The Style Report: Your Best Friend

The Legging

Every so often, in fashion, we get a new trend that’s fun, flirty and funky. We embrace it and add it into our wardrobe until it runs its course. Then we must bid our trend a fond farewell and tuck it away till a recycling rainy day. Well, I am sure those were our exact thoughts when the fashion industry re-introduced us to the legging back in 2008. Actually, it was the inexpensive bagging at the knees, cotton leggings that came on the block in the 80's. Everyone had a version of them but we had no knowledge of how to make them look fashionable. So those did go bye-bye! But thanks to the technology of lycra fabric, they are now perfect to wear!

News Flash: as we approach 2012, the legging is still pretty much every woman's “don't know what to wear day!” best friend but for those of you who are still legging challenged let me shed some light! Let's start with the simple black cotton lycra legging that all of you own by the dozens. BORING! Get with the program, ladies these delicious warm babies come in every type of color, fabric and style and much to my delight, I can safely say that I have the collection covered.

Here's the drill: my black legging selection, which hangs neatly in my closet, consists of pull on cashmeres, riding style ala suede patches on the inside of the legs, gabardine with lycra which has gold zippers adorning the hip pockets, cotton lycra stretch pull on, which also have zippers going up the backs of the legs... how cool are those... yum, my black jeggings which are leggings that have a jean design and the list goes on. Just so you get a better sense of what I think a closet should look like... next to my black collection goes the grays of many shades, onto the taupes, browns and then come my smattering of colors.

My analogy is quite simple: leggings are to winter like whipped cream is to hot cocoa... they simply go together! So now I would be very happy if you would take the notion of "don't know what to wear so it must be a legging day" out of you head and let's talk fashion.

THE MANY LOOKS

My black cashmere leggings, grey cashmere turtleneck, black shawl collar long sweater topped with my Concho belt, which is a silver and turquoise western type belt that makes a major statement to the outfit and black riding boots with buckles; of course and I am off lunch in Sedona.

The taupe riding legging, brown sweater and brown velvet riding jacket accompanied with my taupe boots. No, they are not an urban myth and they can be found in all of your fav stores right now as they are so neutral.

How about taking your charcoal gray legging pants with adorning zippers on the hips and pairing them with a black suede boot, heather gray long cable sweater and the black capes that are the season's rage and off to the city you go!

I know you are thinking why doesn't she mix black leggings with let's say a purple sweater? Well I do, if it is a deep rich shade of purple, which also has been a big color since a couple of years ago. I team it with a huge black studded croc belt and short black biker boots.

My belief is simple: if you want a polished look; stay in the same color tones as it gives you an elongated and more slenderizing appearance. Hey, you are talking to a 5'3'' girl here! My recommendation for those of you who where not blessed with the perfect height or weight is to go monochromatic.

Because of the many styles, colors, and wonderful textures, you can wear your leggings in so many ways and be the fashionest fashionista on the block and you get to stay warm as well. Now I call that a major bonus point!

Where to find your myriad of legging looks? Just follow me to Saks, BCBG, WishList or Zara in Greenwich. The fun part here is that any store you walk into will present you with a different version of the legging. Let your imagination get to work and start your own collection today!

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Lynn Cesaria is a fashion maven, image consultant and personal shopper. Known for her no-nonsense attitude, her unerring eye and her Fashion 911 house calls to her clientele. Lynn has also owned and operated LRC Photography for over 20 years. She is based in Fairfield County but available to transform people worldwide!

For more information contact:
Lynn Cesaria
LRC Image & Styling
Personal Shopping

LynnCesariaStyling.com
Lynn@lynncesaria.com

Photograph by LRC Photography