Women's Plus Size Leggings

Leggings are an inexpensive fashion accessory that can turn one look into something completely different. Instead of only having a tunic, add leggings and you have an entire outfit. Or, if you have a dress that’s too short for you to comfortably wear, the addition of leggings will bring that dress back to life in a modern way.

How to Wear Leggings

Leggings are an accessory; they are not a substitute for slacks or a skirt. Leggings are made to be part of a layered look, so underneath a long tunic, long shirt or short dress, they are a fashion do. Your top should fall to mid-thigh to ensure a stylish look.

Leggings are a casual clothing item, so comfortable, casual shoes should be worn with them. Leggings and spike heels are a look best left on the runway or in magazines. In the real world, not many women will be able to pull this off. Flats are a perfect shoe choice, whether they are ballerina flats, sneakers, canvas pull-ons or sandals.

Because leggings fit so closely to the body, your top shouldn’t be nearly as tight. While you don’t want to wear a tent, your shirt or shirt-dress should be loose and flowing. This balances your entire ensemble. Finish with a pretty pair of flat shoes and your outfit is complete.

Exercise Wear

Many leggings are sold as exercise gear, to wear alone as bottoms or under or over a leotard. The material you buy for exercise wear should be easy to care for and in a stretchy fabric such as Lycra or Spandex. The best way to care for these types of materials is to either hand wash or machine wash on the delicate cycle and air dry.

Where to Buy Women's Plus Size Leggings

Because there are many options for the curvy woman’s shopping needs, when leggings are in style, they are available from many plus size retailers, whether online, storefront or in catalogs. These are a few places you'll find the leggings you're looking for:

• Avenue
• Curvety.com
• A Big Attitude
• Roaman’s
• Hips and Curves
• Woman Within
• Catherines
• Lane Bryant
• Torrid
• OneStopPlus
• Ashley Stewart

Styles of Women's Plus Size Leggings

The majority of leggings you’ll see will be plain and one-color. If you want something with a little flair, lace trimmed leggings are pretty and feminine without being over-the-top. Still, if you’re a woman of size who doesn’t feel as confident about her legs, black is still the best color for minimizing. Plain black leggings can give you a sleeker look than leggings that are light or patterned.

When to Wear Leggings

Spring and fall are the two best seasons to sport leggings. The weather isn’t too warm or too cool for this fashion statement. They will keep your legs warm, but not overly so, and can be worn to accommodate dresses or long tops.

If you forgot or simply didn't have the time to shave your legs, leggings can also be worn as an emergency coverup.

Young and Modern

Women’s plus size leggings are best reserved for the younger set. The tight look doesn’t translate well into the 40s and beyond. A young woman sporting a frayed denim skirt with black leggings is cute and hip. The same couldn’t be said if her mother were wearing this outfit.

There are leggings that don’t fit so close to the skin that would be suitable for women of a certain age. These bootcut leggings will accommodate a slightly dressier shoe and aren’t as casual as skintight leggings. A crisp white shirt and wide belt slung low on the hips will be a classic look that allows you to fit into the leggings trend while not being a fashion victim.