While sparkle is a way to glam your gams, print will get you to the other extreme. Try this for a more urban look but beware—prints, especially when worn tight as with leggings, tends to create the illusion of more fullness. Now I don’t know about you, but I’m not trying to look bigger than I am. Okay, okay, there are some exceptions. For example, I do own a muted leopard legging which I find acceptable because of its dark colors. Light or bright colors are more difficult to pull off. If you’re bent on the idea of a printed bottom, opt for dark over light and small over large. Larger prints, you guessed it, make you look larger! I say don’t run the risk but if you insist, try a tie-dye which has at most two neutral colors (grey and white, blue and white, etc.). Tell us what you think and don’t forget to visit our sister property The Leggings.com

Numero uno: “They’re okay so long as your shirt covers you butt…otherwise it’s ghetto.” -Amy

Ah yes, we are all acutely aware of the controversy associated with the length of the shirt you choose to pair with your bottom huggers. I’m not too sure about “ghetto” but one thing’s for sure: it’s not the best look.

On to the next…“They’re horrible…especially the cheap ones that leave nothing to the imagination.” -Deirdre

Hmmm, maybe this is in reference to white leggings? I’m thinking if you’re leaning towards white and tight, you might as well forego pants altogether. Ya know, seeing how you can pretty much see directly through them! Don’t disappoint Deirdre, people…just. say. no.

“They are a disdain to fashion and usually make girls look like oompa loompas.” -Daniel

A little harsh? Maybe…The last time I checked, oompa loompas are orange but I think what dear Daniel means to say is they make girls look squat.

“The fact that Lindsay Lohan now has her own designer line of leggings should make a girl think twice before making the mistake of purchasing a pair…” -Dierdre

Poor L. Lohan just can’t win. We hear that Big Red is a cool half mil in debt, so maybe we should throw her a bone and buy a pair of her shredded leggings. Ya know, show some goodwill.

It seems as though the consensus is leggings are a no-go . Time to weigh in…I say green light ahead! No matter how others weigh in, I’m an advocate. Just be sure you know the basics. Avoid: prints, white (and any color other than clack), and anything too tight or too short up top. Consider yourself now passed in Leggings 101.   We’ve just launched a new Legging & Jegging Online Store that we think you’ll just love.

Once upon a time spandex pants were only available in Walmart for say, runners and stay-at-home-moms (no offense intended moms- we all know you have the toughest job there is). In case you’ve ever wondered, leggings became part of the fashion scene in the 1960s as a modification of capris pants (only tighter). Fashion designer, Patricia Field, claims she invented the modern leggings in the late 1970s. Sorry Patty, I’ve never heard of you. I did, however, do some investigating on your website– some cute accessories but for a pretty penny (and very similar to Betsy Johnson). What REALLY revived them back into mainstream fashion? For those of us born after 1980, I recall it being a little company called Abercrombie & Fitch. Now, we all know the aesthetic of the American company: distressed denim, flip-flops, and lots ‘n lots of brown! If you were ever a customer (I know, the things we learn) you might also remember the company’s inability to produce items appropriate for the fall and winter seasons. Around winter 2006 they marketed their staple denim miniskirts with brown or gray leggings (I only remember this because I was an unfortunate employee at the time).  Like it or not the A&F label IS fashion forward (they also were the first commercial carriers of skinny jeans).

As you may have figured from my previous rant (if you didn’t know before), there is a right way to wear leggings and there’s a wrong way.  Let’s talk “dos.”

Legging dos:

• Style with a relatively loose skirt, dress, or long shirt. Yes, one that covers the booty.
• Rock studs or black sequins (Heidi Klum style). Black ones are vanilla. Amp up your style with some embellishment!
• Wear a cropped pair that shows off your ankle. This balances out your top and bottom proportions. Ankle-length leggings create an upside-down triangle affect (not good) so avoid these unless you’re pairing them with a boot.
• Pair with heals and a long, baggy sweater for an easy sexy look.

Legging don’ts:

• Wear them as pants to work. Need I say more? Under dresses, however, is still acceptable.
• Rock any that have a graphic. This is bad no matter how skinny you are—it creates an illusion that you’re bigger than you actually are.
• White……..NEVER!  This just looks bad and you can usually see through them.
• Wear florescent ones and/or style them with a denim miniskirt unless under the age of 16
• “Jeggings.” If you don’t already know these are leggings meant to look like jeans. Leggings + jeans = jeggings. Let’s just say anything that tries to be two things at once is a bad idea (think mullets, skorts, and that weird peanut butter and jelly that comes in the same jar).

I, _____________________________, do solemnly swear to abide by the above leggings laws thereby sparing myself of public ridicule and thus ensuring complete fabulosity.  I hereby also commit myself to the betterment of womankind and pledge to pay this leggings knowledge forward to every sister, cousin, roommate, friend, and acquaintance thereby aiding Women Fashion Online’s initiative to make world a better dressed place.