Q. I would love to wear leggings – but although I'm fashionable and slim - I’m 43 and I do wonder whether I’m too old for them. Should I bother buying a pair at my age? And If I do, how can I ensure that they'll look chic, not silly? And if I do buy some, how should I tackle wearing them?
A. Leggings are one of those trends that seem to have been languishing in the fashion wilderness for aeons but just when you thought leggings were over, they’ve suddenly get exciting again. From lamé high shine to crazy Aztec prints to inky black wet-look, the eighties favourite are back with a blast.
Once upon a time, leggings were thought to be the domain of women in their teens and ‘20s. However, attitudes are changing. These days leggings can be worn by women of forty and beyond.
Not convinced? Check out Sienna, Kate - and Twiggy- looking impossibly stylish on the social circuit, their legs encased in snug Lycra. In flattering, thigh-whittling black, the leggings of the Noughties are definitely more wonderful than wag.
The reason for the resurrection of leggings?
It's simple - those who dare take Lycra to new fashion heights are also saying yes to comfort and warmth. Let's face it, there aren't too many times in the fashion year when those two walk hand-in-hand with style.
Want to wear your new season mini dress but don't want to freeze to death?
Simply throw some leggings into the mix and you've got an outfit that's as hip as it is practical. That’s why leggings have been embraced by women of all ages – they allow you to wear short skirts and dresses in a way that looks sophisticated but allow you to be cosy at the same time. Perfect!
This season it’s all about black shiny leggings that make your legs look like they've been dipped in a vat of liquid liquorice. Being black, they elongate the natural line of the leg creating a slim and flattering silhouette. And as the temperatures drop and hemlines rise, your liquorice-stick legs will carry you through the winter.
Leggings are appropriate to wear at any age, as long as they're paired with a long-enough top, skirt or dress.
The simplest way for women to sport leggings is underneath a tunic. Tunics vary in length, so it's important that your tunic is long enough to cover your hips and bottom. Because leggings are such a snug fit, you want your top to come down past your hips – otherwise, this is a look better suited for the gym instead of the high street.
Also, do remember that leggings are supposed to be worn as an accessory to your look. Do not wear your leggings as if they were a pair of trousers. On no account expose your bottom, or the gap between your mid-thighs. Too much information ladies – if you get my drift.
One of the biggest downsides of leggings is wearing the wrong shoes. Avoid trainers at all costs, unless you are a fitness instructor! Leggings give the effect of cutting your leg off at the ankle, which makes most legs look a tad stumpy. Do not wear leggings with very high heels, trainers or flip-flops. Pretty flats, such as ballet pumps, are great as long as you are 6ft tall. The rest of us will team ours with biker or slouch boots.
Leggings are best used as an accessory to your outfit, not the main ingredient, so choose your ensemble first, then add leggings if you want. Your leggings' color should match something else in your outfit for the most harmonious pairing. Worn under a mini or with a tunic, and paired with chic boots and layered necklaces, leggings need only an oversize bag to complete your hip look.
