Leggings have become a staple in many college girls’ wardrobes. They are versatile, comfortable, and a quick solution when you are running late and don’t have any clean jeans. They can be worn with oversized t-shirts, sweaters, boots, flats, and can be styled to fit your personal tastes. With their growing popularity, we are forced to ask: should they really be worn as pants?
I asked the students of Mercer University this question and received a variety of answers.
“Nope…They seem too form fitting, and the fabric isn’t thick like I think pants should be. I’ve just never seen them to be pants.” –Garrett Sharpe
“Nope, too much spandex.” –Julia Stitt
“With the right upper body attire yes. Otherwise no.” –Sarah Abney
“No. They are only okay with a longer shirt, but otherwise girls wear them so they too tight and revealing to be considered pants.” –Harrison Liu
“Yes. I wouldn’t wear them to church, but they are fine to wear to class or the store.” –Nia Jordan
“No. I would say that yes they can be worn as pants. However many people don’t wear them right. They think it’s ok to wear leggings as pants even when they don’t fit right and reveal too much. That’s the whole reason that tights are not considered pants. This is why we can’t have nice things.” –Rudy Bond
“I mean I guess, it covers the legs. I don’t personally wear them though.” –Justin Baxley
Overall, most people can accept the fact that leggings are pants as long as they are worn properly and in the right situations. When they are worn the wrong way, people tend to reject the leggings’ status as pants. Here are some tips to properly wear leggings as pants.
Make Sure They Fit
Try on your leggings to make sure they are not too tight. They should be tight enough to fit and not bunch, but they should not reveal everything. Also, check the length. This is especially important depending on your shoes. Don’t wear them if they are too short.
Wear the Right Shirt
This is a crucial part to consider when wearing leggings. Depending on your body type, different styles of shirts will look better. A safe bet is to wear a longer shirt such as a tunic or an oversized sweater.
Wear Them in Appropriate Situations
While leggings can be acceptable to wear as pants, they are not for all situations. It is best to not wear leggings as pants to church, job interviews, work, or formal meetings. They are great for shopping, running errands, airplane rides, class, and many other everyday situatuions.
Check the Material
Let me repeat that. Check the material. You don’t want to get halfway through your day before you realize you can see through the material. Invest in leggings that are made of a thicker material that won’t rip and aren’t see-through. If your leggings are thinner, make sure you are wearing proper underwear so they cannot be seen through the leggings. Bright underwear and thin leggings aren’t a good match.
If you aren’t sure you are wearing leggings properly, ask an honest friend. If you are still uncertain, you should consider an alternative such as jeggings. Jeggings of the same stylish fit of leggings, but the denimn provides more coverage and is acceptable in more situations.
How to Wear Leggings as Pants