Jeggings: A Love Story

"Jeggings" - or jean leggings - have been the latest fashion phenomenon to rock the rack in the denim section at department stores. When I first heard about these leggings that looked like jeans, I was a bit skeptical. How can non-pants pass as pants, let alone everyday jeans? I did some research and asked around and found out that a number of denim brands are making and selling these jeggings: Joe's Jeans, JBrand, Seven, etc. I figured they couldn't be sold for more than $60, because after all they're made of spandex and cotton, right? Wrong. Unfortunately they end up costing only a little less than a regular pair of designer jeans. After getting some positive reinforcement from some male friends, I decided I would check with my female friends first to see what they thought about this fashion trend. Some responses:

"Ew"
"Never"
"Don't even think about it - you'll thank me years from now"
"Leggings aren't pants"
"Don't call them jeggings"

As you can see, about 90% of the responses were pretty negative. Yet, I still wasn't convinced.

Now, it's my understanding that the perfect pair of jeggings would be as comfortable as a pair of leggings, but tactfully disguised as a pair of slimming skinny jeans; I was determined to seek out a pair like this. And I was pretty sure I knew where to find them: the one and only Bloomingdale's.

On a mission like no other, I shot down to the mall and marched my way through the post-holiday sale shoppers, earphones in (rocking to Lady Gaga, no doubt), eyes on the prize. I made my way to the sparkly department store and escalated right up to the fourth floor. Low and behold, my beloved jeggings were on display, front and center for everyone to see. I immediately rummaged through the piles, picking up different shades, different stretches, any brand. After noticing piles of "denim" in my arms the kind sales woman, Annie, offered to start a room for me. Moments later I found myself in the dressing room, pulling on the various pairs of jeggings that I scooped up. The first pair looked too much like leggings. The second pair looked too much like skinny jeans that I already owned. I immediately nixed three pairs because the fade was too dark or too gray. And right when I was starting to get discouraged, I found them: JBrand electric leggings, my perfect pair. Not only did they look exactly like skinny jeans (with pockets in the front and back, and stitching down the side), but they fit like a glove. I felt like I had just pulled on a pair of my favorite American Apparel leggings. Even though they cost a little more than I intended to spend, I couldn't resist. It was meant to be.

When I got home that Friday, I put them on and didn't take them off until Sunday night. They even kept their stretch the whole weekend long! I wore them with sweaters, boots, blazers, and flats. The best part is my friend - who so adamantly insisted that jeggings were the worse thing since the scrungie - didn't even notice I was wearing them. And when I pointed them out to her, she admitted how cute they looked. I turned her. And I will turn you.

Long live the jeggings!