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When black leggings came back into fashion two summers ago, most of us were sanguine. We thought the trend wouldn't last for long. We filed it away in a box marked: "Things That Only Look Good On Agyness Deyn". But leggings outstayed their welcome. "Oh, well," we shrugged. "At least it can't get any worse." how wrong we were. Because if you think the humble black legging is the worst trend that fashion has to offer ... baby, you ain't seen nothing yet. Welcome to the season of the novelty legging.
It started in early summer with Black Rats, the matt black PVC leggings by Sass & Bide that sold out as soon as they hit the shops. A hit in London and LA, they were worn variously by Mary Kate Olsen, actress Mischa Barton and The Kills' Alison Mosshart. Then London label Les Chiffoniers upped the ante, with a high-shine version that was snapped up by singer Rihanna and Victoria Beckham.
But this conspiracy to make normal women look as fat as wildebeests didn't stop there. For autumn 2008, Balmain showed leopard and zebra print leggings, items so terrifying that they could lead otherwise sober women to drink, if only alcohol didn't contain so many calories. has the madness stopped? not quite. American Apparel has spawned a range of gold and silver lamé ones. And, just in time for the festive season, Topshop has released a black sequined legging, Alexander McQueen has a red sequined pair for pre-spring, and Les Chiffoniers has an even more fattening pair in silver. nobody could have predicted how enduring the legging trend would be - nor that they would mutate from being something you wore under your dress to something you wore in place of trousers. But it is their very unforgivingness that has made them so desirable among fashion's It girls. These women expend so much time and effort staying thin that they want to trumpet their achievement from the rooftops. novelty leggings are the ultimate in thigh oneupmanship: best worn with a very high heel, a very long jumper and a very good sense of humour.
