Staying Fit
Remember back in the '80s when leggings jumped from aerobics class to official streetwear? The basic black cotton/spandex ones became a wardrobe staple — not just for hanging out at home but as a substitute for everyday pants, skirts or jeans. We still wear leggings and a tee at 50-plus, to run errands or spiffed up with a jacket and flats, in defiance of age stereotypes at work. But let's be realistic: Fashion, leggings and our bodies have moved on. Keep that body-confident attitude alive, but save your oldies to wear for Netflix nights on the sofa. Here are four new options.
Upgrade plain black leggings to ponte knit ones
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This dense matte fabric is more substantial and pants-y, less like tights due to the thicker stretch blend of poly/rayon/nylon and spandex. There are no see-through spots at curves where the fabric is stretched to the max, and no cotton means no fading. Styles that sit at your real waist with an "invisible" belly-control panel, such as GapFit High Rise Sculpt Ponte Leggings ($70, gap.com) and Old Navy High Rise Stevie Built-in Sculpt Pants for Women ($35, oldnavy.com), are smart everyday basics to pair with ankle booties, loafers or mules and a long, relaxed hi-low sweater that covers in front and back. The look: chic casual and sensible.
Go posh with faux-leather or -suede leggings
Because they're not made of the real thing, these leggings are machine washable and affordable (yay!). "Leather" with a little more heft and a low sheen looks authentic, so skip shiny finishes and thin, plastic-y fabrics. Look for faux suede that doesn't flake off — rub a black T-shirt over the leggings before removing the tags. Options that skim the skin are better than those that are glove-tight, so be prepared to go up a size. Rich neutrals in brown and gray — such as Spanx Faux Leather Leggings ($98, spanx.com) in bronze and Lyssé High-Waist Faux Suede Leggings ($98, zappos.com) in bourbon — worn with tops, shoes and bags in the same color family, look super classy. To glam up statement leggings, just add a silk blouse, shoulder-baring sweater or crisp white shirt, along with low kitten or block heels.
