Ode to the Stretch Pant
Do you remember the stretchy knit pants that were rampant in the 80s and early 90s?
Often floral, but really sporting any number of print or pattern, perhaps a little buffalo check or a geometric design, sometimes with stirrups, sometimes with pockets, sometimes skintight, sometimes a little more baggy. Moms wore them in solids with sweatshirts or tiger print.
I had plaid ones and rose print ones and cream stirrups. And now I want them ALL BACK!
This desire is new for me. I admit, it just miiiight be related to my growing tummy and a need for extreme comfort. I'm talking nice stretchy waistband that can be pulled ABOVE the bulge comfort. None of this low waisted, hip-hugger, sliding-off-the-hips biz. Also I'm talking nice soft cotton, kind of thick, not sheer like tights.
So the other day I caved and went leggings-shopping at Target. It was my first time in Target for probably a year, and I thought I'd be overwhelmed by an array of adorable leggings, tights, jeggings, etc. Imagine my disappointment to find they only had black and gray, and in the cropped style (I like the long ones, more like pants). Although in the little girls' section there was an array of cute printed soft little elastic-waist pants; why can't them make those for grown ups? I found some at American Apparel online but still not a lot of cute printed ones, mostly just solids. Plus, I like how the 80's ones were actually stretch pants, not just leggings. They had a little more to them. I wasn't shy to show my butt in them.
If you search "leggings" in flickr or google you come up with some pretty interesting images. I guess there is a fetish for "vpl" or visible panty lines, among other rather grotesque images of women in leggings.
yikes.
But in between, you still find the cute girly romantic ones.
The soft jersey knit rosebud prints, the turqouise and cable knit and cream and stripe.
Meanwhile I really started appreciating legging style...all the many ways they can be worn. I love their versatility, how you can wear them under skirts or with tunics or your too-short dresses or skirts. Under shorts. As pants. Whatevs. How you can wear them with knee socks and boots on cold days, or flats or huaraches on warm days.
So anyway. I did order myself a vintage pair (early 90s I think) from this adorable shop on etsy. and i'm majorly loving them; i've already worn them twice this week. even darin has noticed. i love their nice soft 80's palette of cloudy blue and earthy peach.
darin and i went for some exercise on the bike trail (i walk, he runs). I felt bright and chipper, power walking in my blues and yellows, dorkily smiling at all the passersby.
i was proud of my braid crown. cause i seriously almost never do my hair. which is a crying shame.
(sorry for the crazy sun flairs but...gotta show the bump)
and then today. i am sick with a cold and the sky turned cloudy again.
so i may look tired and worn, but the truth is, i have almost fought that cold off and i was cozy as can be in my special leggings and this little sweatshirt material gray skirt i thrifted. it even has shorts underneath.
i confess, this is a brigit inspired outfit. i love how she always pairs plaid or some flowy top with tight little stretchy skirts and leggings and wham, totally looks cute and put-together. it is a new look for me and i'm INTO it.
(sorry for that trash behind my foot, my yard is so ugggghhhh right now)
below, just to explain. that little bump-on-the-bump is not my belly button. although i am excitedly awaiting the distant day that it pops out like that. alas, that is only the drawstring i tucked inside.
and lastly, to truly do the leggings (and bump) justice...i give you...the most AWKWARD picture on earth!
clearly i haven't quite mastered the cute-baby-belly photo yet. i can't even believe i'm showing this here. just keeping it real folks. at least you can tell i'm not faking ;)
SO ANYHOO. anybody else with me? On the full-on 80's style stretch pants? Would you wear stirrups? My favorite outfit circa 1992 was a long pink cable knit sweater with these romantic toned floral stretch pants, just a little more baggy than leggings, in maroon, pink, and purple. I want that outfit back, I tell you.
And I will stalk etsy until I have it.
Comments
Your braids the other night too! I guess you werent in the kitchen when I was talking to Sara, but I was saying that the way you styled your hair is making me want to grow mine out again! Braids and buns? Straight curly up or down? Jealous!
And the bump is killing me! You are so damn cute Heather. A tiny glowing Mama! You're going to be the best.
xoxo
Lovelove.. J.
Always so effortlessly stylish, girl. You're a beautiful inspiration! I have to agree with you about long leggings. Unless the weather is very warm, I don't like to wear cropped ones. Oh, and funny coincidence: I'm actually wearing my only existing pair of riding pants (with stirrups!) right now. I've had them since I was eleven and they're perfect for working out in the cold like I was earlier. How they still fit amazes me!
The bump is a-growin'! So amazing!
xoxo
look how that babe is growing! and the awkward picture is awkward, so glad you shared it! i love keeping it real :D
leggings are a MUST when pregnant. i wore them almost every day. they're comfortable and don't suffocate you like pregnant lady jeans do. plus, just add a cute top/dress and BAM, you have a cute outfit.
almost forgot, i love your blue, layered, brigit inspired outfit!
You are too cute in your floral pair! I love how you styled them and your baby bump. It always amazes me how fast a bump forms. Does it you?
speaking of rocking, you look so dang cute in yours! i love all the different ways you're wearing them. and why is that photo awkward? all i see is a cute bump.
if you find a good source for the leggings, let me know. i will unabashedly copy you and we can be leg twins. xo
I love your new leggings with the sunny yellow converse, both outfits are adorable. You look so pretty in your braid crown too!
Stirrups- only with heels.
Heather! Are you feeling baby move yet?? I love these belly shots! The last one is amazing, like that one you posted of Adie in her sweats once :-)
Leggings really are the perfect versatile garment- they can be pants or tights! Or, um, leggings! I wear my heather grey ones pretty often.
You & Suuz are lucky in that it will be warm when you're reeeeally pregnant, then you can wear flowy dresses and skirts (at that point I could not do a waistband ABOVE my belly to save my life).
You're a dear darling and I love you and that baby!
Ok Now you have to brace yourself, and dont feel too much pity, I have accepted it by now...... But
In about 1985 my general outfit would have been ...This... a pair of red polyester flares from the 70's ( big no no in the 80's handed down from my sister, a t shirt with the name of our pub on it and a white puffy coat with ESSO written on the back in red blue and yellow. My sister had got it Free, from a modeling show she had done at a gas station: ) I remember this outfit so well, playing in school yard and just loving that coat, cause it was new, and all mine. Sweet days really, I also would have had a satin pink all in one trousers and top, with zips up the sides of the legs, very appropriate for a 12 year old; ) Hmmm I best not go on. Anyway I have so loved this post and especially that jouful mood with which it comes across. Thanks Heather. xx
I can remember living in patterned leggings as a child. Even Disney themed ones. These are lovely and you have inspired me to look for pattern leggings myself!