Hello Glam Gals!I purchased a pair of black fringed leggings because “they looked cute” (they, fit me too…) BUT I have no clue what style of top or footwear to wear with these! HELP!
Thanks, Colleen
Hi Colleen,
Here is a typical “temptation” many of us fashionista types fall into:
- You want to be open to try new trends
- You try to buy ”creative items” to add to your wardrobe.
- When you see something that has “the cute” factor you grab it with out thinking through what you are going to wear with it.
We can pretty much bet that you justified your purchase because it was a dark color and you thought for sure you would have something to go with it at home…right???
While you probably have seen a lot of fringe in the fashion magazines, you want to be careful about how you add it to your wardrobe when you are over 40. These pants at first glance look almost like a cowboy costume. Even if you were to pair them with a simple top and boots, we are afraid you will still end up looking like a wanna be cowhand!
On a mature gal, these pants would only work if the woman had a really strong fashion personality and she was going somewhere where like a nightclub or rock concert. You could make it look “rock and roll” with an oversized leather coat , simple silk shell and thick strappy, platform shoes. Even then…
Fringe tends to look very junior and so if you like the bohemian look of fringe we suggest you try just a “touch of it, in a purse or scarf! You would never want more than one piece of fringe at a time (just like the one animal rule…)!
We are all for having some fun with your wardrobe, but these pants are just over the top in our opinion! Here are some ideas to add this trend in to your wardrobe in smaller doses.
| Say it with a scarf! This fringe scarf would be a perfect pick me up to any casual outfit (Nordstrom) |  |
| Tie it up with this fringe necklace! Updating your casual jewelry with this type of fringe necklace would work! (Nordstrom) |  |
| Works for us! The way the fringe is angled on this wonderful handbag gives it a new twist! This would be a keeper! (Nordstrom) |  |
| Too young! You will be seeing different versions of this type of sandal, all over for Spring, but we say just say NO! Think about it, if your daughter would wear them, you should not! (Nordstrom) |  |
Ladies, would you wear these fringe leggings? If so how? Please leave your comment below:
Style Expert Deborah Boland specializes in helping mature women to Tweak their Chic®!
Well, I own a similar pair of black fringe leggings except the fringes are a tad bit longer. I am 20 years old and my style is very bold and I like wearing daring pieces. I have worn them for everyday and a night out. For day, I have worn them with combat boots and a very long oversized cardigan to play them down. At night, I’ve worn them with black suede wedge booties and a hi-low top with gold or silver studded accessories keeping to a more edgy or rocker theme. My mom is over 40 and I’d laugh if I tried to see her pull any kind of leggings off lol.
How do you feel about a top with fringe like this one.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ella-moss-carland-fringe-trim-lace-top/3252454?origin=keywordsearch&resultback=0
Nope. Not unless my name was Sheryl Crow and I was about to go on stage to perform, “If it makes you happy”…
You should have fun wearing the finge leggings while doing housework, but don’t go outside of the house.
I think the fringed scarf is a great idea.
Wanda,
What is it with those kitten heels, I like them in theory but I feel so darn uncomfortable in them I could never wear them. I too think the pants need to go on ebay – sorry. No matter what I weigh my legs (even at a 0) are disproportionately much larger than the rest of me so I envy you the leggings – you go for it.
Congrats on the weight loss.
Wanda, Good for you on loosing the weight! You have a new body to dress and so enjoy! Leggings are a wonderful and comfortable way of dressing…long as you have a top/jacket that goes over the hips. Sounds like you go the look going on! Enjoy!
Congrats on the new look Wanda!
I have a pashmina with a fringe on the ends, which I love. And I like a bit of fringe on a soft, slouchy handbag. But I would not be caught dead in those leggings. They look like heck on the girl in the photo, so they are not going to look any better on my curvier, shorter, older body, guaranteed.
That said, having recently lost nearly 50 lbs, I did buy a pair of black leggings. Fleecelined ones, mind you, partly becuse of the frigid temps here in northern Alberta and partly because I felt it would help guard against any kind of ‘show through’. I wore them on Saturday with a wool, cowl neck sweater/tunic. I wore black shoes with a very low block heel. This is my version of a flat as true flats look terrible on me, and I absolutely hate kitten heels.
At any rate, I had to go to the tailor to get a suit jacket altered on Saturday. I went into the shop and discovered that the jacket would not fit over the tunic. I was wearing a sleeveless silk undershirt under the tunic, so I pulled off the tunic and put the jacket on over the undershirt. The jacket comes down over my hips and bottom, and as I stood there in the shop, I looked in the 3-way mirror and thought, “I don’t look too bad for someone pushing 60.” Thanks for giving me the courage to wear leggings. I got lots of compliments on the look – with the tunic, not with the suit jacket. :)
Hi Susan, you are right about that.. but she did say the pants fit and so they did look like a small size. It would not be an everyday look for sure!
Dear God no!!! That fringe would make my thighs look twice their size, which would not be a good thing!
I agree with you guys that only a hard core fashion maven with a killer body could pull that look off and unless Colleen is that (and if so she would know exactly what to pair them with) she should just chalk this up to a boo boo and give them away!
She didn’t mention how far over 40 she might be, or her body type (tall, petite,curvy, slender, etc), but if she were tall and thin and not too much over 40, I would think she could wear these out in the evening with maybe a black or jewel toned silk shell, or tastefully beaded tank (something simple and low key), a jacket and maybe some black heels/platform sandals? I don’t think I would try wearing it in my area (Midwest), but in a more urban setting she might be ok.