Skinny Jeans + Leggings = Jeggings

Whether you follow the latest fashion trends or not, one thing is clear to anyone who can see: leggings are H.O.T! As a matter of fact, they have been at the very top of every must-have fashion list for the past few years. A pair of solid knit leggings is now considered a basic wardrobe staple. Quite the change from the beginning of this decade, when leggings were spotted few and far between. So does this mean that leggings are here to stay permanently? Possibly. Only time will tell. But right now, they're definitely not going away anytime soon. Another trend that has been popular for the past few years (even though it hasn't blown up to the extent that leggings have) is the skinny jean. Skinny jeans have been on the must-have lists for a while too (I also believe that this is the best thing that's happened to jeans for us shorter girls). Skinny jeans and leggings have a lot in common. They're both super comfortable, both extremely flattering on us vertically challenged ladies, and both look great when paired with tunic tops, shirt dresses, mini dresses, and oversized tees/sweatshirts. They're also both nice for tucking into slouch or over-the-knee boots. So what's the perfect combination of both fabulous trends? Denim leggings (also known as jeggings)! Jeggings are basically the love child of both trends. They look like your typical pair of skinny jeans but feel more like leggings once you put them on. If you need a visual aid, take a look at my little jegging finds below.

Bubblegum Stretch Legging Jean, $24.90, available in 0-10, alloy.com

The Legging, $29.90, available in sizes 5-11, alloy.com

Legging Jean, $39.50, available in sizes 00-14, ae.com

Denim Leggings, $59.50, available in sizes 00-18, anntaylorloft.com

Acid Wash Leggings, $20.00, available in sizes SM-XL, bakersshoes.com

Seamless Leggings, $20.00, available in sizes S/M and M/L, bakersshoes.com

Daddy Long Legs Denim Leggings, $38.00, shown in black; also available in blue, sizes Small-Large, bloomingdales.com

Hue Denim Leggings, $28.00, shown in navy; also availab le in black, sizes X Small-X Large, bloomingdales.com

Denim Legging, $24.50, available in sizes S-L, delias.com

Grey Denim Leggings, $16.99, available in sizes SM-LG, hottopic.com

JOLT 4-Way Stretch Pull on Legging, $42.00, available in sizes 1-13, joltstyle.com

Mudd Skinny Legging Jeans, $27.99, shown in navy; also available in black, sizes 0-17, kohls.com

Black Legging, $16.99, available in sizes 3-7, mandee.com

Black Stitch Legging, $16.99, available in sizes 3-7, mandee.com

Denim Legging, $12.49, available in sizes 5 and 7, mandee.com

Fire Stretch Knit Denim Leggings, $10.90, available in sizes Medium and Large, nordstrom.com

Grane Electric Stretch Denim Legging, $29.99, shown in indigo; also available in black, sizes 0-13, sears.com

Rewind Skinny Legging Jean, $27.99, shown in dark grey; available in denim indigo khaki, sizes 1-13, sears.com

Tyte Black Carbon Wash Back Flap Legging, $14.99, available in sizes 1-13, sears.com

Tyte Side Rouched Skinny Legging Jean, $19.99, available in sizes 1-13, sears.com

Juniors Xhilaration Denim Leggings, $9.99, available in sizes X-Small-XX-Large, target.com

Denim Legging, $49.50, available in sizes 8 and 10, express.com

Legging Denim, $19.50, shown in grey; also available in dark sandblast, rinse, medium sandblast, and black, sizes XS-XL, wetseal.com

For a fun fall look, wear your denim leggings with a shirt dress and a pair of peep-toe booties (or slouch boots during the winter). Another cute look for fall would be pairing jeggings with a 2fer tank dress, a shrug, a cuff bracelet, and some cowboy boots. To look like you borrowed your boyfriends clothes, pair denim leggings with an oversized t-shirt, a boyfriend cardigan, and some sneakers. For Thanksgiving dinner with the family, wear your jeggings with a two-tone tunic, a pair of ballet flats, a bib necklace, and a beret. To dress down a fancy look, wear denim leggings with a sequin mini dress, high-heel shoes, chandelier earrings, and a fringe handbag. This would be a great look for a more casual setting during the holidays and New Year's Eve (in case you're already planning for that). Tell me if you have any more ideas for styling jeggings.

Shirting The Issue

With plaid and ripped denim being big trends right now, it's clear that the 1990's grunge look is back in a big way. What else would fit in with the grunge trend? How about shirt dresses? A shirt dress is a button-down dress that will often have a collar, cuffed sleeves, and/or pockets as well. A lot of the styles of shirt dresses I've seen have a plaid or vertical stripe pattern. The more girly styles may have a polka dot print or other feminine details like ruffles. I've also found some shirt dresses with more modified details such cinching at the waist (to help define the waistline). I even managed to dig up some sleeveless shirt dresses that you can layer or wear on a warmer day. I like this trend because it is the perfect mix of femininity and menswear-inspired details. Plus, I love any throwback to the 90's since that's where all my childhood memories are. If you think this trend sounds like fun, take a look at some of my shirt dress finds below.

Swiss-Dot Shirt Dress, $19.99, shown in gold; also available in black and blue, sizes S-XXXL (black only available in M and blue only available in S), alloy.com

Acres-Of-Indigo Shirtdress, $49.95, shown in blue; also available in white, sizes S-L, anthropologie.com

Buffalo Plaid Shirt Dress, $28.99, available in sizes S and M, charlotterusse.com

Plaid Shirt Dress, $26.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Plaid Tie Dress, $28.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Plaid Tunic, $22.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Ruffle Shirt Dress, $26.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Striped Shirt Dress, $28.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Ruffle Front Shirtdress, $36.99, available in sizes M and L, mandee.com

Aimee Stripe Dress, $44.50, available in sizes XS-XL, delias.com

Alyssa Shirt Dress, $44.50, shown in dark blue; also available in natural, purple, and teal, sizes 00-13/14, delias.com

Chambray Shirtdress, $39.50, available in sizes XS-XL, delias.com

Anna Plaid Shirtdress, $44.50, shown in multi; also available in blue, sizes XS-XL, delias.com

Crystal Bias Plaid Dress, $44.50, available in sizes XS-XL, delias.com

Crystal Solid Dress, $44.50, shown in purple; also available in black and blue, sizes XS-XL, delias.com

Eileen Plaid Dress, $44.50, shown in blue; also available in black, sizes XS-XL, delias.com

Gracie Plaid Dress, $44.50, shown in white; also available in blue, grey, purple, red, teal, and yellow, sizes XS-XL, delias.com

Kirstie Plaid Dress, $44.50, shown in blue; also available in black, pink, purple, and red, sizes XS-XL, delias.com

Lexie Plaid Dress, $44.50, available in sizes XS-XL, delias.com

Marisa Plaid Dress, $44.50, available in sizes XS-Xl, delias.com

Melody Gingham Dress, $44.50, available in sizes S-L, delias.com

Mona Chambray Dress, $44.50, available in sizes XS-XL, delias.com

Voile Shirt Dress, $29.99, shown in rosedust; also available in mint green, sizes 0-12, frenchconnection.com

American Rag Shirtdress Belted Plaid Jersey, $45.00, sizes XS-L, macys.com

Apppropriate Behavior Ruffle Front Shirt Dress, $39.00, available in sizes 5/6-11/12, macys.com

Baby Phat Short-Sleeved Shirt Dress, $51.75, available in sizes M and L, macys.com

Fleurish Puffed-Sleeve Buffalo Plaid Shirtdress, $24.99, shown in purple; also available in red, sizes S-XL, macys.com

Grass Short-Sleeve Gingham Belted Shirtdress, $35.40, available in sizes 3-13, macys.com

Roxy Goodtimes Plaid Shirtdress, $32.70, available in sizes XS-XL ,macys.com

Fox Laney Dress, $44.50, available in sizes MED and LRG, pacsun.com

Lucy Love Cabana Blue Dress, $49.50, available in sizes XS-LRG, pacsun.com

Lucy Love Harper Dress, $42.50, shown in teal; also available in black, sizes XS-LRG, pacsun.com

Lucy Love Montana Dress, $49.50, shown in black; also available in taupe, sizes XS-LRG, pacsun.com

ROULETTE Twill Ruffle Cap Sleeve Shirt Dress, $39.99, available in sizes Small-Extra large, sears.com

Kimichi Blue Pintuch Shirtdress, $39.99, shown in cornrow; also available in white and obama blue, sizes x-small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Buffalo Plaid Shirt Dress, $24.50, shown in pink; also available in white, black, and aqua, sizes XS-M, wetseal.com

Buffalo Yoke Dress, $12.99, shown in fuchsia; also available in red and green, sizes XS-L, wetseal.com

Button Front Halter Dress, $19.50, available in sizes XS-XL, wetseal.com

Rail Road Stripe Tunic, $19.50, available in sizes M and L, wetseal.com

To get a grunge-inspired look, wear one of the plaid shirt dresses with either a pair of ripped jeans or cutout leggings and some sneakers. You can also pair a plaid shirt dress with some distressed jeans, cowboy boots, a braided belt, and a cowboy hat for a westen-inspied look. For a menswear-inspired look, pair one of the vertical striped shirt dresses with some tailored pants, oxford shoes, a necktie, and a fedora hat. Provide contrast with a dotted shirt dress by pairing it with some argyle tights. You can also get this contrast with a gingham shirt dress and a pair of floral print tights. For the office, wear a long or short-sleeved solid colored shirt dress with some tailored pants and stiletto shoes. For a vintage vibe, wear a ruffled or frilly shirt dress with a pair of lace tights, a bow headband, a pearl bracelet, and some ballet flats. When it gets really cold, you can layer one of the sleeveless shirt dresses over a sweater like you would with a jumper. Pair the sweater and sleeveless shirt dress with some thick tights and slouch boots. If you plan on lounging around at an indoor pool this fall, any of these shirt dresses can be used as a stylish swimsuit cover-up. For a fun fall style, wear any shirt dress with a pair of denim legggings or skinny jeans and some peep-toe booties. To look like you just rolled out of bed and threw on your boyfriend's (or fiance's or husband's) clothes, wear a plaid, vertical striped, or solid shirt dress (without any girly details) with a pair of boyfriend jeans and sneakers. You can also style your hair in a loose ponytail or messy bun to follow suit. If you get a shirt dress that isn't already cinched at the waist, you may wish to add a belt to it. If you have any of your own ideas for styling a shirt dress, let me know.