it’s time to talk about leggings [and other atrocities]

Posted on | May 17, 2010 | 53 Comments

leggings.

let’s forget the fact that from basically 1989 through 1993, leggings were tha COOLEST. let’s forget that once that time in my life passed, i swore to jordan knight that i’d NEVAR wear leggings again (at which juncture i was probably rocking some flared jeans). my wardrobe during late elementary school was as follows: black leggings (or for the love of all that is holy, stirrup pants), colored turtle neck, GIANT MEANT FOR PROBABLY XL GROWN MAN sweatshirt, colored socks to match said turtleneck (seriously, who wears turtlenecks?) and white keds. throw in a scrunchie in matching bright color and badly permed hair and you’ve got one sad recipe for a frumpy looking hot mess of a 6th grader.

but i swear to hypercolor, i thought i looked down right amazing.

seriously, what are you hiding in there? a popple? your pocket rocker?

remember the jeans that were super tight at the ankles, so much so that they needed a zipper placed there so you could get them on? let’s not even talk about the denim bow placed right above the zipper. and how about bodysuits? i almost dropped my americano at the mall last week when i saw BODYSUITS in not one but three, THREE stores. for adults. like WE should be wearing them. i had to sit down. and then have a talk with Harper.

i told her bodysuits were not ok. for her? a onesie? YES. for anyone over the age of 3? NO. exibit A – my sweet ace bodysuit i wore to the very first school dance in 7th grade (when they weren’t fancy, you just went on a friday night and showed your ASB card and stood around awkwardly until a boy who was shorter than you and had a squeaky voice ended up asking you to dance and then ZOMG how do you even dance?). how did we pee? how awkward is it to reach down and snap yourself into a shirt that joins together at the crotch?

can’t forget mah scrunchy! i’ll need it to pull my hair back when i’m all sweaty from dancing to the DJ from KUBE 93!

i also fully informed her that i don’t care if these come back, she will NOT ever wear spandex bicycle shorts unless she somehow starts professionally riding bicycles at the age of seven. what the hell were we thinking?

i’d be pissed too little mandy – you look asinine.

what happens between the age of like 6 and 17 with girls clothes? one day, absolutely adorable little outfits, the next hot messes like seen above are happening. or was it just lucky us for growing up in the 80s and 90s? either way, we have a problem now readers.

i pink puffy sparkly unicorn heart leggings again.

i said i never would wear anything that conformed to my gams, lest people see the actual shape of my leg. but i can’t help it. they’re so comfy. and great for any occasion. if you follow me on twitter, you know my leggings turn into weggings when i’m drinking wine. time for bed? pajeggings.

but a bodysuit? absolutely not. *

post summary : any and all pointing and laughing will be deleted. and no, you can’t borrow my crocheted vest.

*no seriously, NOT EVER.

Category: memoriiiiiiiiies, sillyness, thats embarassing

Comments

  • http://twitter.com/meredithblumoff meredith

    this post brings my adoration for you to an all-time high. just sayin’.

    [Reply]

  • http://hialissa.com alissa

    um, i’d consider wearing a bodysuit. only if my little tummy pouch goes away though.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.poppymilkface.wordpress.com emily bilbrey

    um, so, this is GENIUS. GENIUS I TELLS YOU! love the vintage mandy pics, absolutely amazing. oh and ftr, my FAVE outfit in fourth grade was a floral long-sleeved bodysuit with puffy shoulders, covered by a crocheted cream vest that tied at the chest, tapered jeans and keds. oh and DON’T forget the TWO scrunchies – one for my sweet waist-length ponytail, and the other to wear on my wrist. you know, for fashion.

    fucking rad, lady. this rules my face.

    oh and i’ve totally heard the new adult bodysuits being referred to as “onesies”, makes me giggle ’cause it’s true.

    xoxo!

    [Reply]

    Amber Reply:
    May 18th, 2010 at 9:32 pm

    OMG I had sooooooo many scrunchies! Do you remember pinch-rolling (or pegging) your jeans. Ya know, if you bought a pair that didn’t have the zipper? Or, even better….Z Cavaricchis!!!!!!!!!!!

    [Reply]

  • http://www.raisingmadison.com Joanna

    Ummm, I have a picture of me from a 7th grade school dance wearing a pink TURTLE neck bodysuit with a sweet vest over it. Now I must find it and scan it. Oh yah, and I had a perm.

    [Reply]

  • strin012

    Have you heard about jean leggings? They’re called jeggings. I kid you not.

    Wear your leggings all you want, but please remember (as the little co-eds can’t) that leggings do not equal pants.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.makingsomethinggood.blogspot.com liz

    are we the same person?

    i had that minney mouse sweatshirt… and rocked the black body suit with crochet vest over it…

    serious.

    thanks for the flashback giggles!

    [Reply]

  • http://rubysu87.blogspot.com CDG

    Mandy, we were preteenhotmessfashionTWINS. seriously, i think i had those bike shorts. only you are brave and post pictures, and I hide mine under the loose floorboards in the scary spare bedroom that functions as our storage unit while we remodel.

    no one will see them, ever.

    i now prefer to stay in the early aughts and wear yoga pants everywhere.

    [Reply]

  • http://wearethesheppards.wordpress.com Jennifer S.

    Whoa, blast from the past. My mom has THOUSANDS of pictures with me looking this way as well. Oh spandex bike shorts with neon t-shirts…what the heck were we thinking? Also, let’s not forget wearing multiple socks of varying colors. So (not) hot.

    I cannot wait for more vintage Mandy pictures. Surely you went through the grunge stage was well? Yes? C’mon flannel shirts & all things “rock” a la Eddie Vedder? I did.

    Our children will surely be embarrassed upon seeing these pictures when they’re 10/12ish. They will laugh & make fun & pray to any/all gods they will not make the same mistakes.

    [Reply]

  • Erin

    Mandy, you are hilariously awesome. We must have shopped at all the same places – I had so many of the same things! Although, I never wore a bodysuit. My mom thought they were weird (good momma!). But the crocethed vest – check. Leggings and turtleneck plus scrunchie – check (do you remember when BP at Nordies had matching scrunchies for EVERY.THING.?) One of my favorite atrocities I wore for the first day of 4th grade: a one piece jumper – navy blue with white and lavender flowers, with attached lace trimmed biker shorts sticking out from underneath a short ruffle skirt. It was epic.

    And the KUBE 93 DJ? Hilarious! Unfortunately I remember having those at our school, too. It was a big freakin deal. Ahh, memories…

    [Reply]

  • http://www.stefibeth.blogspot.com Stephanie @ Confessions of a Trophy Wife

    OMG what an awesome post! You seriously just took me back to middle school! I totally rocked the stirrup pants, scrunched socks, turtle neck and matching scrunchie look! And I was stylin’!

    [Reply]

  • http://bringingupbaby.tumblr.com Jess @ Bringing Up Baby

    I wanted a body suit more than anything in the entire world when I was in junior high. I wanted to wear it with a pair of pipe-legged jeans and maybe toss a flannel on top and I knew I would look like I stepped straight out of Seventeen Magazine.

    My mom then pointed out that I would have snaps in my crotch, and so I’d essentially be fumbling with my crotch all the time. It was then I decided that a body suit wasn’t for me. And I maintain that position to this day. Unless I have a diaper as a buffer, no snaps will ever sit upon this crotch.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.mybottlesup.com nic @mybottlesup

    oh sweet jesus of all that is holy!!!!!! those pictures are AMAZING!!!!!!!!! never will i ever be brave enough to share pictures of myself at that age… but my fave is the body suit plus scrunchie PLUS shorts that must’ve given you THE WORST CAMEL-TOE EVA!!!! those things come up so damn high!!!! and the belt…. oh lawd, the belt…

    FANTASTIC!!!! i mean, i loved you before… but now… my admiration has reached a whole new level of awesome.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.lindseyivory.blogspot.com Lindsey

    This just made my day. And probably my week. Unless I have my baby. That just might trump this amazing post…maybe ;)

    [Reply]

  • http://baby-to-go.blogspot.com/ harmskills @ Baby To Go

    i recall all of it. and alot of neon

    [Reply]

  • Kate

    I know fashion comes in cycles but this is the first one where I’m old enough to remember the original styles and OMG is it horrifying.

    [Reply]

  • http://verbalintent.com priscilla

    i don’t know what’s better. that you’re wearing leggings again, or the brass pair you have to post jr. high pictures of yourself on the internet. i raise my glass to you, lady.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.elevenyellowdandelions.blogspot.com Allie

    Haha, this is hilarious! And KUBE 93? Hell yeah! I always forget you’re a WA girl too.

    [Reply]

  • rachel

    Hypercolor. wow. If you pit-out, you don’t just have a stain you have a bright colored mark under your pit announcing your b.o. to the world! I liked wearing my tees with the “t-shirt slide” that fabulous little plastic accessory.
    Fun post! love the pics

    [Reply]

  • http://beforethebabywakes.blogspot.com Alex @alexcampbell11

    If this was pre-baby I would totally be rocking a body suit, but alas its not so no worries there.

    But HELLO I love leggings and I love stirrups (haven’t gotten a pair, but thinking about it)

    And as for biker shorts. Ordered a pair from American Apparel last week.

    Nothing is new under the sun and as long as I don’t wear them with large scrunchies I’m totally game for ANYTHING

    [Reply]

  • http:racheldenbow.com rachel denbow

    I had those SAME biker spandex! My best friend had that Mickey Mouse sweatshirt, and the girl we all loved to hate because she was so popular and trendy had those bodysuit/vest combos regularly. HOT in the 80′s, right?!

    Thanks for taking me back… :)

    [Reply]

  • http://www.germama.com Brittany

    Ah, the awkward years made even more so by fashions such as these. I wore leggings and giant sweatshirts through all of 6th grade. AND I had a perm and half-orange hair (known to this day as “the Sun-In incident.”)

    [Reply]

    Sarah L. Reply:
    May 18th, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    OMG, Sun-In.

    [Reply]

  • http://andpuppydogstales.blogspot.com Lisa

    The only thing worse than stirrup pants and bodysuits was Units.

    I had completely forgotten the bows above the zipper jeans. Those were cool until I figured out the tightroll.

    And thanks to your FB post about leggings I ordered a pair (except I went with Sassybax.)

    [Reply]

  • http://mommyisrocknroll.com Lauren

    DUDE You and I totally had the same wardrobe growing up. Biker shorts? Really? I know I rocked my Hypercolor tee shirt while smooching my NKOTB poster. WITH TONGUE.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.corasstory.org Kristine Brite McCormick

    Body suits are making a comeback? Is this a joke… I think you’re trying to make me fall for it. Bodysuits. No. Freaking. Way. Ewwwww.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.bebehblog.com Suzanne

    I thought you were going to slam leggings as STILL not ok and I was totally ready to fight you to the death on that one. I LOVE my leggings. They’re so comfy! And practical! They make hoochie length dresses appropriate! I am wearing leggings RIGHT NOW.

    But since you said leggings are ok, we’re cool. Your commenters who want to wear bodysuits, however, are no longer allowed at my house.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.notmommyoftheyear.com Krista @ Not Mommy of the Year

    UM… Confession time, this is a safe place right? I’ve seen blouses / dress shirts that are bodysuits and they seem sort of genious because I spend all day tucking mine back in. But, the snaping myself in at the crotch thing, is the reason I can’t bring myself to buy one (yet.)
    Ok, I will remove my dorky self from your blog now.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.law-momma.com Law Momma

    I had a perm in the 80s. I don’t like to remember it. Imagine… Annie. Only worse. With braces. *shudder* I have to admit I am not a leggings fan. I just don’t know what to wear them with! I wore them when I was pregnant because they were so comfy but I haven’t figured out a way to make that transition into “normal” wear. And I’m okay with that. No one needs to see these thighs in anything that snug!

    [Reply]

  • http://www.gjmoorhead.blogspot.com Gina

    Oh Mandy, I just love, love, love you. This post has me freaking CRACKING UP at my desk at work. You know why? Because you are HIGHLARIOUS, and because you are so flipping spot-on about all the ATROCIOUS attire we had to endure as kids. Thank the lord you had a heart-to-heart with Miss H.

    And you know why else? Because I honestly have similar photos of myself as a kid wearing the same getups that you are sporting in the above photos. The bike shorts? I’m pretty sure I had the same ones. And the first photo? You could show that photo to my mom, and she would think that was me.

    LOVE!

    [Reply]

  • http://www.mom-nom.com Tiffany

    Oh gurl, I was just cracking up. I believe I rocked every.single.one of those outfits. What the hell was up with bodysuits, really? Those snaps? I am pretty sure I quit snapping mine and just tucked it into my pants – that should have been my sign. SHOULD have.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.growingsweetpea.com/ Mama Pea

    I had that same Minnie Mouse sweatshirt! I wore it with my black stirrup pants, red socks, and white sneakers. I used my red scrunchy to wear my hair in a SIDE PONY. It was totally rad.

    [Reply]

  • michelle

    pajeggings is my new fav word, and one of the funniest words of all time!!!!

    [Reply]

  • http://www.elyisoutofmybelly.blogspot.com Ely’s Mom

    I was on the younger side of these trends (or maybe just the less fashioable bunch), but have a couple distinct memories:
    1) Lace-up ankle boots that folded down at the top to go with my autumn leaf print leggings.
    2) Sitting on the sidewalk with some older girls, being taught to “properly” peg my jeans so I could be a “prep” or a “bop”. I don’t remember which group was the to-die-for group at the time!
    3) My mother looking for her shoulder pads- which were stuffed into my bra (that I didn’t need) under my hot body suit!

    Oh, how I hope Ely has better fashion sense than her mother!

    [Reply]

  • http://startingfrommrsscratch.tumblr.com Jennifer W.

    Yeah…so I also rocked the scrunchy socks, but layered them in neon colors…and reebok or LA Gear high tops. Plus, I also wore a fanny pack. Wow…I’m so glad you posted this. I think it’s hilarious the old fads and I have yet to see the bodysuits back in fashion…but I will definitely steer clear of those.

    [Reply]

  • http:www.lifeintheha.com Ali

    LMAO! Oh, Mandy, I had an almost identical wardrobe to you – seriously, I just about fell off my chair when I saw the scrunchy around your wrist! What were we thinking?!

    [Reply]

  • http://prettyswellblog.com Suzanne from pretty*swell

    Lordy, these pictures are hilarious! And awfully (shamefully) familiar. Scrunchy, vest and all.

    Soooo … I’m curious. How do you wear leggings today? Been thinking of giving it a shot (especially like those jean-legging hybrid thingies), but have no idea how to wear them without my ass hanging out. :) Fashion show, Mandy! Fashion show!

    [Reply]

  • http://wakingupwilliams.com LCW

    I have tears in my eyes from laughing to so hard. Because I could see myself in those same outfits. Oh my, I can’t believe my mother let me leave the house that way, but i know I looked GOOOOOD (at the time).

    I love my leggings, I have rocked them with some killer tops too. But bodysuits, nope, never. And scrunchies…nope, never.

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  • http://www.onceuponacline.com Mrs. Cline

    I’ve gotta go with yes. Yes, we are basically the same person.

    (Except I can’t drink wine.)

    [Reply]

  • http://penelopeblue.blogspot.com/ Lori

    Funniest post ever. Love the pics, too!

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  • http://penelopeblue.blogspot.com/ Lori

    Oh, and I totally had that Minnie Mouse sweatshirt.

    [Reply]

  • http://www.elsagedesigns.com Phoebe CarpenterEells

    We would have been friends… no seriously. Twins even.

    [Reply]

  • http://thechroniclesofcorbin.blogspot.com/ Jill

    this is such a funny post! i wore all those outfits too! yikes! it reminded me of this ah-mazing site! http://imremembering.com/

    [Reply]

  • http://josiahsnest.com moriah

    super cute scrunchie! i used to wear like 5 in my hair at once. all different colors. all from limited too.

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  • http://jennandtonica.com Jenny

    We could have been fashion twins back in the day. HOTNESS!

    [Reply]

  • http://www.naturesbasin.com Tory

    Oy. The crocheted vest. I had the same one. Gotta run now – I need to burn a few old photos!

    [Reply]

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  • http://styletips101.com/fashion/how-to-wear-jeggings.html How to Wear Jeggings

    omg haha this post made me LOL sooo bad. But yeah i know what u mean, ive seen bodysuits everywhere and i was like what the f*&$#!!!! but yeeah, i swore id never wear leggings, jeggings, skinny jeans, w/e..but here I am…thinking they look cool again. I cant wait when 20 years later ill look back on my pictures and cover my eyes from the atrocity haha

    [Reply]

  • http://mommyovermadness.blogspot.com Ashley

    good god the sturrup pants and the onesie top..mine alway got un buckled and would pop out of my coloured denim jeans (i had a pair in green and red! lol)

    [Reply]

  • http://littlesproutgrowing.blogspot.com Elsie

    Um. Did you raid my closet in the 80s? I’m pretty sure I had those same high-waisted denim shorts, scrunchie and crocheted vest. I also had skinny jeans with the zipper and bow and bicycle shorts. Sad. haha – thanks for the memories!
    Elsie´s last [type] ..Find the Perfect Gift @ Overstockcom – Dinnerware!

    [Reply]

  • Darby

    You are absolutely hilarious. I have been following your blog for the past few months and have not commented until now. This entry is seriously hilarious. I remember the days when everyone wore spandez shorts underneath colorful plastic shorts. How did we think that looked good? Keep writing, you are ridiculously funny!

    [Reply]

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