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Who knew something so comfy could cause so many problems? | Source: ShutterStock
So, this is happening: someone is taking a stance on the unofficial fashion rule that leggings are not pants. Principal Dave Adney from Minnetonka High School in Minnesota is getting a little tired of the girls in his school wearing leggings just like they would wear a pair of jeans – with short shirts rather than shirts that are long enough to cover up their butts. But, um, is this a good or bad thing? I can’t decide.
Principal Dave Adney sent around an email to parents of students urging them to talk to their kids about the right way to wear leggings, saying they need to “keep things covered up.” To be clear, he doesn’t want to ban leggings altogether – he just wants girls to start wearing longer shirts with them. Apparently, tight leggings are just a little bit too revealing for this high school.
Hm. While I can totally stand behind the statement that leggings are not pants, this is sitting a little weird with me.
I agree – leggings should not be worn as a complete substitute for jeans. Listen ladies, I know leggings are super, ridiculously comfortable, but they can make things just a teensy bit… awkward. I’m talking camel-toe and lots of butt cleavage here. And, okay, if you’re into that sort of thing, that’s cool. Personally, I don’t think pairing tight leggings with a short shirt is a cute look.
But the thing is, that’s my opinion about leggings – and I think that’s more about personal style then it is about a standard dress code. Even though I wouldn’t wear that style myself, I think it’s a little ridiculous to tell girls flat-out that they can’t. A few years ago, I worked at Victoria’s Secret for about five minutes (folding underwear? Not my favorite thing ever), and my manager had a wardrobe rule: we couldn’t wear leggings with shirts that didn’t go halfway down our thighs. She would even send people home to change if they were wearing shirts that were too short. It was one thing for her to tell us that we had to wear all black – that’s the VS dress code. But it was another thing for her to tell us exactly how to wear our clothes. It felt too intrusive and controlling, even if I wasn’t planning on doing it to begin with.
I mean, I can kind of see what this principal is saying – leggings are super tight, they show off a girl’s butt and usually, let’s face it, cameltoe. In other words, they’re distracting to high school boys who are chock full of hormones and just want to stare at a girl’s butt in a pair of leggings instead of staring at his math teacher writing on the board.
But, um, is it really the girl’s fault that that’s happening? No. I agree that girls in high school shouldn’t be showing up to class wearing super provocative outfits. And I totally support the rule that my editor Julie just filled me in on: “Cover the hiney, no matter how tiny.” But like I said before, the way you want to wear your leggings is about your own personal style – and I don’t think anyone, even a school principal, should be telling girls exactly how to dress.
Basically? I think girls should be allowed to wear what they want how they want. Maybe I don’t think it’s a good look, but I’m not the one wearing it. And anyway, it doesn’t matter what I think – if you’re comfortable in what your outfit and you’re happy about how you look, that should really be all that matters. And this principal telling them to invest in some longer shirts? Not too cool, if you ask me.
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You guy are crazy saying its skanky to wear Yoga pants or leggings. I basically wear them everyday and so do most girls at my school and were not whores or anything^.^ gawssshhh
My high school has an issue about this but we actually get sent home because my school considers anything skin tight to be the same as wearing no clothes at all. personally it’s not my style but I believe that females should be allowed to wear whatever they want the same way males can. The clear distinction on what society considers proper for women compared to males is repulsive. Right in my student hand book there is twice as many dress code rules for females than there are for males. If that school believes that it’s a distraction for their male students then perhaps the parents should have taught them to have better respect for others because by staring at girls butts is clearly disrespect. Besides that there are also leggings that aren’t skin tight (I own like six) Walmart sells them actually, and there are also leggings that aren’t sheer either (I have to have thicker ones because I have low blood flow and I get cold really easy). While I do believe women can wear whatever they want I also believe that they should get slightly longer shirts, they don’t even have to go past their butts simply for the fact they won’t get yelled at for wearing what they wish. it’s more of the thought process going through your head think before you wear and make sure if you bend any which way that it looks somewhat proper. (sorry if any one finds any of this offensive I happen to be sleepy and the article kinda made me mad)
Yeah you have a right too wear whatever you want but come on now! No one wants too see (as jessica stated) your camel toe or your nasty butt. At least put some shorts on or a skirt over it! If your just wearing them for attention then most likely it’s gonna be the attention you don’t want but if your really wearing leggings because their comfortable then find an alternative like some sweat pants or something else!
I was in town with my friends and a girl walked out of a shop in front of us wearing leggings and a short top. It would have been ok, but her leggings were really see through, so you could see that she had a very bright coloured thong on underneath :/ it was disgusting!!
you should wear what you love , what makes you feel confident and comfortable . not what other people think about certain styles . do what you love and love what you do
It’s not that big of a deal, guys. It’s the school’s dress code; if you don’t like it, just go to another school. When I lived in Africa I had to wear a uniform for primary school. I survived. And in one of my old schools in America we had to wear a certain color collared shirt, or a school spirit shirt, and blue or black jeans. I lived. In school you’re supposed to be focused on what’s going on in your brain, not on your body, anyways.
Haha I actually live in this district, but I go to one of the middle schools and I’ll be in 9th grade next year. Honestly leggings aren’t a big deal here, and pretty much all of the student body at the HS thought the principals statement was a little ridiculous. Trust me, this whole legging “problem” is pretty much non-existant.
My school had a uniform, so we couldn’t wear leggings anyway, but I think this is ridiculous! I hate how all these comments say that we should keep ourselves covered etc. Yes, maybe showing too much skin can look trashy, but leggings don’t show any, and most leggings aren’t even that seethrough. The way I see it, we should be able to dress how we want! No one complains about boys walking around shirtless in hot weather, yet females have to dress like friggin’ nuns! It’s ridiculous, and we shouldn’t have to be punished for boys’ immaturity and lack of intelligence! Sorry not sorry!
Not only are leggings/tights super-tight, but they are Thin, and also Sheer(see-through), even the ones that claim they aren’t, tend to be sheer… Now combine all of that, its kind of like wearing nylons as pants. (And that isn’t very warm either.) And not only should it be supervised how they’re worn because of only “distracting boys from their schoolwork”, schools should be responsible (as wells parents), to make sure girls understand that they are more mature than most boys their age, but don’t know everything- and therefore they have to learn to take responsibility for what/who they are, and have respect for themselves. Wearing them for sleep, exercise, and under skirts and dresses are appropriate as long as they’re not short. Getting affection by almost being nude is short-lived, and there are better ways to get attention/affection, as well better ways to wear leggings. Also boys tend to give attention and girls tend to not always know if it’s good-intentions or not. a.k.a.: Making fun of behind back and hitting on in front of, as opposed to just plain hitting on/thinking they’re hot. Not that either one in this situation is justified, but girls need to know the difference and act upon their knowing what is true. Yes, true, it is sad the day us girls figure out that we have to be the bigger person AND constantly watch what our bodies are doing, how differently clothes fit us over time, as well as fashion changing the cut and sheerness of our clothes to choose from to begin with (or to me, more cheap-thin-bad quality-made clothing charging same amounts of money as non-sheer, thicker, well-made clothing!)
gurls, do have to grow up faster, and unfortunately that is often too misunderstood, and is done in the wrong way.
wow, who thought legging could connect all of this?! Just think.
I have leggings that are not sheer and boys need to learn to keep their dicks in their pants.
Men can go shirtless and girls can’t even wear leggings LOL
it really isn’t about not wearing leggings, it’s about wearing something to cover our butts…. I think it’s disgusting when girls wear leggings but don’t wear anything over it.
The big issue here is not leggings in general, but leggings at school. Guys are most certainly not walking around their schools shirtless.
Wow! A lot if people who have posted a comment have really been kind of negative.now I do agree also that you should dress modest. But I don’t see the big problem in wearing legging. they are super conformable! I see the point though on at least wear a shirt that covers your but because leggings are really thight.so I guess the issue of wearing them can go both ways.my opinion though I love them!;)
personally i dont like leggings as pants but, no leggings at all is ridiculous. I cant stand being told what and what i cannot wear. I love fashion and my theory is if its not showing nakedness or boobs its not inappropriate! okay exception on tacky short skirts… and shirts that are so thin you can see your stomach. But I find that principals rule a little too severe.
I think this is not very much of big deal.
I go to a school and we have a uniform where we have to wear ties, blazers and knee length skirts. Our PE uniform is a polo shirt, tied up hair, school hoodies, white trainers, white socks and black trousers without stripes, flares or colour.
It’s annoying but if you can’t put up with it then you shouldn’t go to the school. It’s exactly the same as going to schools for their location or religion.
In fact, I know a girl who goes to an Islam school because it has a good teachers and results. She has to wear a Hijab and keep herself covered but she doesn’t mind or else she wouldn go there.
This is so not an issue of personal style. It’s about dress code, and this rule is really common in schools all over the country. You wouldn’t be allowed to go to school in booty shorts and a corset. So why would they let you go to school wearing leggings as pants? I suppose you think wearing skanky clothes to school is an issue of personal style too? Give me a break.
And it is completely acceptable for your manager to forbid them at work a well. It is innapropriate in the workplace. I mean come on! It’s just unprofessional.
Not to mention that the girls who wear yoga pants/leggings as actual pants are not wearing them for personal style. They just want attention. Seriously.
agreed
i wear leggings the other day with a 5 in below the waist shirt…this was unusual for me cause i am modest and dress like a young sunday school teacher
Its school, not the runway. Its a place of dignity and respect. He’s not saying they can’t wear them but wear them appropriately. Not horrible to ask, you should dress appropriately for school, its not a fashion statement save it for the weekends.
At my school, we aren’t aloud to wear leggings or jeggings.
We have the same rule at my school, and even though I’ve actually gotten caught before for wearing leggings with a shirt that wasn’t long enough, I don’t mind the rule. Leggings-as-pants can be too tight and they’re not particularly appropriate for school anyway.
It’s more about dressing nicely than controlling them. Look at it this way: would you want your doctor to roll into your appointment in a short shirt and leggings, or would you rather have them in slacks, a nice shirt, and a lab coat?
At my school, we have a much more strict policy. We are not only not allowed to wear leggings without shirt that meets your fingertips at your thighs, but we are not allowed to wear yoga pants, or any other tight pants. Whether they be tight fitted sweat pants, or sweats with a flap, similar to yogas, we are not able to wear them. If we do, we are sent home. It’s ridiculous.
wow you have a very strict school!!
Same here! We also can’t show our shoulders..