Kendrick O. Ansah– GIJ, Accra
Guest Writer Kendrick Ofei Ansah finds out whether the new fashion style is acceptable or a flawed dressing habit.
Fashion, I have always held the view is subject to one’s style and taste. I have never had cause to reconsider that stance.
The act of going against norms to make something interesting yet original is what makes it the more exciting.
I am never one however to give my backing for the improper combination of clothes.
Even with my strongest opinions on individuals exerting their own powers over their appearance needs; what, how, when, why and what to where are questions that can never be overlooked in the world of fashion and style.
In recent years, my ruling on leggings has been gradually and wrongfully overturned, so I know this may come as a surprise.
Ideally, leggings is meant to be worn as part of layered outfit and thus considered a versatile piece of any woman’s wardrobe.
However, not every woman understands how to wear them properly.
Recently, my interactions with students on campus made headlines for the uproar generated by class reps suggested a ban on leggings.
The pants they opined were deemed too distracting for a school environment but students, lecturers and some members in the media fraternity were upset by this assessment.
Essentially, they argued that if young boys were distracted by such attire they should learn to control themselves.
Meanwhile, others have pointed out that pants are not considered professional attire.
As such, they should not be allowed on campus where education is a primary objective and aims particularly at teaching students to become professionals.
I can sympathise with that sentiment too.
Daddy made sure I was always dressed nicely for school; never in a sweatpants or super casual clothes.
Good grooming is part of putting your foot forward, he would say to me every morning as I prepared to leave for school.
The aim of this writing, nonetheless, is not to pick sides on decisions for dress code.
I am more interested in the unending fashion question that has resurfaced in the light of school controversy:
ARE LEGGINGS PANTS?
Well, my short answer is NO.
Under most circumstances leggings can’t be considered pants and should be worn only under dresses.
Take athletic pants for example. These are made from fairly thick spandex. For this reason they are most appropriate for exercises as they improve performance, better at sweat absorption and less likely to stretch excessively or droop etc.
This is quite a different prospect from leggings that can be found on the Ghanaian market today which mostly I’m sorry to say are see-through.
So unless you are taking an early morning jog, your leggings cannot probably stand alone in certain scenarios.
If flesh can be seen through your leggings, then you certainly cannot consider such an attire to be pants.
Pants are supposed to do otherwise; cover your flesh and most importantly your private parts as well.
Do pants have waistbands?
When your leggings are meant to be worn under clothing, the waistband will be as inconspicuous as possible so it doesn’t make you look lumpy.
Leggings that are intended to be worn as casual pants should likely have fairly thick or rolled down waistbands. No persons conscious of public opinion would like to consider these leggings to be figure flattering.
True, you may not care but failing to give a thud about how people perceive you outside your home do not mean your actions and deeds are right.
Maintaining social and moral decorum is a value very much cherished in our Ghanaian society.
Here’s my personal concern with leggings as pants epidemic: who would want their hips’ or thighs’ rear end contained in such flimsy garment?
For most women, one or more of these areas is a source of bodily defects. While I think we should all be proud of our bodies, we also owe ourselves and onlookers some courtesy of pants that are at least flattering but equally supportive.
Upon interviewing a few students on the campus of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, there so many views I got that I want to share.
A first year Diploma Student Akua, on campus criticized ladies who wear leggings without attire such as long tops or any other long dress for that matter.
This she says, exposes certain parts of the body and at times underwear and beads as well.
Another student, Rita a Level 100 student made a startling revelation.
She says, “leggings can at times be very itchy. According to my mom who is a doctor, wearing them without any underwear as some ladies do could also be medically wrong and unhealthy”.
A few others maintained that wearing leggings was a laudable idea as it makes them feel comfortable, smart and overall very ‘sexy’ too.
That is very true. In fact I could not disagree, especially talking about smart and ‘sexy’. Yet one should refuse to allow his eye’s lust to overpower the sanity of the heart and brains.
Are leggings pants? A very big NO!
What do you think?
Have your say!
Life is all about opinions, make your voice heard.
PHOTOS;
gametreport.com
everyjoe.com
clearingpreppysname.com
aliexpress.com
onthedailyexress.blogspot.com
blog.melaniepace.com
barimanana.wordpress.com 