Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Great Skinny Leg Jean / Legging Debate of 2009

I was watching the Today show this morning and the fashion show of the day was all about Leggings. The "fashion expert" claimed that leggings are for everyone, regardless of how old you are or what size you are. Then several models paraded out in their leggings, which included leather leggings, denim leggings (complete with faux pockets on the front AND back - shudder), and sequined leggings.

I tend to disagree with the "leggings are for everyone" trend that is so popular right now.

And here are my reasons why.

1. The models on the Today show were probably 6'5" and weighed on average 47 pounds. How many people do you know who are that size? Me? Zero. But the leggings looked great on them. I did notice, however, that they didn't bring out a size 12 mom, who is carrying a diaper bag, a kid, and 14 pieces of Polly Pockets to show how cute leggings would be on her. I smell a conspiracy.

2. In the immortal words of my friend, Erin, "Don't wear skinny leg jeans if you aren't." Words to live by, people. Words to live by.

3. Tait, my FOUR YEAR OLD, wore leggings to school today. She looked precious. If your 4 year old looks precious in something, chances are you won't if you wear the same thing.

4. In order to wear skinny leg jeans, you must meet 2 requirements. A) Be skinny. B) Have legs. I have only met B. Therefore, I haven't met the requirements of wearing skinny leg leans. Refer back to #1. They met both requirements. Carry on, telephone pole models.

5. I watch "What Not to Wear" religiously (secretly hoping that someone will nominate me and I'll be TRANSFORMED by the powers of Stacy and Clinton - hint hint, wink wink) and they have a major issue with tapered pants. They say that when your ankles are the skinniest part of you, your BACKSIDE looks huge by comparison. Skinny leg jeans/leggings = the most tapered pant possible. And I can ASSURE YOU that I need no help making my backside look large. And that's all I gotta say about that.

6. Sequined leggings? That reflect light and draw lots of attention to your legs and butt? There's just something scarily wrong with that idea.

7. The last time I wore leggings was in the 80's. Do you remember the 80's? They were bad, people. BAD. It was ALL OF OUR ugly stages. The people who apparently are the "trend setters" today were either too young to remember the 80's or not yet born in the 80's. So I think it's our duty to mankind to show them the errors of our ways. Let's learn from our past. Not REPEAT IT!

So, in closing, I plan on strongly declining the skinny leg pant / legging trend.

What about you?

Talk amongst yourselves in the comment section.

28 comments:

Unknown said...

Yes, the 80's--the decade of big hair, skinny jeans, peg legs, pumps, parachute pants, leggings, stirrup pants(**shudder**), and let us not forget NEON! ACK ACK ACK!

Does Forever 21 think they are on to something? I don't think so! It's as if they looked through my yearbook and decided it was chic. Ummm, no!

While we're at it, let's bring back short athletic shorts and skin tight pin striped Jordache Jeans.

No, thankyouverymuch!

:)

lea said...

when they make jeans called "fat leg jeans" then i will know to buy them.

Aubrey said...

Can I just give a big, gi-normous, and hearty AMEN to this post as a whole? All of the reasons are top contenders, but, um, number 3 pretty well sums it up. No, wait, number 1. Diaper bags and leggings are something only Angelina can pull off.

I am no Angelina.

Rachel said...

I say amen to the leggings, especially for short prego ladies like me (NOT that I could wear them anyways, but really?!?!)

yeah, 15 days and counting...

beckyjomama said...

I am crying - partly because I', laughin so hard and partly because it is just so stinkin sad. In the 80's I was a size four/six-ish at most and I did not look good in leggings THEN!

My chubby 1yr old can rock a pair of leggings, her chubby mama - not so much!

My skinny minnie four year old can rock a pair of skinny jeans. I can't get em past my ankle.

And, yes, people. Pay attention here!

The. 80's. Were. BAD.

Very, VERY bad...

The Scott family said...

I totally agree with you and LOVE your blog!

Anonymous said...

OK, I had the same initial reaction to this fashion rewind. However, on a shopping trip last weekend, I worked up the nerve to try on a couple of pairs of the jeans(three, actually)and found one that I really liked. BUT (you knew there was a but) at my age, these will only be worn with a long cardigan or tunic-y top that hides my entire midsection. I have made peace with my legs from about mid-thigh down, but from the same point upward? No, ma'am.

Anonymous said...

So funny! Missed you while you were on haitus. I totally agree with this post, and the comments are about as funny as the post.

Patty said...

I really needed a good laugh today and your post was it!!

Amen and Amen to all you posted but tell me this, WHY oh WHY did I see stir-up pants at Wal Mart the other day. I don't get it.

Cheryl said...

LEt me just say......

there ain't NO WAY I'm putting on a pair of leggings!

After 4 kids, no way!

Great post!

Tina said...

LOL!!!! I have been reading your blog for a while and you just make me smile!

My only suggestion is that if you want to be nominated for "What Not to Wear" maybe you should go ahead & wear the leggings!!! I'm just saying!

Joyce said...

I love your blog.

My philosophy is anything that looks adorable on my 90 pound 21 year old daughter will look exactly the opposite on me. I used to look like that. When I was 21. Now, not so much.

connorcolesmom said...

Oh girl I totally agree
I think wearing leggings is almost like being naked or walking around with just hose on - it just seems wrong!
Also if anyone is over the age of 25 then they need to stay away from the skinny jeans - I am just saying!
Love you

Melinda said...

Okay. You are completely correct about the leggings. They frighten me.

Forgive me friend, but I have sinned...I admit to wearing a skinny jean tucked in boots with a long jacket.

Thanks for allowing me a safe place to be vulnerable.

AbbyLane said...

LOL-ing in TN :)

i miss ya'll. and discussions like this are why.

Michelle said...

couldn't agree more! loved ALL your points =p

edub said...

I may or may not be wearing leggings right now. But I shudder to think what would happen if I wore them out in the real world. Oh, the underwear lines... Anyway, I'm not saying I am, I'm not saying I'm not.

Dionna said...

I don't ever want my backside to look bigger! I'll be remembering that tip!

Fran said...

I refuse to even look at sequin leggings much less wear them. Actually I will never wear anything that tight again. I was told if you were it as a teenager you do not wear it again.

So there. Bye bye leggings and anything skinny.

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

This cracked me up! I clicked over from His Treasured Possession=) and I think we met at a bloggy meet up when I was visiting Vitafamilia! I have never worn leggings, and oh yes, anything drawing more attention to my bootay or thighs, no thank you=)!

Shell in your Pocket said...

This is the 2nd post about SKINNY jeans...they must really be in this season!

What about sweat pants???

:)

Sandy Toe

prashant said...

I have been reading your blog for a while and you just make me smile!

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Rachel said...

I'm with you - it's hard to pull off. WAY hard. And sometimes, when something is SO hard to pull off, maybe it's just not meant to be...

And I heard Tim Gunn downing leggings on Project Runway last week...and that should be the period on the end of any fashion debate sentence.

jennyhope said...

Okay Robyn-Monk-Wilson!! I was in wal-mart tonight having a facebook update withdrawel and wanted to tell someone this (but I just had to tell Jesus):
Someone SHOOT me before I dare wear those stir-up pants! you know what I am talking about the kind we wore in the 80s with the elastic strap on the bottom!!!

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

My personal opinion is that if you've worn a look in one decade, you should never repeat.:))

Suzi K said...

So funny! Agreed

Tisha Powell said...

This was wonderful! I completly agree, the 80's should not be repeated!!!! I have only seen one person that looks good in Skinny Jeans and she was 2 years old.

ExtraordinaryMommy said...

I laughed out loud at this - because I agree and because I could 'hear' your voice as I read....80's were BAD - no need to revisit!