Leggings

Stirrup pants: a fashion flashback

/ edebock / 7 Comments

logo-by-samWe all know that fashion repeats itself. If we wait long enough a style comes around again, although in some cases I really wonder why. After all, isn’t once sometimes enough? A perfect example of this is stirrup pants! Yes, that strange trend from the 1980s and early 90s is back again!

Stirrup pants 1980s

Stirrup pants weren’t a new creation of the 80s. They actually originated as equestrian gear in the 1920s. When women started to move away from riding sidesaddle and began wearing riding breeches similar to men’s, the straps were designed to keep their pants firmly in place inside their boots. Later, the style was adopted by skiers who first wore stirrup pants during the winter Olympics in Germany in the 1930s. Then came the fitness craze of the 1980s and stirrup pants made a comeback, but not just in the gym where they make a certain amount of sense. No, this time they became mainstream fashion.  

There’s almost always something a wee bit different about a style when it comes around again. This time, the stirrups are being made longer so that they can be worn outside the shoe instead of inside! As if stirrup pants weren’t already weird enough!

Also, keep in mind that many of the most recent iteration of stirrup pants are actually stirrup leggings and ladies, leggings are not pants! Unless you’re wearing them in the gym, please keep those butts covered.

I suspect that you’ve probably already guessed that I’m not adding stirrup pants to my fashion wish list. I wore them in the 80s, but this time around, I’ll pass. They weren’t comfortable or flattering then and I doubt that they’d be any more so now.  

What about you? Would you consider wearing them?

Images: Pinterest

Things I said I’d never wear

/ edebock / 4 Comments

LogoI still remember standing in the high school locker room after physical education class and seeing classmates of mine squeezing themselves back into their girdles. It wasn’t a pretty sight! They looked so uncomfortable that I immediately said to myself that I’d never, ever wear such a thing. Of course, I was skinny as a rail at the time, so it wasn’t something that I had to worry about. Shapewear has changed a lot in the 50+ years that have passed since I made that promise to myself. Soft, subtle pieces have replaced the “scaffolding” of yesteryear, but I haven’t broken my promise yet!

I also remember saying that I’d never wear an underwire bra. As a young girl, I thought that they would be just as uncomfortable as those structured girdles must have been. I’ve been wearing them for decades though, so never say never!

So, what else did I say I’d never wear?

Low-rise jeans. When those became popular in the 90s, I was sure I’d never wear them. I still think they’re one of the worst trends ever, but eventually I had to give in when there was nothing else to be found. Now, I still have a couple of pairs in my closet that I hate to part with. I like everything about them except the low rise. With muffin top spilling over, they really ought to be worn with shapewear! 🤣 Instead, I wear them with loose fitting tops that hide that problem area. I’m very glad that higher rises are back in style though.

Distressed jeans. Distressed anything actually. I just can’t see the point of buying clothes that look like they’re already worn out. My view on this one has softened somewhat though. While I’ve yet to actually wear any of them, I have seen some tastefully distressed pieces that I might not say no to. On the other hand, I’ve also seen jeans that are barely there, ones that have more holes than fabric! Those are still a definite never!

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Cropped pants. I’ve always liked capri pants, or pedal pushers as we called them when I was a child, but when longer cropped pants came into style I didn’t think I’d ever wear them. For a long-legged gal who often had trouble finding pants that were long enough, purposely buying a pair that ended at the ankle seemed counterintuitive! I didn’t hold out on this trend for very long though and soon found myself adding them to my summer wardrobe. Again, never say never, I guess!

Leggings as pants. There is absolutely nothing wrong with leggings. I own several pairs, but they are not the same as pants!  I’m not a proponent of fashion rules of any kind, but when it comes to leggings, unless they’re being worn strictly as exercise wear, I think they need to be worn with a long top, a tunic, or a dress.

Crocs. I’m sorry, I know lots of people love them and say that they’re comfortable, but those colourful rubber (technically resin) shoes are a big NO for me! Apparently it was Stacy London who said, “If Crocs were the last shoes on earth, I would cut off my feet.” I might not go that far, but in my opinion, they’re just plain ugly!

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Now it’s your turn. Are there things that you would never wear? Have you ever said that you’d never wear something and then changed your mind?

Jeggings and pearls

/ edebock / 6 Comments

LogoJeans + Leggings = Jeggings

Early on one of our recent walks around the central core of Coatepec, Mexico a pair of jeggings on a mannequin standing outside one of the many tiny clothing shops caught my eye. These were jeggings with a twist. Not only were they leggings designed to look like tight jeans, but they were studded with imitation pearls. I looked but kept on walking. Later, as we circled around and headed back toward our friends’ house where we were staying, we passed the shop again and this time I couldn’t resist taking a closer look.

Entering the store, I looked around but didn’t see more of the jeggings anywhere. Approaching the clerk, I asked “Hablas Ingles?” (Do you speak English?) and as usual, the response was “No”. Beckoning for her to follow me out front, I pointed to the jeggings. “Grande o pequeño?” I asked. (Large or small?) Though I tend to wear a size medium in most things, that word wasn’t part of my extremely limited Spanish vocabulary yet! “Uno talla,” was the response. (One size) I recognized the word “uno” and that was enough to tell me that this was a one size fits all garment. The clerk took them off the mannequin and I held them up to myself to ensure that they were long enough. They were and my mind was made up. They were coming home with me! It didn’t hurt that the price was only 100 pesos; less than $7 CAD!

With their cozy fleece lining, these jeggings are surprisingly warm. In fact, since returning to Canada, I wore them outside at -27ºC (-17ºF) and didn’t freeze! Granted, I only walked half a block from the grocery store to the post office and back again, but they were plenty adequate for that. It may seem surprising that I was able to buy something this warm in Mexico, but Coatepec is in the highlands where it can get a bit chilly at this time of year. Since their homes aren’t insulated and don’t have central heating the people tend to dress quite warmly.

I strongly believe that leggings are not pants and that they should be worn with tops that are long enough to cover the buttocks and crotch. I’m undecided where these new jeggings are concerned though. Clearly, the pearl studded imitation pockets on the front and the details on the back are meant to be seen.

 

Screen Shot 2019-02-11 at 6.02.45 PMPearl embellished clothing has been very much on trend for the past year or so. I’ve seen sweaters, dresses, jeans, and even shoes adorned with imitation pearls. One of my favourite fashion bloggers, Josephine of Chic At Any Age, wore this cute pearl studded beret in one of her recent posts.

Adding faux pearls to a garment that you already own would also be a simple DIY project. I’d thought of doing that to a pair of jeans, but now that I have my pearl studded jeggings, I won’t need to!

Leggings are not pants!

/ edebock / 9 Comments

logoAt a recent gathering of women, I was delighted to hear a stylish young lady proclaim that “Leggings are not pants!” I couldn’t agree more. Leggings are one of the most comfortable things you can wear, but there are ways to wear this go-to wardrobe staple well and ways that they ought not to be worn.

In most cases, I’m not a proponent of fashion rules of any kind, but I do believe in dressing modestly and when it comes to leggings it shouldn’t even have to be said, but please cover your butt and cover your crotch! Even if they are completely opaque, unless you’re wearing them strictly as exercise wear, don’t wear leggings with a short top. Longer tops, tunics and oversized cardigans are the perfect choice. Secondly, for a more flattering look, choose a loose fitting top to offset the narrowness of the legs. A clingy, tight all over look really isn’t becoming.

Personally, I’m not particularly fond of brightly patterned leggings, but if you do like wearing snowflakes, reindeer or other colourful prints on your legs, just go for something simple up top. Here, I’ve paired my only patterned leggings, Safari from cabi, with a top that I bought in Japan several years ago to create a comfy, evening at home look.

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The skirt over pants trend is big this season. Growing up in the “olden days” when girls had to wear skirts to school, I remember wearing pants under my dresses on cold winter mornings and taking them off when I got to school. Perhaps that’s why I’ve had trouble adopting this look, but I do like the less bulky alternative of skirt over leggings.

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Here, in a photo clearly taken before winter arrived in Alberta, I’ve paired a lightweight pair of leggings with a simple pencil skirt that I’ve had for years and the thrifted black lace top that I first mentioned here.

Wondering what kind of footwear to wear with your leggings? There are plenty of options. For a casual, sporty look try wearing them with a cute pair of sneakers. For a dressier look pair good quality black leggings with something more formal, such as a blazer, and wear them with a dressy pair of sandals, flats or pumps. Leggings worn with an oversized cardigan and knee-high boots is a classic look for fall and winter. A pair of knitted or crocheted boot cuffs, all the rage at the moment, add a bit of polish to the look.

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The cardigan I’m wearing here was another thrift store purchase. The t-shirt, from Reitmans, was a gift from a friend, the leggings are from Jockey, and the slouchy black Brash boots are from Payless. I’ve had all these items for at least two or three years, but worn together they create a look that’s right on trend.

It’s a good idea to consider the length of your legs when deciding whether to wear heels or flats with your leggings. If you are short your legs will appear longer if you wear wedges, stilettos or high-heeled boots, but if you’re tall, like I am, flats will also look fine.

Just remember, though, whatever you wear them with, leggings are not pants!