A Discussion on Men’s Leggings
I am a big fan of wearing men’s leggings. What began as running and fitness attire has evolved into a more habitual fashion style of wearing men’s leggings on a regular basis. The purpose of my blog entry today is to have a discussion (with myself) on the what and why of men’s leggings.
What Are Men’s Leggings?
This is a pretty straightforward question and as such it has a pretty straightforward answer. Men’s leggings are simply leggings designed specifically for men. There are a few fairly obvious anatomical differences between men and women that make men’s leggings a clear sub-sect of the leggings category in the clothing industry.
Generally speaking, men’s leggings have a lower rise cut than most other leggings and they have a different cut to manage the man parts we all lovingly call the bulge.
Early on in my journey into men’s leggings, I spent most of my time in the sports section of the category. There are plenty of bigger established brands that have been making men’s leggings for athletes for quite some time. These are brands like Nike, Under Armor, Adidas, etc. There is a newer category growing with the niche of men’s leggings that I’ll call the boutique brands.
Some boutique brands are more fashionable others are smaller brands with sportier leggings. These brands include Jeffrey Scott, Leorever, and Kapow. The main difference between these boutique brands and the established sporting goods brands is the variety of color and pattern options.
Most of the leggings put out by Nike for example come in black, maybe grey or blue. Black is the main color choice from the big box brands - which makes sense. Most gents wearing men’s leggings are doing so for the athletic benefit and not necessarily for the fashion statement. Also black goes with pretty much anything and it is the best color to hide the obvious pubic display that comes with the territory of wearing men’s leggings.
The boutique brands on the other hand offer a cacophony of choices. Multitudes of shades - green, red, orange, and purple. Major assortments of patterns - fish scales, honeycomb, stripes, and geometric shapes. Tons of choices in cuts and shapes - different fabrics, variety abounds. There is also of difference in quality. Whereas the bigger brands are all using higher quality fabric and construction methods most boutique brands are playing catchup in this regard.
Is There a Difference Between Men’s Leggings and Meggings?
There is a growing phrase being used among men’s leggings enthusiasts called “meggings”. On the surface, there really isn’t a difference between men’s leggings and meggings it mostly depends on who is promoting and manufacturing the men’s leggings. In my opinion, it is just a form of marketing for the newly forming cottage industry of men’s fashion leggings.
Why Would You Wear Men’s Leggings
There is a major and established reason. Athletics.
This is what first brought men’s leggings into my wardrobe. I have gravitated into running in my post-college years and running in the winter kind of necessitates men’s leggings. In the world of athletic endeavor, there are a lot of benefits and reasons to wear men’s leggings.
The compression of the material helps to keep your muscles under tension which helps to keep them warm during exercise. Not only is this a performance enhancer during activity but the compression also helps to speed recovery after vigorous exercise. The compression also makes them damn comfortable.
Leggings provide a streamlined shape to your lower half. This makes aerobic activities easier on your body as your drag is reduced. This may seem minimal but over many miles and thousands of movements this reduced drag. Men’s leggings are like a second skin and this also makes them damn comfortable.
Another effect of this second skin is its moisture-wicking benefits. Men’s leggings actively pull moisture off your skin and pass it through to the outside layer where it evaporates away. This helps to keep you dry and cool during aerobic activity but it also wicks moisture all the time. This helps to keep you dry and cool and it is damn comfortable.
Men’s Leggings Are Damn Comfortable
This is the main reason I have started wearing men’s leggings habitually. They are extremely comfortable. This comfort extends beyond athletics.
I believe this comfort is what is driving the men’s legging movement in fashion. Wearing leggings is freeing and fun. The look is sleek and modern and men’s leggings can be integrated into your daily style and streetwear. Whether you are off to the gym or out with the family the comfort of men’s leggings is pretty universal.
In addition to their comfort, men’s leggings are also super stylish. Think skinny jeans on steroids! If you have an athletic physique you can really show off all the work you’ve put in on leg day. You can dress them up with an oxford and jacket or keep it fitness yet fashionable with a graphic t-shirt or flannel. In the same way that athleisure has taken over a major part of women’s fashion men’s leggings can be pulled into modern masculinity as well.
I think there is a place for men’s leggings in any man’s closet. Whether you use them in the gym or during sport or you take them deeper into your wardrobe like me and wear them out and about from getting groceries, hanging out with family at the park or out with your spouse on date night. Men’s leggings are really versatile, aesthetic, and damn comfortable.
