Lamenting over Leggings

My 82-year-old mom has always tried to stay hip and current with her fashion. I hope I will too when I’m her age. But despite her vast experience, she too struggles with the occasional fashion dilemma. We were having one of the usual phone chats as I unloaded the dishwasher, cleaned the kitchen and probably made four beds. I do my best work while talking on the telephone. Anyway, she said, “Ashley, you know I’ve started wearing leggings now.” I said, “Well yes, that’s great Mom,” wondering where in the world we were going with this line of discussion. She continued, “But they are too long, and I don’t know what to do about it. And they are also a bit long in the inseam. I can pull them up to my neck if I tried!” Giggling at the visual, I told her she should take them to her tailor or dry cleaner and tell them how many inches they should cut off. But her biggest fashion mistake is that she assumed, as I have also done, that she should go up a size since they are so fitted. Now, I will always encourage you to try everything on before you buy it because these days, you may be a 6 in one brand but an 8 or even a 10 in others. Usually, though, it’s a safe bet to go with your normal size.

Leggings these days are the best. They can look like jeans, they have good pockets, and some can even help you look like you’re a marathon runner. My daughters have worn leggings and sweatshirts since elementary school. In middle school, I think it was ALL they wore with the largest sweatshirts they could find. These days, as you see with the picture of my middle daughter, leggings are still the majority of what my girls wear. But now they pair them with cute shirts, cropped tops and sweaters  … and yes, the occasional oversized sweatshirt. I wear them a lot too but always like to keep my assets covered unless I’m actually working out. 

Depending on how you are wearing them, you’ll have different needs. When I’m walking my dog, I prefer to have a pocket on the thigh. When I’m at Orange Theory, I prefer a good pair of capri- length Lululemon or Athleta leggings because they keep me a little cooler. When I’m running around on the weekends to sporting events I want a pair with interest — maybe it’s made of  faux leather or has ripped knees. Pockets are a must! And not the dinky one at the waistline for the single key or coin … who carries just that around anyway? I always like my leggings to show some ankle, which is usually the 7/8ths-length. My middle daughter, however, whose legs are MUCH longer than mine, prefers the standard length or even long. 

Leggings are all over the place with pricing. Sometimes they may cost you a bit more, but if they are your go-to black pair that you wear with EVERYTHING, then buy the more expensive pair. Your cost-to-wear ratio will be pennies! If however, you find the sparkly pair that would be just perfect with the sweater you got for Christmas, then maybe wait for it to go on sale or find a coupon! 

Some people don’t even think about all these little details, but trust me, it matters! If they fit just right, can carry all your items and you don’t want to change out of them for something more comfortable, then you’ve hit the legging lottery!

Oh by the way, here are some of my favorite leggings! Click on the photos to learn more about each pair or to order your own.