Fashion and comfort don’t go together. There has always been that divide between looking good and being comfortable. But for some reason there has been a sudden thrust into the unlawful combination. For those who are unaware, or haven’t been out lately, I’m talking about the current fashion ‘trend’, leggings.

They are everywhere; on girls of all shapes and sizes and this so called ‘fashion’ statement is spreading like the plague. Women of all ages have gone against the original purpose of leggings and now wear them as a substitute for pants. Although leggings are designed to help to keep the body warm, they are not pants.

The definition for leggings is the following: 1- an extra outer covering for the lower legs and 2- close-fitting trousers for women and children. I’ve highlighted the above word for a number of reasons.

One should know synonyms for extra include also and surplus; meaning leggings should be worn as an extra garment to add to the outfit worn. Nowhere does it state leggings should be worn alone. But girls are now wearing them as a fashion ‘look’ and are considered the most fashionable ‘pant’ to wear on a daily basis.

Trousers are made specifically to we worn alone, Leggings more of an added extra, an undergarment that should be added under skirts or dresses to keep the legs warm, whilst remaining fashionable. It doesn’t matter if you are the infamous size zero or an average size 12, leggings do not highlight your body features. If anything, the tight fitting (non) pant accentuates curves in all the wrong places. You may feel comfortable, but you do not look fashionable.

This highlights my second point. Comfort cannot be combined with fashion. In the 80’s leggings were worn with oversized t-shirts and singlets but were worn as work out clothes. The best advice you can take from the 80’s era is that leggings were worn behind closed doors. Somehow today, this look has been brought out on to the street and celebrities like Lindsey Lohan have made the ‘casual’ look come to life.

Not only that, the tight fitting leggings are dressed up with designer tops and jewellery, creating confusion as to what ‘look’ one wishes to convey to the world. If you are going to wear leggings, make sure you use them for their original purpose, not as a substitute for pants. When used as an ‘undergarment’ they can highlight your figure and bring an outfit to life. Don’t conform to the mixed-match, half casual half class image, and do something about the over tight leg-hugging (un) fashionable statement.