leggings were EVERYWHERE so quickly that they were deemed ‘over’ before they really had a chance to get started; fall is their primetime. they’ll extend the wear of summer dresses for another two months, and come winter, they’re cozier than tights (and can be layered on top of them) and can be worn with boots. and with anna sui, behnaz sarafpour, imitation of christ, and jovovich-hawk showing leggings with their Spring 2007 collections (to say nothing of nearly every major fall06 show), they’re legitimately fashionable and not going away anytime soon. the trick to separating yourself from the legions of forever 21 teens (i’m not hating. i shop there. you shop there. but admit it; we are not their target demographic.) is to wear them WELL and wear them AS YOUR OWN. tips:
no mas jean skirt. when leggings hit street fashion last spring/summer this was a really fresh look, but it's now been done to death. if you can’t give up the leggings-and-denim combo at least try something new: leggings under a pair of otherwise-too-short jean shorts, frayed (with converse or hightops and a t-shirt; though i admit, it's getting a little cold for that) or cuffed (with a longer top, cropped jacket and boots) would both look sharp. or be the one to find a new interpretation of the skirt idea – just avoid at all costs the longish, ill-fitting jean skirt worn over leggings that are bunching, very unfortunately, at the knees.
get fit. leggings can be flattering on many different body types, but they are a purposely body-conscious style and you’re not doing yourself any favors when they’re too large or small. they should fit like tights - skinny jeans look great bunched at the ankles and knees but if your leggings are doing the same then you need a smaller size. too small, though, and you'll get that sweet bulge at the hips and where ever they hit on your legs. Very Unattractive. if you’re having difficulty finding a pair that fit well, try buying low-rise knit tights and cutting the feet off. this is also a great alternative to those “footless tights,” which tend to be banded at the bottom a little too tightly - and this way you can also customize the length. and while length is another point of contention, as a general rule i’d go with the shorter the top, the longer the leggings.
don’t even consider: above-the-knee cuts (grunge is back, but the biker shorts of the early 90s are NOT), running shoes (save it for the gym), flip-flops (save it for the west coast), or wearing anything on top that doesn’t cover your bum. stilettos are also, in my opinion, Not Good, but you do what you like.

if you're still of the i-hate-leggings camp (and many, many people are) try tights instead, they're available in all the same colors and you'll probably run less of a chance of inciting anyone's anger. both tights and leggings can be found on the cheap at target (around $8), and while my favorite pair of leggings i got for around $1 at a thrift store, my american apparel ones ($26-$36) run a very close second.


picture 1 from american apparel; picture 2 lifted from the cobra snake.