The Brutal Honest Truth about Leggings

I usually always mean well. I do. Unfortunately, it is not always made easy for me. I peruse a sorority-filled department store, such as Nordstrom or Bloomingdale's and cannot help but gag at the mere thought of young, helplessly confused women shopping for the hottest 'it' items. Between a rack of the latest collection by UGLY and a shelf with neatly folded CLICHÉ, I find girls aimlessly buying what their friends, sisters, cousins, etc. rave about.

I have no room to laugh at these people who cannot think for themselves. I can, however, offer everyone a piece of my mind. The limited choices we are all given that enable us to look like everyone else in this world are brought about by those who actually know fashion, have taste and retain class. By this, I mean the few that contrive unique and eye-pleasing ensembles are imitated by the many that simply don't know how to dress themselves. When the 80's made a comeback, we immediately embraced the fun, the gaudy and fantasic memorabilia that our parents, older siblings or even thrift shops had, perhaps boxed and hidden in the depths of their closets and storage units. Besides the bright acrylic brightly-colored costume jewelry, Nike or Reebok high-tops and rhinestone-studded jean jackets, we knew leggings were an inevitable fashion choice. But, have we come this far to, not only mock our older generations poor taste in tacky clothing, but truly incorporate these fashion choices into our youth? I cannot walk a mile anywhere these days without seeing some pre-pubescent girl in a denim mini-skirt and black leggings.

Not to say that leggings are necessarily a poor fashion choice. We have witnessed on many accounts the fantastic nature to which leggings have produced a great outfit. When leggings (or any other item for that matter) becomes such a staple that you could literally see anyone wearing it from Seattle to South Beach, one has to wonder if they prefer to fit a certain mold that not only screams for attention but a desperate cry for help. Thinking outside the mold is always pertinent to any outstanding fashion choice.

Lets keep the rules simple. Leggings: Think unique and stylish. Too loud screams 80's revival hell, while black with a denim skirt screams Macy's clearance bin. Opt for a unique combination of leggings with a chic tunic. Maybe even leggings with a sweater dress and a belt. Keep it original. I cannot stress it enough. Someone who looks like a catalogue model should rethink their outfit.