The Many Legs Of Leggings

By Alexia Gonzalez on September 19, 2014

We all have that one article of clothing that we deem versatile enough to wear during various kinds of occasions–be it your favorite little black dress, that one skirt that makes your legs look killer, or those jeans that fit your booty perfectly.

As budget friendly college students, we can’t afford to buy every trendy and seasonal item of clothing that sparks our fancy. For this reason, the aforementioned types of pieces are such important parts of our wardrobe, both financially and stylistically. Your favorite or most functional item can take any ensemble from school hour to happiest of hours.

For the fall season, I find the black legging to be one of the most essential components of any gal’s style repertoire. A pair of black leggings is not only flattering to any body type; they are also comfortable as can be, and easy to pair with an array of top layers.

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To begin, you should think about purchasing a quality pair of leggings that will give you more bang for your buck. Throw away that flimsy $10 cotton pair from Forever 21 and search the stores for something of higher caliber.

The ideal set will have a thick and stretchy fabric that will fit your shape like a glove without being see-through. You want leggings that are sag proof and provide the perfect amount of stretch in all the right places.

A good pair of leggings will function more as pants than undergarments, so don’t skimp on a quality fabric. Don’t forget to keep in mind the importance of insulation for the upcoming winter months.

I recommend checking out the Two by Vince Camuto Seamed black leggings, from Nordstroms.com. These will stand the test of time throughout frequent use and will hold their shape thanks to their rich fabric that is more pant-like than legging. Not to mention, the elastic waistband provides supreme stretch and helps to flatten your tummy and elongate your torso.

Leggings can steer any ensemble towards the utmost chic direction, so take advantage of your striking stems and accentuate them with a great pair under a fabulous outfit.

Style Tips: When wearing leggings, avoid using crop tops and shorter blouses that you would wear with regular pants. Opt for longer layers that go past hip length. Finish off your look with closed toed flats, boots, and high heels (be sure to NEVER wear sandals, wedges, or flip flops).

Street Chic

It’s always fashionable to pair different kinds of textures within a fall outfit, to add color and dimension to something that could potentially look very flat.

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This is probably why I love the idea of pairing a loose fitting chambray top with a pair of black leggings. Top it all off with gold jewelry and high top sneakers or motto boots. The contrast of simple black and chambray denim really gives off an edgy and alternative vibe.

Campus Cool

For a cool look on a fall day, try pairing your leggings with an oversized sweater, infinity scarf and closed flats. These pieces mixed together combine the ideal amount of casual and trendy with warmth and functionality.

The chunkiness of a cable knit material for your sweater work best with this kind of look by offsetting the tapered fit of your leggings.

Polished Girl

Try a more refined approach to leggings by layering a solid colored button-down blouse (whites and neutrals work best with black leggings) under a structured blazer. Add some flare with a pair of statement boots, with either height or color. This type of look will appear polished and chic yet capable of taking you on a girl’s night out.

Dressed to Kill

Oversized sweaters and long shirts aren’t the only way to merge leggings with top layers. Transcend weather barriers and take your favorite long t-shirt or summer dress into the autumn season by wearing it over some leggings.

Try something with a vivid pattern or bold color, and add a long metallic necklace to make your outfit really stand out.

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Sock it To Me

Believe it or not, leggings can totally be paired with socks. This combo can make any fall ensemble look incredibly stylish when executed correctly.

Select a pair of thick socks that can be bunched up over some ankle or riding boots. Make sure to coordinate the color of the socks with the palette used on your upper body pieces (stick to neutral monochromatic earth tones) and always contrast the color of your shoes. Accent the socks with a matching purse.

Leather Legs

Leather leggings can transform your ensemble from trendy daytime outfit to fierce look of the night. When utilizing this faux-fabric style, choose a material that is not too shiny and resembles more of a matte black tone.

Pair these leathery duds with a lightweight blouse, like something sheer or satin (try burgundy or navy blue for fall 2014). Stilettos, pumps, or strappy high heels will provide that perfect dose of sexiness to your get-up.

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