The Tights as Pants Debate

(*I have recently submitted this to be featured on the website stylebust.com as a guest blogger. Wish me luck that it gets put on!*)

The ‘Tights as Pants’ Debate. By Sam Whalen

Shall we define what “tights” are? We must in order to settle this issue because many people have different ideas on what the true definition of this infamous clothing article entails. By definition, tights are of clothing that cover from the waist to the ankles and can be either sheer or opaque. They are pant-like in nature yet are traditionally covered by skirts, shorts, or dresses. Traditionally they are worn under other garments but there is a trend that is sweeping the world and has sparked controversy wherever its been spotted in action…

Tights as pants. No covers, just a shirt and some tights.

Let me start off by saying that I have been wearing LEGGINGS as pants since I discovered that skinny jeans will never quite fit my body right (I am too short and my hips are too wide for the sizes that are available). The difference is that my tights (or leggings, whatever) of choice have always been opaque and thick in nature (American Apparel knows how to make them right). Typically leggings are also footless, where as tights have feet but this is not always the case. At first I was appalled at the idea of someone wearing shear tights, A.K.A pantyhose, as pants in public but through further investigation I find that when done tastefully… it really isn’t so bad. See exhibit A.

But when it is done wrong, boy is it wrong. See Exhibit B.

So should tights be worn as pants? I believe it should be judged on a case-by-case basis. I personally follow one key trick: the underwear check. If my panties are on display, then I say “no way!”. Some people are a little less inhibited than that and who is to say that they cant put the drawers out for everyone to see as long as the nether regions are covered?

But like every trend, there has been incredible backlash. Statements, blogs, and even websites have been dedicated to the ending of this trend. If you ask me, the effort put into all of this is a little too much (the energy should be redirected into banning crocs). But people are outraged and where this is outrage, there is an internet source to support it.

Leggings, tights, pants, or whatever you choose to cover your booty up with… its your business. As long as the person is comfortable, that is all that matters. I for one would rather see someone wearing tights as pants than see someone covering up calf length tights with a medium length skirt (so unflattering), but that’s just me. So to settle this debate, I say to each their own! And if you don’t like the trend then keep wearing your denim or corduroy or whatever and let it die out like every trend before it.