Legs Eleven

                        


'Show a bit of leg'.  I am quite sure everyone reading this has heard this, read this, been told this or said this at some point in there life. As far as i have always been concerned, it has always been quite acceptable to 'show a bit of leg'.  But when in gods name did it become okay to show it all?!?


By all I am not talking everything, i may be slightly exaggerating. I am also not talking about actual flesh.  But recently and it seems especially since it has turned wintery here, i find myself constantly faced with girls bottoms. I am not old fashioned, and i love anyone for having fun with what they are wearing, but since when did it become okay to not cover your rear end when you are wearing leggings? And when did leggings suddenly not become hosiery?


Leggings are hosiery, they are not trousers. I know there are various hybrids out there now: jeggings, treggings, lame, sequinned,leather, pvc… and i could go on, but none of these were designed to wear as trousers alone! As lovely a bottom as you may have, i do not want to see it, and your underwear in all its glory going up an escalator in tk maxx. Thank you.


Leggings have been about for far longer than you would think.  Originally they were two separate garments, one for each leg and were used as a protective for the lower half.  During the Renaissance men often wore them as an extra layer to give extra warmth, and in native america during the 19th century they were worn by indians to protect during horse riding and hunting.  They only really became a fashion over commodity in the early sixties where they were worn under skirts and A-line dresses. The Eighties saw leggings form part of dance wear after films like Flashdance made them even more popular for the masses.  And it was the Nineties which saw the 'Skinny' jean emerge and fashion icons like Kate Moss meant everyone wanted a pair.  


It didn't take long for treggings, jeggings and the like to appear - a hybrid of the trouser and legging, or jean and legging.  These are just like leggings but with some of the characteristics of trousers and jeans.  


So i'm not sure if everyone just got confused with the whole skinny/tregging/jegging/legging debacle. Leggings for me have always been two things 1) The Enemy and 2) Tights.  It is not acceptable to have your bottom completely uncovered when wearing them, no matter how lovely, how toned, how pert, you just should not do it.  Nobody wants to see it. Put it away.  Leggings are made from lycra. They are not hard wearing. Often see through, and they are not warm!  Even if you are wearing winter boots. And anyway if you are wearing them with winter boots why the bobbins aren't you just wearing tights?!


Don't get me wrong, i wear leggings but only in the house and thats just my personal preference. I wear them if i cant be bothered putting much thought into what i am wearing, or if I'm cleaning the bathroom.  And with some people i don't know if thats it, they cant be bothered. This is not meant to sound righteous, or cruel. But in my line of work you constantly hear everyday: 'Lovely, especially with a pair of leggings.' 'It just needs some leggings' or 'You could even wear that with some leggings in the winter.' Argh.  You hardly ever hear people holding as much enthusiasm for tights.  


I am not too sure if all this is just 'me' as the Collins dictionary definition doesn't really do much to prove my point either: "A type of fitted clothing covering the thighs. Worn by men and women.'  And you know what, some people wear leggings and look lovely, they do it right.  My friend Hannah never fails to look lovely in leggings, they look chic and effortless on her and they really suit her. But she doesn't wear them like they are trousers.  It sounds daft but not very many people can nail this look. I for sure cannot, and will not ever look good in leggings. Hence why i will never leave the house wearing any. 


 Now tights, different story.  Tights i can do...