80's Fashion Redux - Leggings

When you have been around as long as we have you’ve seen fashion trends come and go - two, three, maybe even four times. Beware! That doesn’t mean you can dig through your closet and pull out that great mini skirt you wore in 1969 and assume that it screams, “I am a fashion maven!” when you wear it in 2006.  Our fashion guru, Jan Sellman, tells me that the general rule is, “If you wore it when it was trendy before – you probably shouldn’t wear it when the trend returns.” 

I have taken exception to that rule when it comes to leggings. I LOVE leggings!  I loved them in the eighties when I had a new baby and could throw a long sweater over a pair of leggings and not worry about whether the waistband on a favorite pair of pants had grown too tight. 

Unfortunately, it was a trend that was easy to corrupt. Everywhere you looked there was someone violating the number one fashion dictum: never wear anything that focuses attention solely on your roles of flab.  You saw them!  They were in every check-out line in every supermarket in America, wearing their leggings without a long tunic to cover the bad spots, and forcing me to question whether I really looked like Audrey Hepburn in my leggings, or if the whole world was staring at my rear end wondering where it ended and my dimpled thighs began. I think the trend died because we all got tired of the nausea that accompanied the intimate bird’s eye view of women’s dimpled butts.

Well, they’re back. The look is more sophisticated this time, with leggings under long skirts and layered tanks and tunics. I love it! Now if only the fashion police can stop women from wearing them without the tunic, letting everything that shouldn’t hang out this could be a fun trend to play with.  I asked our fashion guru, Jan Sellman, to give me the lowdown on how 50+ women should wear leggings without looking like aging hookers, or the ladies in the check-out line.

Jan says:

"Leggings are an exciting trend for fall, because every woman, no matter what her age, can have fun with them and incorporate them into her wardrobe.  Clearly, they're not the style for everyone...but for those who choose to go for the trendy, there's a variety of styles and ways to wear them.  A few suggestions are:

• We should not, wear them in the same way we did in our younger days.  Leave the mini skirts and little tops to the teens and young women.
• Choose a longer skirt and go with a layered look.  You can be trendy AND age-appropriate. 
• Wearing leggings with longer length sweaters (knee length or longer), or longer jackets or coats can give them a great look - my favorite!
• Cover the rear view. Don't wear a sweater or top that ends at the widest part of you hips...they'll only look wider if you do.
• For the 50+ group...Never, ever, wear them alone, with only a short or tight sweater.  Yes, I did say NEVER.
• Black thin leggings or footless opaque tights can kick up a wardrobe, and provide warmth.
• It's "what's up top" that counts."  A monochromatic look is dramatic, especially black. Wear a splash of color at the top toward your face, bringing the eye up, away from any wide or soft areas we're not proud to show. 
• If the leggings are slim, add a bit of volume on top. 
• Speaking of soft areas: Those folds of flab and "jigglies' can be controlled by wearing thin, smoothing undergarments. Spanx, and other brands not only smooth and control, but takes off inches! They're a miracle!!! This may add a few seconds of time to getting dressed, but it will be well worth it.
• When shopping for this new look take a friend who is brutally honest...and listen to her.  Also, let your full-length mirror be your final judge. Look at yourself from all angles. If in doubt, make the needed changes or don't wear it!  Add a shoe boot to the narrow trend, to complete and pull the look together."

Comments

[Regina]

Spanks are great - I have the bodysuit that goes midway down the thigh and it really keeps me "contained" and it's not a heavy material either.

[Pammella]

I love my leggings! I agree with Jan's advice...I really don't even like seeing the younger gals in leggings and tops that don't cover the bum area...just a bad look I think...I enjoy wearing leggings under skirts and knit dresses! Anyone familiar with Yummie Tummy underneath wear?