The Embellished Leg

Last fall was a banner year for leggings. Colors were rich and deep, textures spanned the gamut from gossamer lace to thick cable-knit wools and patterns ran from conservative argyles to trippy pop abstracts. There was a lot to be excited about.

So this must be a billboard year.

We have been inundated with leggings and the flood has only just begun. Daring (and darling) new pieces are on the way. Our faves? The super-trend stud leggings (left) and shimmering sequin jobbies (below) that take edge and sparkle to a glorious new place. Also on deck are the (faux) leather legging and a general emphasis on hardware: zips at the ankle and knee, ankle snaps (replacing the buttons of last year).

All this taps into the larger metal trend we're seeing in shoes, boots, bags and accessories. It's not quite rock-and-roll, but it's not quite not that either. Black is finally just black. Gray is its sidekick. Heavy metal hardware and deep reds accent. Is Fall is a knife fight? Picture the ersatz tumble in "Beat It." The S.E. Hinton aesthetic ... Are we dressing as the new Outsiders – hard and tough on the outside, uncertain with a heart of gold within – after being Socs for so long? The edges are harder: our collective slump away from excess during a lean year in which we've all bled a little.

Fall's message is that there's excitement even in hard times. Some of the gilt's flaked off to reveal our hard metal chic underneath. So be daring and bold and determined this Fall. Confidence is sexy, especially moxy that shimmers outrageously in legs like these.

A Leg Up

We were idly flipping through the September issues of Vogue and Harper's the other day (ok fine: we pored over them in avaricious, greedy glee, basking in the detailed glory, lost amongst the finery for well over a few hours) and we saw a look we really like: the legging. And, what's more, the legging under the high boot.


This look is a compliment to high boots and over-the-knee styles. Leggings provide a great opportunity to pop in bold color and bridge the gap between boot top and skirt bottom. The sweater dress is another winning top, especially something classically modern like Lutz & Patmos's Omi & Opi Sweater guest-designed by Kirsten Dunst: a long sweater or high-thigh dress perfect for this look.

The look is so easy and so versatile. Pair with a clean, structured top like a short-sleeved peacoat shape or short trench and A-line skirt. Let the tights' color lead down into your boots -- we're seeing such attention to detail and materials this year that the boots will end up carrying your look (literally).

With all the layering going on in long dresses, we were happy to see it extend to the shoe as well - layered leggings are a great way to add some quirk and edge to your look. Pull in some color with HUE's range of tights, find your favorite Gucci-inspired hyper-stud pump and overlay the Calvin Klein toeless knee highs for a new look.