Spandex Wonders

When leggings came back in fashion about 5 years ago there was debate about the garment.  Some called it a sausage casing for the body, others a remnant of the '80s not to be revisited.  Still, others embraced leggings for their versatility.  Kat Von D has worn just about every type of legging in every way imaginable.  The variety of weight, patterns, and colors can be worn with dresses, skirts, and other any other asymetrical, tattered, or patchworked fashion invention.  Now, much of the world is wearing leggings, and I'm no exception.  Thanks to cotton options I haven't worn pants in three years.

 

I support the sense of freedom leggings have brought to my ensembles.  It is because of them that I can wear short skirts and flowing tunics without feeling exposed or claustraphobic.  My wardrobe has now been altered to a nearly year long state of staples, all because of the warmth, coverage, and breathability of the legging. 

 

 

 

 *photos from tumblr

Galaxies Fall Down Like Sheets

I'm not really the science type.  Of course I respect science and people who can decode and understand it's intricacies.  Remembering molecular structures just is not my forte.  I used to think that outer space was not my kind of place either--mysterious happenings, light speed, and no oxygen.  Yikes!  But, in a college science class I found myself wanting to rip the pages out of my text book (I didn't.  Selling it was a better idea.)  The exploding galaxies, cloudy stardust, and the prism of colours enchanted me.  Clearly, all this has enchanged Shabd Simon Alexander as well. 

Simon-Alexander is the designer behind Shabd is My Name.  She uses tie dye techniques to replicate exploding stars, dwarf galaxies, and stardust in patterns that Ziggy would have definitely worn on stage.  She even names them after galactic structures, Aurora, Nebula.  Shabd, let's hang out.

Check out her secret on Matha Stewart.

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/tie-dyed-leggings#ooid=ZwaXAwMjqS2VTVHRLNwwTPtfSx0zHfA6

The result:

*photos courtesy of NASA

Legs

Etsy is a place for adventrue.  For me, anyway.  I often type in something random, like "fairy" or "turquoise" just to see what I'll find.  Lately, I've been more specific.  My current Etsy oggling addiction is leggings. 

I used to be afraid of leggings.  The word leggings brings to mind neon colour schemes, stiff crimped hair, and TMI.  But upon asking for purple stockings one Christmas, I instead recieved purple leggings.  They're durable, yet decidely unpant-like form left me bewildered.  Over the years I have professed my love for jeans, and mere admiration for dresses.  But now leggings have become that important part of my wardrobe: an every day staple.  And the dresses are getting much more wear.

Leggings seemed to be only for the lean legged and statuesque, like Queen Michelle who wears them so well.  Through some styling trial and error I've found the perfect look for a petite, yet not boyish one like myself.

I have black, grey, camo, the red + white star spangled pair from H&M and even tie dye American Apparel pairs.  I prefere mine soft, yet thick enough to be worn with tunics and mini skirts.  Giant long band t-shirts with low slung belts work well, and fit my every day look.

Leggings' most appealing feature is one fashion no-no: comfort.  They are SO comfortable.  I can walk my dog, ride my bike, test the velocity of a stream, or go out for the night (or do all of those things in one day).  The best part, especially for the stressed, collegiate portion of the population, is that when styled simply but well they are comfortable.  No need for sweat pants.  No one will know that your actually schlepping it.

leggings and photos by xannabotx on ETSY