Leggings Are Not Pants!

With boot season, out come my leggings!

Comfort and style, all wrapped up with a bow, or is it?

One way I love to wear my leggings, is with over the knee boots:

This outfit was sooo comfortable – like wearing sweats!

Leggings are the easiest and most comfortable – yet trickiest article of clothing, to pull off with style.

Why? This comfy bugger is misunderstood, but once you come to terms with a few guide lines – it’s a love fest!

#1 Very important, butt and crotch are to remain covered – at all times.

#2 Black is the most flattering color.

#3 Invest in a pair that is not see thru.

#4 Tunic, tunic, tunic – the key to coverage #nocroptops

#5 Stick to the style guideline – skinny on bottom = full on top, balance is key! Yes, in the photos below, the models are wearing their leggings with heels and crop tops. That’s ONLY, so you can see the full legging, The heels, obviously make the leg look longer – it doesn’t mean this is how you should style yours!

(sorry if I sound a little bossy, I have a thing about leggings being worn in an unflattering way)

Do I have favorites? Absolutely!

Now, if you are 15 years old, no problem, you can probably wear anything from anywhere. But for us ladies over 40, we have options! A key factor for me, is that my leggings stay up. As you will see with all 5 of the options below, they have a wide, unique waistband.

For everyday, anywhere:

Hue Wide Waistband Legging

My favorite. For a thinner, inexpensive option, the Hue wide waist band leggings are the bomb! Not to be confused with other leggings by Hue (which I have mixed emotions about), that for me don’t stay up – the magic is in the high/wider waistband. These leggings are thinner than the next 4 below, and are perfect for everyday; around the house, even layered with dresses. They keep their shape, and don’t bag out at the knees.

Currently out of stock at Nordstrom.com | available at Amazon HERE

Lysse Control Top Legging

At Amazon HERE | available at Nordstrom as well.

Lysse makes a high-waist vegan style,

at Amazon HERE | also available at Nordstrom.

Lysse leggings, are a legging and shaper – all in one. They are flattering and comfortable. Just know, they do have a  built in shaper, so they feel tighter. Try your regular size to start. I needed to fold the waistband down, to get it over my hips, then roll it back up. At first, I thought I needed a bigger size, but once I got them on – these babies weren’t going anywhere, and fit like a dream.  The vegan, leather looking ones, are especially a challenge to get on – but, I love how they fit once on the body. I liked them so much, I returned the pair I bought at Ann Taylor (in this post HERE).  The issue with the pair from Ann Taylor is, I was between sizes. I hadn’t worn them out yet, because every time I tried them on, I felt they were falling down. The Ann Taylor vegan legging, may be better suited for pear or hourglass shapes.

All that said, I love the Lysse leggings,  but if the thought of being held in, on your tummy and thighs, sounds terrible – then take a pass.

A close up look, at the waist band.

Vince Camuto Seamed Back Legging

Thicker, these can be worn dressed up, or down. Almost a pant (but not!), and perfect for colder months. I sized down in these, as per my sales gals recommendation. I personally prefer the Hue and Lysse leggings, but these have great reviews. They may just not be the best for my body type. Remember, everyone is different, I would definitely recommend checking them out, and at $49.00, they are a lower cost than Lysse.

Available at Nordstrom HERE, in regular and petite. Plus sizes also are available, in the regular Vince Camuto legging.

Zella ‘Live-in’ Slim Legging

Yes, these work for yoga, but they are not your everyday work out pant. My sis-in-law, along with other fashionable friends who work in retail, swear by these leggings. They are more matte than your average workout pant, do amazing in the wash, and hold it all in – while staying up.

At Nordstrom HERE

LisetteL Legging

31″ Thinny Pant in Hollywood Fabric

Available at boutiques and LisetteL, HERE

 For the full website, HERE

I have yet to personally try these on as they are difficult to locate. Based out of Montreal, they are available online and in boutiques (check the site for locations). I have seen these on, and have friends who swear by them.

An Oprah Fave.

Once you find your perfect legging, a few tips:

NO DRYER. The dryer breaks down the elastic in the legging, causing white little pieces to pop out of the fabric, and they will not retain the same stretch as they had, when new.

Eliminating the dryer run, will also help to keep the original color, deep.