BLACK LEGGINGS ~ LOVE THEM OR LOATHE THEM?

Whoever invented them should be punched hard, on one side of their face, and smothered with kisses on the other. Has one item of clothing ever been so loved and hated in equal measure?

Loved, I would guess, mainly by women, hated, I can confidently say, mainly by men.

Every autumn, when bare leg days are behind us, I vow that when the chill does finally come into the air, and it’s time for chunky jumpers and warm jackets, I will NOT, most definitely NOT succumb to wearing that ‘capsule’ item of clothing found lurking in almost every woman’s wardrobe, BLACK LEGGINGS.  But every year, I always do, and I hate myself for it.

But aren’t they oh so easy to wear, so comfy, so cosy, and best of all, so flipping cheap!  Perhaps therein lies the irony of it all.

Many girls pop on leggings these days, almost the same way they pop on their knickers, they wear them EVERY time they go out.  It’s only their tops and shoes, which change, depending on the destination.

Leggings have become the young Mum’s uniform of choice. Teamed with baggy T-shirts and woolly socks for indoors. Baggy T-shirts, a waterfall cardi, and flip flops for a trip to the local shops. Baggy T-shirt, jacket, and Ugg boots for the school run, and if they are really pushing the boat out, hardly any T-shirt at all, and SPARKLY leggings, with sky-high shoes for clubbing.  Dress ‘em up, dress ‘em down. Anything goes.

Having said that, it’s quite a challenge dressing leggings ‘down’ any further than they already ultimately go.

But what about us more ‘mature’ ladies?   Have you said, Hello Sixty, bring it on, but I won’t be a slave to fashion? I can’t wear leggings at my age, they are far too unkind to my figure, it’s not what it was.  Jeggings are the way forward for me!

Regardless of age, should we look on leggings, as our comfortable friends, or are they the work of the ‘does my arse, tummy, hips, thighs, and legs, look big in this’ fat fairy in a bad mood.

Do you wear them to Waitrose, or are they something you prefer just to wear in the privacy of your own home?

Men hate leggings, and that’s a fact.  I recall in the late ’80s when leggings first became popular, a ‘gentleman friend’ of mine once commented that the sight of me, in leggings, reminded him of Max Wall. I’m still wounded. He is not my friend anymore. Max Wall indeed.

But what is it about leggings that turn men off so much? I mean they are black, and they cover your legs, pretty much like stockings, but I guess that’s where the similarity ends.

Leggings clearly do not have the same appeal to men, as a silky 10-denier black lacy-edged stocking.  But both are black, and both cover the length of your legs, but I think they occupy the same space in a man’s head as tights, without the gusset.

SUCH a great word GUSSET. It’s worthy of a mention for no other reason.

Strange isn’t it that many things that men find sexy are so bloody uncomfortable. Suspenders. Corsets. Stilettoes……you know it’s true.

How typical, that something as comfy as leggings, should be such a turn-off. So tell us where you stand on the legging front. Will you be wearing them loud and proud this winter, or could nothing persuade you to go there?