Absolutely every woman can wear either leggings and tights. While both are intended to pull an outfit together, a few rules do apply. For one, leggings are a fashion staple since they're easy to coordinate. Unlike tights, they can be worn throughout the year. Here's what you need to know.
What they have in common:
- Both can be worn under a tunic, depending on the hemline. Never wear tights with a long shirt or tunic that doesn’t fall well below the buttocks.
- Both can be worn with a ballerina shoe, a high heel, an ankle boot and a tall boot.
- Both tights and leggings are sold in a wide array of designs, textures and colourful patterns.
How they differ
Tights
- They're worn under a skirt, dress or shorts and usually reserved for colder weather.
- Tights provide full coverage (including the foot) and as a result create the illusion of a continuous line and a longer leg. Petite women benefit from this extension, whereas legging hems tend to "cut" the leg line making them look shorter.
- Tights can be very effective in shaping and toning the appearance of the belly, hips, buttocks and upper thighs.
Leggings
- Basic cotton leggings are available for as low a $10, while high-end prêt-a-porter versions easily reach over $100.
- They're much more durable than tights and therefore more resistant to holes and runs in the fabric (avoid leggings that are too thin and sheer).
- Leggings look appropriate with a long sweater, a tunic, or a long shirt paired with a short jacket.
- Leggings are thicker and warmer than tights. They come in a range of fabrics suitable to wear throughout the year. Faux leather, faux suede and textured faux crocodile leggings look chic and modern.
- Women with larger frames and midriffs can benefit from control-top leggings. However, some women have remarked that a waistband panel tends to roll at the stomach. If you want to slim your figure, control-top tights are a more effective option.
- Mid calf capri-leggings are worth a try for adding variety to your outfit.
- Ankle length leggings can pose a challenge for petite women by making legs look shorter.
Be aware of a couple fashion don'ts if you're trying leggings or tights for the first time:
1. Wearing leggings as if they were pants.
If you have a particularly thin figure and wear them for jogging, leggings can be worn with a long top. The absolute limit for top and sweater hem lengths is the mid-buttock; anything shorter will leave you overexposed.
2. Forgetting to take into account the fabric of the dress you’re wearing with tights.
A dress that clings to your tights can ruin your day. To stop your dress from hiking up, choose textures that are glossy or silky to prevent bunching.
