Meggings: A response

Every so often a fashion trend reemerges, is picked up by the media, and is immediately dismissed as silly. This seems to happen most often in regard to fashion for men. Most recently, New York Magazine blogger, Amy Odell, lobbed a lighthearted attack on what she so shortsightedly sees as recent development in the world of men's clothing. However, her observation, assessment, and subsequent clever, yet carefully worded man-bash, couldn't be more off base.
She starts off on the right foot but immediately steps afoul with this misguided insight:

"Men wear them year-round as a fun way to practice layering, mix up everyday proportions, and stay warm. It was only a matter of time before men discovered what Lindsay Lohan discovered about leggings long ago"

Then, to add insult to injury she follows up with this jab:

"Because whatever women fall in love with, men will inevitably fall in love with some years later, like manpris, mirdles, or short shorts, to name a few."

Rest assured, Ms. Odell, men are not wearing leggings because of the fashion leadership of the train wreck that is Lindsay Lohan. Moreover, men are not wearing leggings "because whatever women fall in love with, men will inevitably fall in love with some years later."

Men wear leggings because they, as you almost, kind-of-sort-of alluded to, are practical, utilitarian articles of clothing that can augment the terribly limited number of options men have when it comes to getting dressed in the morning. Not only that, men have been wearing leggings pre-Lindsay Lohan, pre-Givenchy, pre-bike messenger and skateboarder (for the last 20 years, at least). Well beyond that, men have been donning tights of all descriptions since about the 14th century.

This, albeit cute, argument of yours is a dis-acknowledgment that designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, and later, Liz Claiborne, with their traditionally masculine clothing designs for women, ever existed. It's a shame, these days, how easy it is to belittle and dismiss instead of embrace and appreciate those who dare to wear what they want, where they want, when they want.