Legging Dos & Don’ts Over 50

Fabletics SculptKnit High-Waisted Legging

Style Stop
By Linda Peavy

Leggings! We love the way they make our legs look, but as we mature, we become hesitant to wear them. We fear too-tight, too-revealing pants that cling to every imperfection. But you CAN rock these super comfortable, stretchy and stylish pants at ANY age. How? By following these dos and don’ts, that’s how!

1. DO Wear Tops That Cover Your, um, Lady Parts
Choosing tops that at least cover your tush, pelvis and upper thighs will help leave something to the imagination and conceal a bit of cellulite in the bargain. If you’re on the petite side, though, make sure your top doesn’t go down any further than your butt, or it will make your legs look shorter and stouter.

NOTE: Cardigans over T-shirts and tanks add a touch of modesty and give you extra warmth on chilly evenings.

2. DON’T Skimp on Quality
Trust me; this is not the place to penny-pinch! Cheap fabrics and poorly cut garments inevitably lead to over-stretching, see-through areas, and tearing.

Instead, invest in high-quality activewear, jeggings (denim leggings) and faux leather (YES!) leggings with high, thick waistbands. In addition to lasting longer, these types will smooth out any problem areas.

NOTE: Avoid cotton. While cotton leggings may be tempting for breathability, cotton fibers are very delicate and will not last as long as more durable fabrics like polyester and nylon.

3. DO Wear Shoes in the Same Color
Wearing the same color shoe as the leggings will give you a few extra inches of visual height, making your legs appear longer and leaner!

4. DON’T Wear Chunky, Clunky Shoes
Nothing negates the slimming effect of leggings like topping them off with heavy, clunky footwear. Stick to strappy sandals in the summer or flat boots in the winter. Sneakers can be worn if they don’t have thick tongues or too-long laces.

5. DO Take Proper Care of Them
Just like anything else in life, the better you take care of your leggings, the longer they will last. Washing and drying leggings properly is the key to maintaining their stretch, hold and shape. Follow these five steps to extend the life of your leggings.

• Turn them inside out to preserve colors.
• Put them in a mesh laundry bag to keep them from getting snagged in the washer.
• Use a detergent designed for active wear like Tide Plus Febreze High-Efficiency Liquid Laundry Detergent – Sport Active Fresh to remove stubborn odors and prevent pilling and stretching.
• Be gentle! Either hand wash them or use the gentle cycle on your washing machine to ward off shrinkage.

NOTE: Nix the fabric softeners because they usually contain silicone, which reduces the effectiveness of the moisture-wicking properties of many leggings, especially activewear ones.

• Do not put them in the dryer! Letting them air-dry while laying flat is the best way to avoid the damage your dryer’s high heat can cause to their fabrics.

Time to Shop!
Now that we know the best way to wear them, let’s get some leggings!

Athletic leggings:

Style Shop Favorite: Athleta: Rainer Tight

Style Shop Favorite: Fabletics: SculptKnit^® High-Waisted Legging

Jeggings (denim leggings):

Style Shop Favorite: Avenue: Hi-Rise Jegging Jean Black – Tall

Faux leather leggings:

Style Stop Favorite: Spanx: Faux Leather Leggings

Want more style ideas for mature bodies? Get your copy of my new book, The Cultured Curves Guide to Style for Mature Curvy Women, on Amazon.com. 

Hashtags: #styleover50 #leggings #legwear #plussizefashion