Recently in Leggings Category

It has come to my attention that I have become way too colorful.  A friend blamed it on Texas but I say it's old age.  There was a time that I'd only wear black/white/gray, but as I look in my closet right now, it's like someone threw up rainbow sherbert in it.  Not that I'm going to stop wearing color (cuz god knows I love me a good pink dress) but I need more black to bring me back to my east coast sensibilities!  And no one does black better than the Queen of 7th Avenue, Donna Karan.  I'm thinking a good coat, pair of leggings and versatile top will be perfect foundation pieces and I can always incorporate color in as I please (obsessed with deep bloody red).  Loving the options I found above (can I just say again how much I love my job? I shopped all weekend and called it work!):

Donna Karan Organza Tweed Jacket ($2,495) If there is anything I've learned throughout the years it's to invest in a one good coat each season.  You can throw on anything underneath and look impeccably dressed.
Donna Karan Stretch-Jersey Leggings ($495) Forget Spanx, have you tried DK's jersey leggings?  I love them with boots, sooooo chic!
Donna Karan Melange Stretch-Jersey Top ($750) This is a piece I can wear as is or with a belt.  I can do a fitted belt or one slung low on the hip over leggings.  Can it please get cold already?  I'm buying my Fall wardrobe like a maniac and it's 100 degrees here! 

I am fascinated with the never ending variations of leggings-- it is one trend that will not be going away anytime soon.  The latest, a bullet paneled version from Sass & Bide, is one that I'm not sure everyone can carry off (certainly not me).  But if you're headed to The Box in NYC (if you have not been you must go see the spectacle, insane!) you'll fit in perfectly.  And if they ever decide to film Blade Runner 5 (can't remember how many there are) this is the perfect costume.  What about you, would you wear this?
Sass & Bide Bullet Paneled Leggings for $280

Last week I had the chance to get a peak at the Doo.Ri Fall 2010 Under.Ligne collection at the designer's studio. Doo Ri was on hand (gorgeous skin!), to guide viewers through her more affordable collection which was predominantly black with a few gray and patterned pieces in between. I love the jersey the designer worked with. It reminded me of a lot of my fave The Row tops, because it's so light, easy to wear, and soft. A wool loop cardigan and a leather and jersey dress (both below), also stood-out. Jump for more images of the collection!

Like Goldilocks, we will not rest until we find perfect leggings! But from too sheer, too thick, too stretchy to fading (the worst!), the hunt for perfect leggings (that does not cost $1,000) seem to be endless. But our search may have ended thanks to our fab friend at fffabulous who tells us David Lerner basic leggings are the best leggings, EVER. Never one to miss out on a good pair of leggings (see entry earlier on lambskin leggings on sale!) I of course am ordering a pair, pronto. At $88 it's worth a try! David Lerner Basic Leggings in Black or Charcoal here

What about you, have you found your perfect pair of leggings?

Leather leggings will still be your best friend next fall, judging from all the skinny silhouettes I saw on the runways in NYC and Milan so get a pair now half off!  Kristen Stewart wore a pair  from Bird by Juicy Couture in lambskin leather with a low rise and banded waist (super skinny through legs!)  I'm quite impressed with Bird by Juicy Couture, the line offers basic pieces with a casual chic flair-- very similar to The Row but it costs and the quality is definitely comparable.  Check the line out when you're at Neiman Marcus.  Bird by Juicy Couture Leather Leggings at Bergdorf Goodman. Original: $895.00 NOW: $448.00

And here I thought it couldn't get any worse than jeggings! Boy was I wrong! Wow is all I can say about these ripped leggings. Who in their right mind would not only wear these, but could stomach paying $100 for them?? Even if you could pull these off, there's something so poseur-ish about wearing faux-ripped leggings. Not only are you wearing leggings meant to mimic actual pants or jeans, but then you have this fake wear-and-tear. I don't even think someone with a too-cool-for-school personality a la Erin Wasson could pull these off (and I sure hope she doesn't try!).

What do you think about ripped jean leggings? Snob or Slob?

Fake jeans that are actually leggings are gross. But super thin real jeans that can easily tuck into boots are awesome! My calves are such that when put in boots there is not much room left for jeans of normal thickness, so instead of pouting about not being able to wear boots over jeans, I have these J Brand Denim "Leggings". They are jeans in every way except wafer thin. They are stretchy and oh-so comfortable!! I have 2 pairs in gray and dark denim and they take turns being on me. At Net-a-Porter for $170.

A lot of people find this hard to believe, but there is no Target in Manhattan (a travesty if you ask me:-(). Luckily the folks at Target know that there are a ton of fashion obsessed folks in NYC that would do pretty much anything to get their hands on limited edition frugal designer collaborations, so they usually have some form of a pop-up shop when they launch one of their special lines. This time around - over a week before the line officially launched - Target helped take the hassle out of holiday shopping with a Target To-Go walk-up holiday shopping stand. Stationed under the High Line they had display windows with 50 items including three Rodarte for Target dresses (see image below) from which shoppers got to choose what they wanted and then ordered (like you would at a fast food drive-through), payed, and got the items all wrapped and ready-to-go...pretty genius idea if you ask me! I snapped-up the Rodarte Rip Cage dress ($49.95), and was surprised at how great the quality was. Of course my mother cringed when she saw it and asked that I please return it in favor of something else (no chance, I love it!), but even she was impressed by the workmanship given the price. Target definitely beats out H&M when it comes to quality and price of these designer collaborations and I anticipate people buying-up a ton of Rodarte today. I myself am logging-on to buy some lace cardigans!

Will you be shopping the Rodarte for Target collection today?

I've been wearing Alice+Olivia's Ponte & Leather leggings a lot this season-- they make everything in my closet instantly modern and edgy (even a ten year old Donna Karan cashmere tunic!)  Don't fear these leggings, the luxe leather details wrap around in a curve so your legs actually look long(er) and thin(ner).  Try them with the YSL booties or a knee high boot for a tough-chic sophistication.  Alice + Olivia Ponte & Leather Leggings here- $330

I'm pretty much over leggings/spandex. Unless I'm going to the gym, I rarely wear them other than when it's pouring rain and I don't want to get my pants wet. I guess designers have caught on to a slight legging backlash because they've been spicing things up with all kinds of twists on the classic, plain black ones. I can't see myself sporting any of the variations (ripped, accented with leather, equestrian-style...). They look too overtly trendy and uncomfortable! What do you think about leggings with a twist? Jump for buying info.