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How to Wear Leggings {Modestly}

by Rachelle Rea 15 Comments

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How to Wear Leggings {Modestly} on @Adornabelle

For months, I resisted the leggings revolution. Because I feared they would make me look shorter than I am. Because I feared their similarity to hose and thought that they would be uncomfortable. Because I didn’t want to wear nothing but a miniskirt over them.

I believed all of these leggings myths:

Myth #1: Leggings make you look short.

Leggings are really glorified hose, one step up from tights, when you think about it. They cling skin-tight. They stretch leg-long. I wear hose, don’t I (when I can’t avoid it)? Just like classic hose, leggings dress up outfits when worn modestly.

Myth #2: Leggings are uncomfortable.

The first time I wore leggings, I didn’t want to take them off. True story. Far from being itchy and unnatural (as I have found hose to be), leggings feel like pajama pants, soft, warm, and cozy. I think this is why the third myth came into being…

Myth #3: Leggings are pants.

Leggings are not pants. Unfortunately. They are comfortable, stylish, and even in right now, so I sort of wish I could wear them as pants. But I wouldn’t dare, for they are too tight to pass my modesty test. They are just not a substitute for a sturdy pair of slacks or jeans.

Even though wearing leggings {modestly} as pants is impossible for me, I still love my leggings! Why?

Truth #1: Leggings make you look put-together.

And who doesn’t need a little style organization on a busy Monday morning when I forgot to plan my outfit the night before (okay, so that’s most Monday mornings)? Leggings allow me to yank a skirt from the closet, pull a blouse from the drawer, put it all together, and look somewhat finished. Like I planned it. There’s just something about leggings beneath a skirt that gives a girl that classic Audrey Hepburn feel…

Truth #2: Leggings are not only comfortable, they’re warm.

I originally bought my first pair of leggings because I was going to the mountains in November for a dear friend’s wedding. (May I repeat: The mountains. In November. That spells cold for this Southern seaside town girl!) I knew I wanted to wear a dress, and I knew I needed something to prevent my knees and below from freezing. Leggings fit the bill because they are so tight and thereby keep you snug.

Truth #2: Leggings are perfect for skirts.

I’ve grown girlier since I got leggings. By that, I mean that I wear even more skirts and dresses than I did before. Because now I know that skirt/dress + leggings will equal one put-together outfit. Not only that, but they are just as comfortable (and warmer) than pants. Best of all, they are modest beneath knee-length skirts.

They go great with my short boots, too.

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About Rachelle Rea

Rachelle is an author and editor who would much rather shop for books than for clothes (this must be why malls were invented). Her favorite accessories are a smile and a scarf. Her debut novel releases next year.

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Filed Under: Accessorize, Fashion, Quick Styles

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brooke says

    May 23, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    Hi Rachelle! Thanks for the tips, I have 2 questions.

    1. What do you think of wearing leggings with a long enough high-low top?

    2. Would you like to do a guest post about modest is hottest specifically talking about dressing (but modest) in a modern world for my two blogs? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Rachelle Rea says

      July 16, 2014 at 3:52 pm

      Thanks for commenting, Brooke! And for the invitation. I’m going to say no for now, but I’m honored you asked.

      Also, about wearing leggings with a top, I consider that immodest for me, unless it’s a dress that hits maybe as high as above-my-knee. 🙂 Any higher and it just gets inconvenient to move. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Miss Rachel says

    March 19, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    Love it, Shell! 😀 I’m glad you’re enjoying trending and keeping your legs warm. I’ve thought of getting some as we wear skirts most of the time, just because I like them more, and thus here in the bitter cold north our legs gets quite chilly! I love how they can make a shorter skirt look more modest too, which is very convenient. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Anjanette says

    March 14, 2014 at 8:33 pm

    Leggings as pants are very in right now with the college age women here. I don’t think it looks cute at all. Just kinda looks like they forgot a layer. 🙂 The slightly older girls wear short skirts with theirs and while it doesn’t increase the modesty a ton, it definitely looks more put together! At 30, I love that I can layer leggings and look stylish and youthful but still be fulfilling a practical need for warmth and coverage. 🙂

    And I’m thankful that, here in Alaska, boots are always in style. 🙂

    Reply
    • Rachelle Rea says

      March 18, 2014 at 9:38 am

      Hi Anjanette! As a college student, I do see the leggings-as-pants look quite often. I think that’s one of the reasons I held out against getting my own for so long–I thought I had to wear them like that. 🙂 But instead I can use them as you mentioned, another layer for warmth, etc. 🙂

      Yay for boots! 🙂

      Reply
  4. ashley amanda says

    March 1, 2014 at 7:44 am

    You can also wear leggings with a really long sweater and a belt. Which is my personal favorite! Or how about one of those boho-chic numbers that you arent entirely sure if they are a long shirt or a short dress? Save the confusion by tossing a pair of leggings on with them. 🙂

    Reply
    • Rachelle Rea says

      March 6, 2014 at 2:54 pm

      Good points, Ashley. I just have to be sure they’re modest “short” dresses and then I’m good. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Hannah Fellows says

    February 26, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    Oooh!! I finally got a chance to read this…and LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! I am short too, and really love my leggings! They are so great for allowing me to wear short skirts in the winter and give such a great look to boots and, well, any outfit!! I’m currently on the hunt for capri length leggings that I can wear in the summer with my shorter skirts and sandals. 😀

    Thanks for the great post!! <3

    Reply
    • Rachelle Rea says

      February 28, 2014 at 2:38 pm

      Capri length leggings sound like the bomb, too, Hannah! It may be a little warm (okay, a lotta warm) for my corner of the South for me to be wearing leggings after April, but I’ll know that’s an option. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Kalyn Brooke | Creative Savings says

    February 25, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    I’ve always been scared to wear leggings, not necessarily because of modesty, but because I wasn’t sure how to wear them! Thanks for the great post and ideas!

    Reply
    • Rachelle Rea says

      February 25, 2014 at 3:45 pm

      Sooo glad this was helpful to you, then, Kalyn!

      Reply
  7. Melinda says

    February 20, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    Rachelle,

    I really appreciate your insight into this topic! Very well written and helpful! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Rachelle Rea says

      February 22, 2014 at 10:06 am

      Thanks, Melinda! That means a lot! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Jaclynn says

    February 18, 2014 at 2:30 pm

    I just started incorporating leggings into my wardrobe because most of my skirts/dresses can be more on the summer side of things and I needed to stay warm and still look good for my profession (lol). They are perfect with a sweater dress and a pair of tall boots or with a mid length skirt and blouse and flats!

    Reply
    • Rachelle Rea says

      February 22, 2014 at 10:09 am

      Jaclynn, I haven’t had a chance to try my leggings with flats yet, so thanks for that idea! 🙂

      Reply

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