Tights Are Not Pants (and Other SoCal Fashion Trends)

March 28, 2009 3:00 pm     Posted in HaHa, Style  Michelle - The Claremont Colleges g+ page

sienna-miller-scarf.jpgOk. I admit it. I liked a few of the fashion changes that happened when I moved from the frozen tundra of NYC to the warmer Southern California climate. Gone are the turtlenecks and heavy jackets (have you ever tried to look sexy while resembling a marshmallow). They are replaced by slinky tops and leather jackets.


By Michelle

Heck, I can even dig the change from heels to flip-flops and gladiator sandals. It’s so much easier to walk back to your room at four in the morning when you don’t have to worry about stepping on broken glass. However, there are a few fashion statements that I can never understand.

1. Wearing scarves when the weather drops below 70. I’m from NYC, so I thought I understood scarves. You wear them when it’s ten below zero to keep you face from freezing off. Or, on the off chance that you forget your concealer and turtleneck at home, you wear it to your Monday morning class to cover up the massive bruise on your neck. But nothing in the world will convince me that the thin piece of fabric wrapped three times around your throat is doing anything to keep you warm. Especially when all you’re wearing with it is a miniskirt and Uggs. This brings me to my next fashion complaint.

2. Uggs. Has anyone ever actually looked at these monstrosities? Everyone constantly complains about the loser who wear Crocs, but no one says a word about these bad boys. And I hate to break it to you, but they do not make your feet look cute. In fact, they are down-right hideous. I realize that they’re comfy. Flips-flops serve the same function. I understand that they’re warm. Wear comfy sneakers and toe socks, or even fur lined boots. Only please, could you wear shoes that don’t resemble a cross between something out of a Tolstoy novel and a six years old drawing? Uggs. Ugly. See the resemblance. Please don’t wear the shoes.

3. Tights (and leggings) as pants. I’m not sure who started the trend, but suddenly tights stopped being the geeky thing your mom told you to wear to your fourth grade Valentine’s Day party and started becoming a fashion staple. And I couldn’t be happier. I could wear dresses in the winter in NYC and not resemble an icicle. However, I have never once considered them as a substitute to pants. Why didn’t anyone else get this memo? I’m sure you’ve seen this before -  you’re in line at your cafeteria and you hear something crash. You turn towards the sound and you see a girl bending down to pick up her tray and you can see every curve of her ass through those tights.

Believe me – it’s not flattering. In fact, it’s like watching a train wreck. You know it’s going to scar you for life, but you just can’t look away. Why are girls doing this? We spend years trying to find those perfect jeans that minimize our butts while making our legs look longer. Then, in one fell swoop, you destroy any illusion that your thighs were naturally that skinny. Tights as pants do not look good on anyone, regardless of your size. They maximize every calorie and show off the body parts that you’re squeamish about showing in bed. So here’s a new rule: if you would never wear a top without the tights, please don’t wear it with them.

34 Comments on "Tights Are Not Pants (and Other SoCal Fashion Trends)"

  1. Vivian - Undecided says:
    Sat, 28th Mar 200910:14 am 

    Great article but I wonder exactly how long ago you moved from the big apple to SoCal because ALL of these trends have made it to the city. LOL

  2. Kat says:
    Sat, 28th Mar 200910:14 am 

    I agree 100%!

  3. Sheila says:
    Sat, 28th Mar 200911:28 am 

    I think wearing leggings/tights as pants is fine as long as your shirt covers your butt and crotch. Then you're good.

  4. Kelly says:
    Sat, 28th Mar 200911:32 am 

    I know they aren't the best looking but I love my Uggs. When I have to walk to class in over a foot of snow for three months straight…they save my life.

  5. Kayla says:
    Sat, 28th Mar 20092:05 pm 

    See… I ALSO live in a cold place, where there is also about a foot of snow for three months of the year… and I still DON'T get uggs. They really are hideous. And NOT made for wearing in wet conditions. They just get ruined. There are cuter warm boots. Promise.

  6. Leigh says:
    Sat, 28th Mar 20093:17 pm 

    In response to what Kelly says, I personally find it hard to believe that they are waterproof and thus are warm and dry in the snow…there just doesn't seem to be anything waterproof about them. Obviously I don't own any, but the excuse that people always try to use for why they wear uggs is the snow thing…and I just don't buy it!

  7. Allie says:
    Sat, 28th Mar 20093:17 pm 

    I don't care what anyone says I'm wearing my uggs and my leggings AT THE SAME TIME. It's comfy. A friday morning hang over + my 8:00 a.m. class = Leggings and Uggs. I'm comfy and if you dont like it, don't look/say anything. And if you do you're getting last night's sangria all over you.

  8. x says:
    Sat, 28th Mar 20095:08 pm 

    "Everyone constantly complains about the loser who wear Crocs, but no one says a word about these bad boys."

    What? People complain about Uggs all. the. time.

    But I totally agree with you about tights as pants. IDGI.

  9. maddie says:
    Sat, 28th Mar 20095:59 pm 

    i'm with sheila! tights as pants are fine as long as i can't see your ass! in which case the tights would not be functioning as pants because you are probably wearing something closely resembling a dress!

  10. Elizabeth (T.I.&#039 says:
    Sat, 28th Mar 20096:30 pm 

    omg! i go on and on about these things on a daily basis! especially uggs w/ a miniskirt b/c i thought boots were for cold weather and snow and then there's the tights with shorts or miniskirts when its 23 degrees outside as if that's doing anything for the warmth of your legs. but i mean whatever, as long as no one is telling me to do it, it's all good.

  11. Elizabeth (T.I.&#039 says:
    Sat, 28th Mar 20096:31 pm 

    also, lmfao at the hearing something crash thing

  12. liz says:
    Sat, 28th Mar 20097:00 pm 

    Am from Socal and honestly we wear that because we can.(or at least i can)If you wear a shirt long enough to cover your ass there perfectly fine.

  13. Khontt says:
    Sat, 28th Mar 20098:58 pm 

    This post is lifted almost directly from an old post on http://gobackandchange.com/

    I'm surprised this blog didn't steal the photo used over there too!

  14. Alma says:
    Sun, 29th Mar 20098:53 am 

    Umm ok I don't thing so. I was raised in southern California. We have a style and I'm sure NYC has its own style. I am very comfortable wearing my UGGS with an Abercrombie mini a tank top and a cute light scarf. Just because you aren't use to our style does not mean you can criticize it. We do not live in the freezing cold (thank god) so cold for us here is very different than cold for you. Tights…I would say depends on what your wearing.

  15. Jenna says:
    Sun, 29th Mar 20094:41 pm 

    I feel like these things are nation-wide now, rather than just SoCal things. I see them all the time at my college in Ohio, and what you say about them is 100% true. There's a sorority where, I swear, the dress code must say "you must always wear tights with shirts no longer than your belly button." I don't want to see your camel toes!

    A few other trends I don't get are maxi dresses, rompers, and people who say "umm ok I don’t think so."

  16. jen says:
    Sun, 29th Mar 20095:16 pm 

    haha allie i completely agree

  17. Bec says:
    Sun, 29th Mar 20096:50 pm 

    I live in a cold climate and love my uggs, they are warm, comfortable and keep my feet dry (they really do) but once the weather warms up they go in a closet for sure! However 'Tights as pants do not look good on anyone, regardless of your size'… untrue, some people do have rocking bodies that can pull this off, most people can't but some definitely can. If you can't just wear a longer shirt if you want to rock the tights/leggings look.

  18. Teresa says:
    Sun, 29th Mar 20097:56 pm 

    So true! Especially about the tights, I am from SoFl its 80 degrees out and girls here wear mini skirts, with uggs and scarves!

  19. Jessica says:
    Sun, 29th Mar 200911:24 pm 

    Thank GOD someone is finally agreeing with me on this. Yeah I live in Canada, by lake Ontario, it gets bloody COLD here in the winter and blisteringly hot in the summer but despite our clear seasonal lines the fashion remains the same. Leggings/tights as pants and those god for saken uggs. If I never see another pair of uggs again it will be too soon. I live in the cold. I get that it's cold I really really do. But honest to god there a nicer, cheaper and better equipped boots that will keep your feet just as warm without making you look like you robbed an eskimo, and a moronic one at that.

    As for leggings/tights, again, do. not. want. Pants – look into them. They don't make you look like a beached whale. I do not need to see your ass crack. I just don't. If you're wearing them under a dress or a long shirt that covers the butt and the crotch – fine. I can deal. But I beg, plead, grovel on my knees for a freeing of the camel toe trend.

  20. allie says:
    Mon, 30th Mar 200910:39 am 

    Okay, I live in Atlanta. Atlanta, as in Georgia. As in, winter is NOT THAT COLD. Uggs are NEVER necessary. The end.

  21. Shaaista says:
    Tue, 31st Mar 200912:10 pm 

    Well, I have a ghetto booty and I love wearing leggings, why do girls want to minimize their butts.

  22. Lindsey says:
    Wed, 1st Apr 20098:50 am 

    haha this article is wicked funny… and true. and i love jenna's comment. (i dont get those trends either)

    I HATE uggs with miniskirts – you just look confused. And, I go to school in VT and what's even more ridiculous is when people pretend its warm out (people in VT always jump the gun on this one… Its March/April and its 40* out -which seems warm after the 2* avg winter season… but..) and are wearing the miniskirts and uggs… like, you're obviously freezing – go home.

    and its really bad when youre walking behind someone on the stairs and they are wearing leggings/tights with a not quite long enough shirt… its like, all layed out for ya.

    anyways… uggs are ugly, tights and exposure are bogus.

  23. Meredith says:
    Wed, 1st Apr 20091:07 pm 

    I totally agree with the leggings as pants thing! I've seen a few people around campus with that look, and although they've all had pretty nice figures, I still don't like the look. You'd think it would be cold! Bleh.

  24. molly says:
    Wed, 1st Apr 20096:37 pm 

    I live in Montana, and it snows 2 feet at a time roughly every day on my campus. (It seems). I have to say, although I don't have uggs, I have uggs-esque type boots. Not only are they NOT a fashion trend, they are necessary. BUT I certainly don't wear them past March.

    I sprayed with that waterproofing stuff when I got them, and I wear them too keep my tootsies warm, but also to keep the bottoms of my jeans from getting absolutely soaked, which leads to water wiccing up your legs throughout the day. Not fun. I would rather dress for warmth and sensability than fashion any day!

  25. sara says:
    Fri, 3rd Apr 200910:59 am 

    I so agree with all of this. Tights or leggings as pants are just UGLY… EWWWWW.

    And Uggs… ok I'm from Chicago and go to school in Florida so I see both sides of this TERRIBLE trend…. in the cold, there are much CUTER, CHEAPER, and FUNCTIONAL (aka waterproof and warm) boots out there… and in FL they look ridiculous with bare legs a mini skirt and a tank top. Seriously Uggs just need to go away.

  26. G says:
    Sat, 4th Apr 20098:57 am 

    Uggs<<always been fuggly. In austrila they were actually consider a joke and not a fashion staple. Its also bad for your feet since the sole is not supportive. Hence the name "Ugg"

    Leggings as pansts= in

    Not bad if you arent too big for them. As long as there is no camel toe or wedgies it cool.

    "We spend years trying to find those perfect jeans that minimize our butts while making our legs look longer"

    Really? Not me, I embrace curves. If anything you want to look trim, lean, and curvy. There something more womenly and becoming about this body type.

  27. Skylar says:
    Fri, 19th Jun 20097:53 am 

    1. Scarves in the summer- OK. Nothing wrong with scarves in the summer as long as they aren't really thick material. They're cute and really add to a look. And they don't really make you any hotter unless they're made out of something really thick and wooly… then they're just ugly. But square scarves are really versatile and can be used as a boho-style bag, a top, a headband, or a simple neckscarf to add to an outfit.

    2. I own a pair of uggs. I agree that the original ones are REALLY ugly and I would never own a pair; however, mine are crochet and they don't even look like uggs. They're REALLY cute. And they're not bad with a miniskirt because they aren't super thick. Definitely not good to wear in the snow though. My feet don't get wet, but they don't really keep my feet all that warm.

    3. As far as leggings as pants go… I was never a huge fan. I tried it once with a dress I had and it was really uncomfortable and finding shoes to look right with this trend was a hassle. But there are some people who can pull it off. They have to have a good body and I agree that the top needs to come down far enough to cover any private areas… and that includes when sitting and bending over.

  28. Laura says:
    Tue, 17th Nov 200911:13 am 

    Uggs are so comfortable, I bought my first pair and wear them every day since it got cold here (Oregon). I have never been one to care what other people think, I just want to be comfortable. I don't even own a pair of heels and never, ever will. Also, I bought a pair of tights and a sweater-dress to wear with them, and have gotten nothing but compliments. HA!

  29. Sage says:
    Fri, 25th Dec 20099:29 pm 

    This is freedom of speech.

    I practically agree with the article..

    I think uggs are hideous and I'd never wear them.

    But some people wear them because it makes them feel comfortable.

    I wont judge their sense of style for that. I actually feel sympathetic for them.

    Scarves… okay.. let them wear what they want. I'm minding my own business. Its their sense of style.

    Leggings and Tights

    I love them since they cover my legs skin imperfections.. and still I can wear skirts and dresses..

    with jeans I cant wear skirts and certain dresses.

    but I'd never replace jeans… they're CLASSIC.

    I know… they don't always look good on people.

    but if thats what they want to wear.

    thats what they'll wear.

    there's nothing wrong with wearing what you like :]

    and the person who wrote this article deserves freedom of speech too.

    Some people just like to judge other people.

    while some just let them be,

  30. Nikki says:
    Mon, 28th Dec 20097:44 am 

    I always hated how Uggs looked.
    That's why I wish I had never tried a pair on LOL
    I bought boots that look like uggs from soft moc, and they were quite cheaper in price… But just as well made, and just as comfortable..
    With these fashion trends, in order to not look stupid they just need to be worn properly. It's a given to not flaunt camle-toe. It's a given to not wear a winter scarf in the summer. But tights with long skirts, or light scarves in the summer are fine!
    As for this ugg trend… Daily, every third person I see downtown (in Toronto) has a pair. Or a pair that looks like uggs. Whether you like it or not, that style has become something that a lot of people like. I felt the same way about skinny jeans (really… Men in skinny jeans!????? Ew!!!!) but regardless, it's "in".
    But who really cares, as long as someone is comfortable in the clothes they're buying for themselves…. If you don't like someone's outfit, buy them a new one. Or don't look at them. Better yet, accept the fact that not everyone will share your sense of style and that's what makes style so fun. Jus because a handful of people don't like something doesn't mean it's ugly, it's just a matter of opinion.

  31. Ashley says:
    Mon, 17th May 20108:25 pm 

    I agree ONE THOUSAND JILLION PERCENT that tights are not pants. I don't want to walk down the street and see some girls camel toe.. and you may not be able to see your ass through them but once you bend over EVERYTHING can be seen. It's disgusting. Either wear a dress, a skirt, maybe some shorts or something.. or you could just put on some damn pants.. just an idea.

  32. Cat says:
    Mon, 25th Feb 201310:07 pm 

    I'm sorry that most of you don't like the look of leggings. But, I have always been very thin and have had trouble finding jeans that fit comfortably. It's extremely cold in the Midwest winters; boots are a must. But wearing them with pants causes the inevitable soaking up of the snow—-> water.
    I wear 2 to 3 pairs of leggings, layered. They just look like 1 very thick pair but it is a very clean, long and lean look WITHOUT camel toe. They work with boots and I look good in them. Seriously!

  33. Tara says:
    Sat, 20th Apr 20135:50 pm 

    Honestly, I do not understand this tights-as-pants bullshit. First of all, if they’re not pants then what the hell are they? Underwear? Of course not. They’re classified as pants just like any other type of clothing that has two separate leg coverings. Shorts are pants. Do you know why they call them shorts? Because they’re “short pants.” Kulats are pants. Capris are pants. Pajama pants are pants. When you try to say tights aren’t pants or you hate how women use tights “as” pants, you just sound ignorant.

    Tights and leggings are just another form of pants and why not — they have skin-tight jeans — what’s the big hullaballoo about having a stretchable version of that? Granted a lot of times they look gross on people who shouldn’t wear them but the same exact thing can be said for any damn article of clothing no? But If a woman’s wearing tights, I respect her more than the ones trying to hide what they have. It takes guts or contentment in your own skin to wear what won’t cover up your flaws. That you even wantto minimize your butt is sad — and implies that you are one of many whose minds are slave to the fashion industry, pictures of “perfect women” in magazines and most especially men’s desires for aesthetics in women.

    It’s easy to criticize those who are comfortable, confident or don’t give a damn… just remember it’s the ones who care so much about their appearance that they don’t want to be criticized that are doing it. Those are the ones that look least beautiful to me.

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