Leggings: fashion or exercise?

suppakana

Hi ladies! I'm not terribly fashion savvy, so forgive me for asking this question:

Do you wear leggings for fashion or for exercising? Do you wear the same leggings to work out in and go out in? Are there different kinds of leggings that are intended for working out, as opposed to wearing with a dress (or whatever you choose to wear them with)?

Right now I work out in some cheap leggings that I got at XXI Forever... They're doing alright, but I want to know what other options there might be.

QuilterInVA

Except for exercise, no one wears them where I live. Especially not to go out in. That was several years ago.

I_Will_End_You

I don't wear them as pants, per say, but I'll wear them under a dress or skirt when it's really cold out. And yes, there are leggings made specifically for working out. They're usually made of a different material than the regular ones. You can find them anywhere, really. Any department store, Target, Walmart (if you dare), etc...

doIlhands

Both. I wear workout specific leggings for working out. I just wear cheap ones for everyday. Leggings/jeggings have become my bff with weight loss. I can wear them alot longer than jeans without them getting baggy.

<--- leggings lol. To be fair they are really thick ones originally for running in the snow/cold weather so they aren't see through.

garber6th

I think they are ok if you follow the rule "dress for the body you have, not the body you want". I have seen lots of leggings gone wrong and it isn't pretty. Make sure they fit, and make sure you know that if they are stretched to the limit, they do become see-through in certain light!

bajoyba

If I wear leggings, I wear them in place of nylons or pantyhose - underneath a dress or tunic top. Fashion leggings are usually made of a thin material and not meant to be worn as pants. I've seen many a thong out in public because some girls don't know or don't care that their leggings are somewhat transparent. lol

For that reason, I wouldn't work out in leggings unless you're working out at home. You can buy leggings made specifically for working out, and they're a thicker material that won't show off your goodies to anyone without your permission.

sleepingtodream

I'll wear leggings under dresses or longish shirts. I've never worn them for exercising...yoga pants really aren't my thing either. I prefer shorts I guess. I'm thinking I'll have to find something warm and comfortable to wear running once the snow flies!

EmilyEmpowered

Walmart (if you dare)

I actualy LOVE Walmarts Danskin brand. Its cheap and considering I am shrinking out of clothes pretty quickly, I am not going to pay over $10 for any workout gear. Actually, even when I am done losing weight, I probably wont pay more than that becaue I am happy with the quality of their stuff. I love their moisture wicking clothes, I hve shirts and pants (leggings, I guess) that are AWESOME! I have shorts, capris, and long ones, all from WalMart. I guess I am just DARING like that...

highervibes

Both. Leggings + boots + sweater with belt = acceptable out.

Leggings + workout tank = acceptable at gym

Alluminati

Both. Leggings + boots + sweater with belt = acceptable out.

Leggings + workout tank = acceptable at gym

Yup^^ Fall is coming, time to get out the leggings and sweater dresses

Doone33

I don't wear them... but I do see them wore a lot in church. The ones the wear typically look like skinny jeans and they wear them with a long shirt, cardigan or long sweater. I also seen them wear them with this new dress type shirt that is not a real long dress... they are cute honestly. The girls often top them off with a very cute sandal or high heel! Oh.. the ones I seen that I like are more of one color or little design... I have seen some very colorful very large design ones and I thought they looked like it was toooooo much!

MsWallwoman

Both...
I work out in them, wear them out and about, and I some times wear them with a nice long top or sweater. Depends. Lol. I love leggings.

Beastette

I wouldn't wear the same clothing I exercise in for regular dressing. I barely wash my workout clothes with the regular laundry. They need to be kept quarantined.

Legs_McGee

I'll wear them under a dress or often with a long top and boots. I only wear shorts when working out, except when it gets really cold, then I'll wear tights to run outside.

guessrs

2 leggings, dry fit made for running in black and fashion leggings in cotton any colours.

scookiemonster

I have different leggings for exercise and for regular wear. I prefer moisture wicking fabrics for exercise, so I stick to leggings that are specifically marketed for working out, or as "running tights." The regular leggings that I buy in clothing stores tend to be mostly cotton, which isn't so great when you get sweaty.

Also, I love my leggings as fashion wear. I don't wear them the same way I wear jeans, with a regular/short shirt, but with a long shirt, tunic, short dress, etc., I love them and I think they're super comfortable. I make a lot of my warm weather clothing usable through the winter by, say, adding leggings and a cardigan over a summer dress, or putting leggings under a skirt and a warm sweater on top. Definitely a life saver, because I'm not a huge fan of work slacks, so this way I can comfortably wear skirts all year, even when it's cold out. Actually, I think a good pair of leggings under a skirt and with boots is probably warmer than slacks and regular shoes.

athensmomof3

The other problem with regular leggings or even cotton exercise pants is that they are see through sometimes around the backside. Unfortunately this is something you don't know unless someone tells you . There is a photo montage someone posted online a few days ago and it was truly awful! You could tell that most of these people had no idea they looked that terrible from the back!

I also think leggings are hard to pull off. I am overweight (5'7", 165) and would never dream of wearing them, except under a dress - and I think I am too old for that! I would have to lose 35 pounds before I would consider it I think!


http://sarcasticsarcasms.blogspot.com/2013/03/do-unto-others-tights-are-not-pants-lol.html?spref=fb#.Uhf7ZxYvFFt

lithezebra

If I'm wearing leggings for fashion, I generally wear a longer top and nicer shoes.

bushidowoman

I'm a "function before beauty" kind of lady. I prefer leggings when I am running--they keep my thick thighs from rubbing together and stay out of my buttcrack. With them, I wear a tank top a couple sizes too big (usually grab my husband's)--better air flow and it doesn't stick to me as much when I'm sweating.

Crohns2013

I was wondering this too, thanks for asking OP!

There are so many ladies around here who wear exercise leggings as clothes. Not leggings under a dress or sweater, but like lulu lemon leggings with a tshirt or tank top. It s not always a good look. And I don't think they were at the gym or heading there with their hair and makeup perfectly done, surrounded by friends or with their kids etc.

JenniTheVeggie

I wear carpi leggings when I run...I usually don't wear them while shopping, going out, etc.

mg720

Both. Leggings + boots + sweater with belt = acceptable out.

Leggings + workout tank = acceptable at gym

agree. and yes they do make specific leggings for the gym and ones for wearing outside. I for example would never be able to wear forever 21 leggings for working out, i would get way too hot. the legging type of work out pants I have have "wicking" qualities so i don't get as hot and the sweat doesn't stay on me.

mg720

I was wondering this too, thanks for asking OP!

There are so many ladies around here who wear exercise leggings as clothes. Not leggings under a dress or sweater, but like lulu lemon leggings with a tshirt or tank top. It s not always a good look. And I don't think they were at the gym or heading there with their hair and makeup perfectly done, surrounded by friends or with their kids etc.

i love lulu lemon. unfortunately out of my price range at the moment lol i am from NY now living in NJ and the outfit you are describing is acceptable here for a weekend early morning or running errands, running your kids around, ect, as well as working out. I work in the fashion industry (not that that means much lol) and i see many woman wearing leggings to work with tunics or longer sweaters and boots (myself included)

spectralmoon

I was wondering this too, thanks for asking OP!

There are so many ladies around here who wear exercise leggings as clothes. Not leggings under a dress or sweater, but like lulu lemon leggings with a tshirt or tank top. It s not always a good look. And I don't think they were at the gym or heading there with their hair and makeup perfectly done, surrounded by friends or with their kids etc.

I'm guilty of the Lulu Lemon leggings with a sweater or tunic top. They are COMFORTABLE THOUGH! :laugh:

I have some of those galaxy patterned leggings that I wear under skirts or long tops, but I wouldn't wear those to the gym. My only back and forth exception are the Lulu Lemon pants/leggings. And it shouldn't be an exception, but I can't help it.

L4GFOREVER

I used to wear leggings a lot only in the colder months though, right now I wear mostly shorts