Leggings. My favorite form of pants. People get so worked up over leggings. Are they pants, are they not pants? Can you wear them alone? Can fat girls wear them at all? My answer to all these things is yes, but just like anything else, you have to do it right for maximum effectiveness. As always, you know that I strongly feel that you should wear what makes you happiest so the tips and tricks I list below are not hard rules but merely what I use as guidelines.
Most importantly-
buy good quality leggings. You want leggings that are not even close to tights. The thinner the leggings, the more likely you are going to show your groceries to the world. Spend money on leggings if nothing else. Even the most expensive leggings are still fairly reasonable. Do the "bend test" before you wear them out. If you can see through them when you bend over even a little, never wear them alone. Torrid does an okay job with leggings. Lane Bryant does better.
If you're wearing them
alone-
darker colors work best. The lighter or shinier the leggings, the more they show. Listen, you don't get a booty as big as mine with no cellulite. I feel like that's pretty common sense so often I don't mind too much when it shows but some days I just don't feel like challenging the world's social norms. A light grey legging is perfect under a maxi-tee but worn alone it makes this booty look more like the moon.
Want to wear them as pants but aren't quite comfy with the booty out?
Try a waist wrap. Fall is perfect for this look- especially in the transitional period when you need an extra layer in the morning or night. Try a basic grey tee- black leggings and then a plaid shirt tied around your waist for booty coverage.
Once you use them as a layering tool- under a skirt, with a long tunic etc etc, a lot of the "rules" become a moot point. You can get away with a lot more that way. Even tights. *wink*