMPLETE THE 80'S ROCKER CHICK LOOK *THINK MADONNA, LIKE A VIRGIN- BLACK LEGGINGS UNDERNEATH A PINK FROO FROO TOO-TOO AND FISH NET BLACK GLOVES*

TWO DECADES LATER, THE LEGGINGS TREND MADE IT'S WAY BACK INTO OUR LIVES- AND WITH AVENGANCE. WOMEN EVERYWHERE ARE OPTING OUT OF BELL BOTTOMS, BOOT CUTS AND STRAIGHT LEGS AND INSTEAD CHOOSING LEGGINGS TO COMPLETE THEIR OUTFITS- LONG TEE SHIRTS, SHORT DRESSES AND SKIRTS, IN THE WINTER WITH UGGS, IN THE SUMMER WITH FLIP FLOPS, LACE LEGGINGS FOR A NIGHT ON THE TOWN, COTTON LEGGINGS FOR A WINDOW SHOPPING AFTERNOON- ANY SEASON- ANY EVENT- LEGGINGS ARE NOW LESS A TREND AND MORE A WAY OF LIFE.

BUT ALONG WITH ANY TREND THAT HOLDS STAYING POWER, THERE COMES RULES- DO'S AND DON'T's THAT WE MUST ABIDE BY SO THAT WE CAN BE A FAHIONISTA AND NOT A FASHION VICTIM.

"IS MY SHIRT TOO SHORT?"
Whether you're a size 2 or a size 22, leggings look great with long tees, tanks and sweaters- that is, if these tops COVER YOUR ASS (and then some). Know a quick trick for deciding whether or not your top is appropriate to sport with a pair of leggings? Stand up straight and place your arms to your sides- if your top reaches the ends of your finger tips or extends up to 2 inches past your finger tips, you are good to go! *This trick also works when deciding whether or not your dress/skirt is too short. If your hem line falls at or above the end of your fingertips, you are treading some dangerous water and granny panties are a strong recommendation in case of any Lindsay/Britney/Paris moments*

"IS MY DRESS TOO LONG?"
Yes, leggings go with just about everything- but leggings should not be ABUSED. If you are wearing a knee length or longer dress, what is the point in hiding your shins with leggings? Unless it's January in the middle of a blizzard and you are wearing leggings for warmth. Then and only then is this justifiable.

"PLAIN OR PATTERNED WITH PLAINS OR PATTERNS?"
Solid colored leggings are the most common and easiest to pair with tops, dresses, skirts, boots, pumps, flip flops, etc. Black, Navy, Brown, Off white- you name it, they make it! And you can easily pair it with a plain top or a patterned top- ruffly, lacy, layered, or just simple tops make for a cute look and comfortable outfit. The newest trend is patterned leggings. Florals, plaids, animal print, polka dots, lace- you name it, they make it. When paired with a plain top, these patterned leggings look cute and super trendy and help bring a little oomph to an otherwise simple pairing. *Beware of wearing a patterned shirt with patterned leggings- you will 9 times out of 10 look like an optical illusion*

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Leggings are all the rage these days, and after you've worn them a few times, it's hard to get back in the routine of squeezing yourself into jeans every morning. Because of their comfort, versatility, and staying power (afterall, they survived the 80's and are now stronger than ever!) leggings are a girls new BEST FRIEND (and the denim industries biggest enemy!)

Leggings can range from 7 bucks to 30 bucks in most department stores. Marshalls, TJ Maxx and stores like Forever 21 sell leggings for dirt cheap- they are comfortable and last just as long as the expensive leggings (like the ones found at American Apparel) and consist of the same exact combination of synthetics. Nowadays, everybody's trying to save money! Not only does it cut down the need to purchase jeans, but it helps you feel- and your wallet feel- a bit more comfortable. And when we can feel comfortable in our own skin (even if it's covered by polysynthetics) well.... that's just beYOUtiful.