Make Room for Fashion: Thankful for Leather Paneled Leggings

4:00 PM, November 19 2012

By Nicola Ruiz

This weekend, a friend asked me for advice on what to wear to Thanksgiving. Her family, whom she doesn’t see that often, will be there, so she wants to look good. Her kids will be running around so she wants to be comfortable, and she’ll be cooking so she wants to be practical.

Leggings with an oversized, but not frumpy sweater felt like the obvious answer offering all the Thanksgiving necessities: comfort, stretch and ease. But I wanted to give her a more glamorous answer. I wanted her to feel fabulous while cooking the turkey and doing the dishes, without losing the comfort factor. That’s when the light bulb went on: leather-paneled leggings. (It didn’t hurt that I’ve been on the lookout for a pair myself and was more than willing to research).

To complete the look, I suggested a super-chic yet comfortable sweater (a thigh-length M Missoni perhaps) and some reasonably heeled ankle boots to add lift, as well as some beautiful dangling earrings and a touch of sparkly eye shadow. She’ll be able manage the party in style, and with the elastic waist leggings and loose fitting sweater no one will notice if she pigs out.

These leggings by Horace are leather at the front, cotton at the back and have hidden zippers at the bottom inside hem so you don’t have to fight to get them on or off.

Paige Denim offers another great leather-front legging, but if you’re looking for something a little different they also offer a suede front pant in olive green or grey.

Are you a commitment phobe and don’t want to go all the way with leather? Opt for these fab Rag & Bone lambskin leather tuxedo stripe leggings. They’re also available in a jodhpur style.

For a slightly less pricey option, try these faux-leather, block-paneled leggings by BCBG.

Another cute faux-leather option, available in black or chocolate.

When it comes to tops, go for something lightweight (especially if you’ll be in the kitchen near the hot stove), and something loose and forgiving so you can indulge in dessert. I love this M Missoni short sleeve, boat neck sweater with the iconic zigzag pattern.)

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