In this week’s Fashion Q and A, Cosmopolitan.com’s Style Editor,
Charles Manning, answers your questions about how to wear leggings,
finding the right sports bra, and what to consider when buying your
first pair of real leather pants.
Q: Is it ever OK to wear leggings as pants?
A: A couple of years ago I would have said "no,
never outside the gym or only as a layering piece under a skirt." But
over the last few years, the line between what is a pant and what is a
legging has been so blurred (hello, jeggings!) that it feels wrong to
write off all leggings as being gym- or innerwear-exclusive.
For me, it really boils down to the thickness of the fabric and how
you style them. If your leggings are flimsy enough that you can see
through them in direct sunlight, then they’re not really pants, they’re
underwear. Assuming your leggings are fully opaque, you still shouldn't
wear them like you would any other pair of pants, because they're not
like any other pair of pants. Instead, keep your look relaxed and layer
up. Throw on a longer top to cover your waistband and most of the rise —
the area between the crotch and the waistband. Then add a jacket that
is longer than the top and wear it open in the front. Throw on some
other stuff too while you’re at it: socks and boots,
jewelry, a sweater. Add some prints and graphics in there too. Create
some visual interest so the leggings don't dominate the look. And
please, no shiny leggings. Ever. They just look cheap and overly tight
and that's no good.
From left to right: Rachel McAdams; Zoe Huxford; Jessica Alba
Q: I buy regular sports bras, but since I have big boobs I
always end up needing to wear two. Is there a strong option for D+ girls
that doesn't look totally clinical?
A: My personal favorite for this is Freya. The British bra maker really knows its stuff when it comes to making bras for D+ girls
that are both beautiful and functional, and their sports bras come in
both wired and wireless styles. Panache is another great brand for style
and function and fits anyone from a B to an H cup.
In general, if you have larger breasts,
you want to look for a sports bra that says “high impact” or “high
support.” Often these bras will have more coverage in front, stronger
stretch (so you don't have to wear two), real bra closures in back, and
fully adjustable straps. Sweaty Betty has a bra called the Ultra Run
that has really nice color blocking and is available up to a 36F.
Q: I really want a pair of leather pants, but I’m not sure if it’s worth spending $800 - $1000 on them.
A: Real leather pants are a big investment, so
you’ve got to make sure you are going to get enough wear out of them to
really justify the expense. Given that you probably cannot wear them to
work (unless you work at Cosmo!), you want to make sure they will
integrate seamlessly into your weekend wardrobe. Before you make up your
mind, try a great pair of faux leather pants
and see how often you actually wear them. A really great faux leather
is almost indistinguishable from the real thing, especially at a
distance, so you might find that you don't actually want real leather at
all.
If and when you do decide that you’re ready for the real deal,
consider a pair of paneled pants with leather in the front and fabric in
the back. They’re less expensive than full leather pants, but give
practically the same look. If you choose full leather, keep in mind that
leather stretches out over time and can be very difficult to adjust, so
make sure the fit is perfect and look for something with a little
stretch to help them hold their shape.
By Charles Manning
