The skinny on leggings: A fashionista’s guide for Fall

October 13, 4:24 PMLexington Fashion ExaminerMae Manacap-Johnson

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 NYC's black leggings are versatile for Fall.

With temperature dipping, Fall has certainly arrived. But while it’s time to temporarily retire summer’s teeny-weeny shorts or spring’s maxi dresses, Lexington’s fashionistas need not look sloppy with slouchy sweaters and pants.  

After all, Fall is anything but boring.

Figure-hugging leggings, for one, are seen in a splash of you-can’t-miss-me colors and come in either sexy lace fabrics or edgy spandex. 

And since no one can ever have too many pairs, stock up with more stylish “leg warmers”. When shopping, keep these tips in mind.

When afraid, stick to the basics.
It’s no secret. Leggings are not exactly for the weak of heart, especially because these cling to the legs in an unforgiving way. That said, stick to the basics. You can never go wrong with solid and neutral black, brown and gray footless leggings. Not only are these slimming, they can also be paired with ease. Check out Dillards’ Sugar Lips long and seamless leggings.

Play with details.
This season’s leggings are never drab. Play with fun details to keep your Fall look fierce. Zippers give leggings an edgy look, while a little contrast stitching makes leggings stand out. Don’t shy away from sequins. Every girl needs a dash of glitter every once in a while. And in case you dare wear prints, go all the way with leopard spots or zebra stripes. Just remember to pair these bold choices with solid, basic tops to keep the overall look bold yet classy.

Splash it up with colors.
Who says you can only wear black? All you need to do is check out Rue 21’s shelf to know that this season’s leggings are splashed with colors. Try brights to offset Fall’s gloomy shades. Keep in mind though that hot fuchsia, teal and neon leggings are best worn with muted prints and monochromatic tunics. A word to the wise: Consider age and shape when choosing colors. The rule-of-thumb is the slimmer your legs and the younger you are, the easier for you to get away with flashy colors.

Stock up on key partner pieces.
Keep in mind that leggings are meant to be worn with certain types of clothing. Never wear tees and short tops with a pair of form-fitting leggings as they can look not only tacky, but even indecent in public. Instead, invest on little dresses, mini skirts, dressy shorts and tunic tops. For style ideas, check out Express. The trendy boutique pairs their leggings with sequinned dress shirts.

Experiment with footwear.
Leggings, much like the skinny jeans, are versatile to wear as far as pairing the perfect footwear is concerned. Depending on the final look meant to be achieved, mix things up with ballet flats, heeled or flat boots, patent wedges and stiletto pumps. The shoes, along with one’s choice of top, often define how casual or edgy you may want to go. The key is to decide which direction to take, and stick to the overall look.