It’s that time of the year… where you want to bundle up in your comfy leggings to brace the cold weather but aren’t sure how to wear them. Not to mention the tights vs. bare legs dilemma when throwing on a dress. That’s why I teamed up with Sara Shookman, Cleveland’s WKYC 3 team, and Cascades Boutique in Chagrin Falls to talk through when and how to wear these cozy pieces.

Are Leggings Pants?

“LEGGINGS ARE NOT PANTS”

I know I know… you don’t want to hear that! Leggings are so comfortable and easy to throw on. I get it! As your casual at-home or workout uniform they’re totally acceptable. But when it comes to looking polished and put-together you’ll want to swap them out for a different type of pant.

What to wear instead of leggings?

Instead of wearing athletic-type leggings, swap them out for a ponte pant. This creates a more polished and put-together look because the fabric is slightly dressier. A ponte pant will be made out of a thicker version of that comfy and stretchy material and will have some kind of pant-like feature (think belt loops, pockets, or even a seam down the front.)

You’ll want to pair these tighter pants with a longer looser blouse, cardigan, and/or jacket to ensure your bottom is covered and you’re not worried you’re hanging out. This also allows you to balance out your shape, so your entire outfit isn’t skin tight or super baggy.

Another way to infuse leggings into your wardrobe is by wearing a tunic dress (i.e. a dress that is too short to wear without bottoms but too long to wear with regular pants). To complete your look (and to make sure your legs aren’t too exposed) pair this outfit with tall boots.

Do I Wear Leggings Or Tights With a Dress?

You’ll want to pull your tights out when wearing your dresses in the cold winter months.

It’s best to pair your tights with boots or booties, and in some cases, pointed toe heels.

Opt for a sheer pair of black tights so you can see some skin underneath. This creates additional layers and dimension, and ensures you don’t look like one continuous piece of fabric from your shoulders to your feet.

If you plan on wearing tights often, consider investing in a good pair that won’t snag and will last you a while.

I love the brands:

• Spanx
• Commando
• Sheertex

If you’re only wearing them once or twice a season, a less expensive pair from Target or Amazon will do just fine.

When it comes to caring for your tights, check out this video I did with Sara that teaches you how to extend their life.

Can I Go Bare Leg In The Winter?

Going to a formal event or out for a date night? Sometimes your outfit will call for no tights at all. Typically this is when your dress is too formal to pair with black sheer tights or if you’re wearing an open toe shoe.

When it comes to wearing a bare leg it really all comes down to comfort. If you don’t feel comfortable going tights-less, try switching up your outfit to a dress you can wear with tights with or pants.

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Special thanks to Gray Opal Studio for the extra on camera bling as seen on the models. You can pick up these pieces and more by stopping into Cascades Boutique in Chagrin Falls, OH.

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3 Women’s Fashion Faux Pas To Avoid

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