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low-depth of field photo of person holding navy stilletos
low-depth of field photo of person holding navy stilletos
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How to Wear Leggings as Pants

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Mya McCann Student Contributor, University of California - Santa Barbara
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Rachel Miller Student Contributor, University of California - Santa Barbara
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCSB chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Leggings are not pants, otherwise they would be called pants. Leggings are comfortable slips of elastic that are tight as skin, and we ladies like to pretend they’re pants. And that’s okay! They have all of the benefits of our slimmest pair of jeans; our butts look awesome, but we can also sit cross-legged without feeling like we’ll tear something. The “leggings aren’t pants” debate prevails because people wear leggings wrong.

Here are some stylish, fool-proof ways to disguise your leggings as pants.

Leggings look best with layers. Leggings are such a minimal bottom piece, so off set the outfit by wearing light layers on top. Throwing on a dolman cardigan or a colorblock scarf is a last minute touch that’ll turn heads.

 

Crop tops are okay only with highwaisted leggings. When crop tops are worn with regular leggings, it’s very obvious that you’re pantless.

Crop top yes:

It’s slim and chic; sexy, without trying too hard.

Crop top no:

This outfit would be okay for an aerobics class.

 

Liquid leggings are so much fun. What’s the next best thing to sparkling? Shining! I haven’t seen liquid leggings around much in Santa Barbara, but they’re all over the neon streets of Los Angeles.

Pair liquid leggings with a pump or ankle boot and you’ll be unstoppable.

There is everything to love about boots with leggings. My favorite part of dressing in colder months is putting my flipflops away for a minute to pair season sensitive boots with cool colored leggings.

Combining this look with the layered look from above will give you the air of the trendy college girl-next-door.

Remember, pants are not see-through but leggings are! Seriously ladies, before you leave the house, do yourself a favor and touch your toes in front of a full length mirror. Make sure that your booty is covered. If your roommates are around, ask them if your leggings are see-through. Below, Karen demonstrates how to check out your butt in a mirror. 

 

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Mya McCann

UCSB

Mya McCann is a fourth year literature student in the College of Creative Studies at UCSB. She currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand and is in the business of running BKK. On the weekends you can find Mya either in the jungle or on an island. On the weekdays she studies Thai and Buddhism and teaches English to sex workers in the red light district.

You can follow her adventures on IG: MyaJoy
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Rachel Miller

UCSB

Rachel is a senior at UC Santa Barbara and studies Communication and Global Peace and Security. Rachel is from a small, beautiful town in southern California called Palos Verdes. However, Palos Verdes is just one of the many places Rachel has lived. Rachel spent her childhood moving and traveling all over the world, living in places such as Indianapolis, Indiana; Santiago, Chile; Vienna, Austria; and Orlando, Florida. Rachel has found her heart and her home in California, choosing to spend her college years in sunny Santa Barbara. However, Rachel continued her wanderlust when she studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain in Fall 2012. At UCSB, Rachel is an immensely dedicated and involved member of her sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she held the positions of Panhellenic Delegate, Inter-Greek Counselor, Rho Gam, and a member of the Nominating Slate. Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is a passion of Rachel's, as she is their Social Media Coordinator as well as an active and proud member. As a member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honors Society, Rachel is able to implement her prowess and affinity for communication and communication-related issues. When Rachel is not writing, participating in Kappa events, or volunteering, you can find her in the gym, on the soccer field, watching Modern Family, or cooking. Rachel's love for sports, food, and writing often times go hand-in-hand, as one may see in her weekly blogs. For the past two summers, Rachel has been freelance writing for the Los Angeles Times, and hopes to continue her career pursuit of journalism after she graduates. Rachel is elated to be a part of Her Campus's fabulous team and loves every moment of it!