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.

A Run In Your Stockings

Even though it's Summer now, are you finding it difficult to give up your leggings that you were wearing during the cold Winter days? Well, you may not have to. Leggings are definitely not going anywhere as far as trends go. However, the hot July weather might make it harder to wear them right now. But there is a solution to this dilemma. It seems that the shredded denim trend has spread over to leg wear. So now you can just rip up your leggings with a cheese grater or a pair of scissors and thus will be able to wear them no matter how hot it gets. The holes in your leg wear should keep you from sweating like crazy. Also, don't throw away any of your tights that have a run in them. Just add more! If you can't stand the thought of destroying your own leggings, then don't worry about it. You can wear pre-ripped leg wear this Summer instead. Take a look at some of these styles below.

Destroyed Ankle Legging, $28.00, ardenb.com

Cutout Seamless Legging, $39.00, available in sizes Small-Large, bebe.com

Ripped Seamless Legging, $24.00, shown in graphite; also availabe in black, sizes Petite/Small and Medium/Large, bebe.com

Slashed Side Leggings, $39.00, available in sizes Medium and Large, bebe.com

Black Hand Cut Pothole Thigh Highs, $8.00, hottopic.com

Allover Rips Tears Legging, $10.49, available in sizes S-L, mandee.com

Side Rips Legging, $14.00, available in sizes S-L, mandee.com

Silence & Noise Cutout Leggings, $34.00, available in sizes X-Small-Large, urbanoutfitters.com

Silence & Noise Shredded Leggings, $28.00, shown in black; also available in deepest black, sizes available in sizes Small-Large, urbanoutfitters.com

Seamless Holes Legging, $18.50, wetseal.com

Seamless Rip Legging, $14.50, available in sizes XS/S and M/L, wetseal.com

Free People Black Ripped Cropped Leggings, $48.00, available in sizes X Small-Large, bloomingdales.com

To look like a rock star, wear these leggings with a destroyed denim miniskirt, a Rock & Roll graphic t-shirt, a rhinestone belt, some hoop earrings, and a pair of studded shoes. For a grunge-inspired look, wear your ripped leggings with a plaid shirt dress and a pair of sneakers. To add a tough edge to a feminine look, pair these leggings with a shift dress or tunic top with girly details such as ruffles or butterfly prints, some ballet flats, and a flower hair accessory. For a fun Summer look, wear your destroyed leggings with shorts, a tank top, and a pair of flip flops. I hope my fashion finds and tips will make it easier for you to wear leggings throughout the Summer. If you know of any other Winter trends that can be carried over to these hotter days, tell me about it. E-mail me at Charmed42787@gmail.com or contact me on myspace.

More Metallic Must-Haves

Last year, I wrote an article talking about how shine was everywhere. Well this year, shine is still going strong. The style of shine that has particularly caught my eye this year though, is shiny leg wear. As I was walking through various different stores at the Westfield Sunrise mall yesterday, I couldn't help but notice that metallic leggings were all over the place. When I got back home, I was inspired to go searching for more metallic leggings online . So, I thought I'd post my finds in this blog.

Latex Disco Dot Legging, $38.00, available in sizes S and M, ardenb.com

Side Zip Latex Legging, $38.00, shown in pewter; also available in black, sizes XS-L, ardenb.com

Liquid Leggings, $14.99, shown in silver; also available in black, sizes SM-LG (silver not available in SM), bakersshoes.com

Sexy 24" Legging, $34.00, available in sizes Small and Medium, bebe.com

Wet Look 27" Legging, $34.00, available in sizes X-Small-Medium, bebe.com

Aqua Women's Latex Liquid Leggings, $42,00, available in sizes small and medium, bloomingdales.com

Aqua Women's Liquid Latex Leggings with Zipper, $42.00, available in sizes Small-Large, bloomingdales.com

Glossy Open Heel & Toe Leggings, $15.80, sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Metallic Knit Leggings, $9.99, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Metallic Leopard Leggings, $10.80, available in sizes X-Small and Small, forever21.com

Metallic Shine Knit Leggings, $13.80, forever21.com

Stirrup Gloss Leggings, $17.80, avilable in sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Stirrup Leggings, $13.80, available in sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Zip Ankle High Shine Leggings, $17.80, available in sizes Small and Medium, forever21.com

Gathered Ankle Glitter Legging, $17.80, available in sizes Small and Medium, forever21.com

High Shine Leggings, $13.80, shown in gold; also available in black, sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

High Waist Glossy Leggings, $22.80, available in sizes X-Small-Medium, forever21.com

Open Heel & Toe Metallic Leggings, $15.80, available in sizes X-Small-Medium, forever21.com

Shirred Glossy Leggings, $15.80, available in sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Black Lame Leggings, $16.99, available in sizes SM-LG, hottopic.com

ING Faux Leather Leggings, $28.00, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

Liquid Metallic Full Foot Tights, $14.00, shown in silver; also available in gold and black, sizes small/medium and medium/large, urbanoutfitters.com

Silence & Noise Super Shiny Leggings, $38.00, shown in gold; also available in black, sizes xsmall-large, urbanoutfitters.com

These glossy leggings would be a perfect way to spice up the classic "Little Black Dress". They would also look great under a tunic top. You can even wear them under an over-sized t-shirt or boyfriend cardigan to add a feminine touch to a menswear-inspired look. If you see any other metallics that I haven't featured yet, let me know. Also tell me if there are any other leg wear trends that you would like me to write about. E-mail me at Charmed42787@gmail.com or send me a message on myspace. Keep shining!