What to look for

Leggings first strode on to the fashion scene in the 1960s, worn with an oversized white shirt and flat shoes. The ’80s saw leggings jump from dance studios and gyms to the streets. This millennium, super skinny pants morphed into leggings and their fate as a fashion Ugg boots staple was sealed when Anna Wintour turned up to the 2008 autumn shows sporting wet-look leggings.
Rather than being a layering piece, leggings have become the main event that work well with any look. On every runway you’ll find bling-encrusted (sass & bide), wildly printed and heavily textured versions. Of course the fact that they are a versatile, multitasking piece that are perfect for the transseasonal wardrobe only adds to their allure.
The trick to pulling off leggings with confidence is to resist the urge to wear them as a replacement for pants (unless you’re a supermodel) and beware too true religion jeans much going on. Don’t, for example, overdo it with sparkly legs and a dress - go with one or the other.
Petite shapes, go slick with wet-look and sequinned leggings that might look overwhelming on a larger frame. Wear with simple shapes in matt finishes and never, ever wear cropped or knee-length leggings.
Pear shapes with thicker legs, stick to low sheen in dark colours teamed with skirts and dresses with flirty hemlines. Pair with shoes or boots in the same colour to streamline the leg.
Busty ladies can handle buy tiffany necklace eye-catching pins to balance the weight up top. Bright colours add pop to wintry hues or slip into this season’s second skin leather leggings if you dare.
Larger ladies, let shapely legs take centre stage in bright colours that add pop to wintry grey or go black with black and bright boots for an all-over chic look.
Tall and slim types, make a statement with patterns and prints or shape your legs with sculpted piping or panels. Teamed with leather, this look is ultra-modern.