When it comes to leggings vs jeggings people seem to take rather strict stances. It’s as if those two clothing items are mutually exclusive or shouldn’t be mixed. If you wear leggings then you have no place in the jeggings sorority. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, you can safely add those comfortable pants to your wardrobe without feeling worried about breaking any sartorial etiquette.
Feeling comfortable while looking stylish and chic is the very essence of the jeggings and leggings concept. In that way, they’re not very much different from other items of clothing and accessories from hats and scarfs to exquisite graduation leis. They bring out the best of you and make a special occasion even more memorable. So how to pull off the right look with both leggings and jeggings? And most importantly, what are the key differences between them?
Leggings vs Jeggings
When it comes to the long history and an established fanbase, leggings score big points. They first appeared around the time the gym craze has started. Miss Jane Fonda sported many of those tight-fitting stretch pants in her exercise videos back in the day. And they haven’t lost popularity ever since. Women and girls everywhere were seen wearing leggings even outside of the fitness centers. Walking tall and confident, they displayed boldness and ease that fewer other pants could muster.
Cotton jersey is the reason behind that level of comfort that endeared leggings to women from all walks of life. They appeared on the hiking trail, the ski slope, as well as the treadmill. But they soon appeared on the street on women having brunch and just going about their daily life. Whether printed or solid colored, leggings were all the rage. One thing became obvious, leggings have formed a bond that would be hard to break any time in the near future.
Jeggings on the other hand are the new kids on the block. They have one job and one job only: to look like denim while remaining comfortable and soft against the skin. To achieve that, jeggings are often made of spandex or knitted polyester. Their limited purpose also limits the designs and colors they come in. For the most part, jeggings try to deceptively look like a pair of jeans. Although they might be a little rougher than leggings, they still allow you a full range of movements. Unlike a pair of denim jeans, jeggings will let you jump in the air and break into a run on short notice.
But it’s the appearance rather than the feel that sets those two seemingly similar stretch pants. If you like skinny jeans but don’t like the constraining feeling, then jeggings are made just for you. They look classy and you can wear them anywhere you’d go in a pair of denim jeans. But leggings come in a wide variety of colors and prints making them ideal for more settings and occasions. Leggings are also easier to match with other items of clothing and accessories. That’s more than can be said about jeggings.
How to Style with Leggings and Jeggings
The true beauty of both leggings and jeggings is that you can get away with wearing them for most occasions that don’t involve work or business. Wear them on a night out, a get-together with friends, a family reunion, a casual brunch, or a spontaneous getaway for the weekend. They fit right at home in urban settings, mountains, and forests, or on the beach. And when leggings look too casual for the occasion, jeggings step in and add a touch of class and formality to your look.
When shopping for leggings, make sure they have a stretch to them. That’s the secret to the comfort and longevity of these amazing pieces. Leggings made of cotton jersey are the most comfortable of all leggings. As for colors, you can stick to the classic black which you can pair with any top of any color or fabric. On summer days, teal leggings are bright enough without being too loud or showy. In between, gray and brown leggings are neutral enough colors to make it easier to match them with tops of different colors.
Jeggings have limited color options but they’re dressier. And since you can pass them for denim jeans, they’re easy to pair with any tunic top that goes with skinny jeans without raising eyebrows. When in a hurry and don’t have time to select a good outfit, grab a pair of dark jeggings and put on any other color you have in your wardrobe. Jeggings don’t give you a hard time with washing and maintenance the way denim jeans do. You won’t have to iron them either since they don’t wrinkle.
Both leggings and jeggings are versatile and comfortable pants that stretch and hug your body with ease. You don’t really have to choose between either one of them. You can easily add them to your wardrobe and use them on different occasions. Leggings are either printed or come in solid colors making them more suitable for a wider range of settings than jeggings. You can also match black leggings with any top of any color or fabric in your wardrobe without breaking the dress code. As for jeggings, since they easily pass for skinny jeans, they tend to be dressier than the ubiquitous leggings.