So skinny jeans drive you mad and you find yourself, as we meander very slowly towards chillier weather, knowing that five days out of seven you will still want to reach for a pair of black leggings: they’re cosy, comfy and slimming. Why would you not?
David Lerner Classic coated legging £94
Taking this cost-per-wear potential on board, have a think about upgrading your Topshop calf-lengthers to a pair of coated leggings by American stretch-fabric whizz kid David Lerner. They look absolutely abysmal in this photo above, but are excellent on.
I was alerted to David Lerner when I bought a pair of cropped flares, (a very discreet flare – they’re nice), in his trademark stretch-coated fabric from a boutique in Primrose Hill two years ago and they are brilliant. They don’t sag at the knee and they have an intriguing sheen, which is less boring than jersey, more chic than lycra but not as frightening as leather.
They are only available from ShopBop, which is a bore. Be careful here on sizing – I am a 10-12 and took an S, which is a little bit snug – but I fear a M would be baggy. Anyway, make sure you’re reasonably prepared to exchange them if you go for these.
Also I must mark the fact that Hush – of which we are all fans, I know – are now stocked by John Lewis. I, for one, will be going along to try on a pair of their leather leggings, which at £330 are expensive but several hundred pounds less expensive than other kinds. Unusually for Hush, they don’t look nice in the photo, but may look better on.
Another good value leather legging option is by Baukjen. I normally look through the catalogue just for a laugh, but their pair at £349 is worth investigating if only because it does well in the photos. I mean, I say I look through the Baukjen catalogue for a laugh but the white shirt that I am wearing right now that I get loads of compliments on is from there, so maybe just ignore me.
Esther please report back on the Hush leggings. Been eying up the Baukjen ones for a post pregnancy treat and now Hush have added themselves to the mix. Bit scary though I agree.
Anna I want to immediately say: WAIT until 9 months after the baby is born before you spend quite so much money on actual leather leggings – unless you are one of those people who snaps right back into shape very quickly (I make no judgment) – however much you think you are back to your normal shape after having a baby, you will only get slimmer and slimmer and then your leather leggings will be too big and it’s just too big a financial gamble, I think… but yes I will try them on! xx
Argh! A hundred quid for leggings?!? You’re so posh.
yes but not any old leggings – they are really good, a sort of jeans alternative, and £100 for jeans isn’t that much
I desperately want the Hush leather leggings but I will have to wait for the sale. I doubt they will even be in it. Sob.
The coated leggings look like a good alternative though…
Question: does the usual legging rule of covering up your bum/crotch area still apply to these ones?
yes I’m afraid so, but there is a slew of long shirts around at the moment, which will do the job effortlessly
Was wondering how the david lerner ones have washed – reviews on shopbop are a little mixed. Thank you!
erk! Haven’t washed them yet! how disgusting… but I have another coated pair and they wash okay. you just do them on 30 and don’t wash them all the time. or dry clean