And yes I believe leggings are pants…

As the weather gets colder I tend to reach for my favorite leggings.  Leggings are so versatile. I love them for lounging around the house, running errands, working out or going on date nights. During winter I’m in them 4 out of 7 days.  Over the past 5 years, and this might sound super weird, I’ve learned a lot about leggings.  

Here’s my list of things I’ve learned:

• Opaque is key
• See-through  is no Bueno (determined by the “Bend” test – we’ll talk about this soon)
• Cotton/spandex blend is best for lounging & not for working out
• Poly/spandex blend is best for working out 
• You get what you pay for…nuff said
• Anyone can wear leggings but it should be paired properly
• There are leggings that suck things in and lift things up like magic
• “Ideally” longer tops should be worn over the leggings to cover the booty IMHO

LET’S TALK ABOUT MY FAVES

Below is a  scrolling function with shopping links!  Each picture will take you to the exact website where these leggings can be purchased.  Please note that these are affiliate links and the little commission made helps to maintain this blog. Thanks in advance!  

Leggings #1 by BP:

• Less than $20 they’re perfect for the wallet and the body!  
• Opaque so as not to show any goods.
• Great for lounging or errands.

Leggings #2 by Hue:

• Isn’t the typical black pair but instead a denim wash
• The perfect jegging to wear with boots.  
• It isn’t super thick like regular denim.
• It’s soft, supple and feels like a comfy pair of jammies.
• I have always loved the Hue brand and this style comes in many colors so if you prefer black, it’s totally an option.

Leggings #3 by Zella has been a fave over the past 3 years:

• Mid-range pricey
• Has just the right amount of spandex to hold things in place.
• Super comfy & the high waist holds the mommy tummy in even after eating at a buffet,  speaking from experience of course.  
• You can wear these for a full week and they still hold their shape.  
• These are really well made & last a long time but whenever they come on sale, I pick up a pair.

Leggings #4  by Spanx:

• Definitely for the more adventurous.  
• Little tricky to get on but once you’re in, you aren’t going anywhere.  
• They have a faux leather look to them but not that weird cheapy leather look. This looks more like a soft cattle leather when in fact it’s far from that.
• I love the way it makes everything look so smooth and sucked in. Heaven knows, unless your waif thin, we all need a lot of smooth and sucked in.  
• These pairs great with sweaters or longer tops for going out and can even be casually worn with a t-shirt and sneakers for an edgier look.  
• These will make you feel like a little bad-ass.
• Your spouse will love the way you look in these so wear them at your own risk.

Lastly legging #5 is by Gap:

• More closely the kind of legging you would wear to work out but these are designed to lift things that would normally sag without them on.  
• This is my first year buying these and so far I have loved them for Pilates and running errands after.  

The Bend-Test

The best way to test if your leggings are meant to be worn outside of the house is to do the bend test. This is something I’ve learned from Pilates where often times newbies wear regular Target Mossimo brand leggings to class. Trust me when I tell you, don’t be that girl.

Basically, all you have to do is put on your favorite pair of leggings. Make sure you’re in a well-lit room.  Stand in front of a full-length mirror. Bend from the hip down so your body is contorted to look like the #7.  Look in the mirror and see if your leggings are stretched thin enough that you can see your flesh.  If the answer is yes, don’t leave the house with those.  Those leggings right there are meant for lounging in the comfort of your own home and should not be subjected to the world.  You’re welcome! 

xo