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Refinery29 has published over 100 stories about leggings. We've road-tested the best black leggings, helped you nab the ones that are selling out fast, and found workout leggings with, hallelujah, pockets. It's taken a few years, but the consensus is in: yes, leggings can absolutely be worn as pants. I'm not here to further that debate, but instead to ask, what other lives can our leggings live? I spent a week exploring this, and I'm now making the case for leggings as extra skinny trousers, longer bike shorts, and a warmer alternative to tights. They're the winter layering piece that will enable you to wear your mini dresses when the weather gets frigid, and save you when a dress is unexpectedly (or expectedly) sheer.
I ended my all-leggings week feeling more nimble, aerodynamic, and energized. I surprised myself (and many of my friends) with how many events I successfully attended on time, and even caught myself power walking faster than usual at one point. While I have yet to find an easier way to take off my leggings without turning them completely inside out (suggestions welcome), these 7 days have opened my mind to all of the possibilities leggings have to offer.
Ahead, read how I fared for a week, and brainstorm with me about what's next for this versatile staple. Just don't forget to wear seamless underwear.
Welcome to MyIdentity. The road to owning your identity is rarely easy. In this yearlong program, we will celebrate that journey and explore how the choices we make on the outside reflect what we're feeling on the inside — and the important role fashion and beauty play in helping people find and express who they are.
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