Bre's peeves: Show a Little Less Legging

The struggle is real in Bloomington.

I didn’t think any more talk about leggings was necessary, because I’d hoped by now, everyone knew what they were doing. 

Another recycled trend, leggings, came back in vogue just more than three years ago.
They hit the runways with a bang, and everyone from Gucci to Ralph Lauren put their own twist on them. Eventually, they hit college campuses.
Like the bacteria on the keyboards of Herman B Wells Library, the number of girls wearing leggings multiplied exponentially.

Seemingly overnight, girls were emerging from the depths of campus covered in the comfortable alternative to sweatpants.

I’ll admit, I was reluctant to embrace the change. I cringed, critiqued and vowed never to wear leggings as pants — then I went to Europe.

As Europe tends to do with crazes, leggings were instantly made cooler. Paired with tunics, oversized sweaters and distressed leather boots, I couldn’t say no.
Alas, the semester abroad ended and I returned horrified by the abuses these spandex-based bottoms are taking in the United States.

If you’re smart and pair leggings correctly, they look infinitely more polished than sweatpants, yet will sacrifice none of the comfort.

Ignore necessary rules and you will look foolish not only on campus, but in the screen shots of SnapChats to live on forever.
Length, light and leg size are three L’s to keep in mind before putting together your outfits.
Unless Big Sean and Nicki Minaj pop out of the foliage on campus and start rapping at you, nobody wants to see your butt. Keep it covered.

The longer the shirt, the better, but at a minimum it should extend over the entire butt region.
It’s a shame this has been violated so many times, because really, how difficult is it to find a long shirt?
Where are you shopping, stores for the
torso-less?

Opacity is critical to the success of leggings.
All leggings look solid when dangling from a hanger.
You must try them on and perform the knee test — if the fabric is sheer at the knees when you squat, they’re too sheer for you, “brah” (I know you appreciated the subtle “Jersey Shore” reference).

If you’re looking for a long term pair of leggings that can handle the abuses college life tends to put on clothes, it will cost more, but the investment is worth it.
Finally, be true to your leg size.

Ladies, if you have thick legs, own them. I’m in your boat: 5’10” and built like a brick house. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
That being said, I already know where I can and cannot shop for
leggings.

A personal shopping hint: Try leggings built for athletic performance. They’re often a bit thicker than standard leggings, as well as conveniently
warmer.

If you’ve been violating legging code, fear not; you still have a few weeks left before our temperamental Midwest weather finally feels like spring.


— johnsbri@indiana.edu