Make a style statement in bossini’s ankle-length leggings in vibrant hues

They have stood the test of time and are being reinvented each season, going from trendy to uber cool. Call them leggings, jeggings or skinny pants, but they are sure to hit your wardrobe sooner rather than later (if they haven’t already, that is). This GenNext stretch legwear is not just about flaunting those shapely shanks but is one that’s versatile and comfortable to boot.

Take your pick from leggings and jeggings in solid, bright hues or make a statement with printed ones. So, what’s making skinny legwear click this season? Well, not only is it extremely easy to slip into, but it’s one garment that looks good on any woman, promise designers.

Abraham & Thakore’s creations are detailed with narrow piping in contrasting colours at the hem

Says designer David Abraham of the label Abraham & Thakore (A&T): “Leggings are a modern and comfortable version of churidars and work well with kurtas, tunics and dresses.”

If leggings come in finer, knit fabrics like Lycra, jeggings on the other hand, are look-alikes of denim jeans in thicker, woven fabrics. And it doesn’t end there. Today, you can slip into the latest skinny to hit the market — treggings, which are a cool cross between leggings and track pants.

A&T’s latest line offers leggings in neutral shades with a narrow piping in contrasting colours at the hem. Prices start at Rs 2,100. But Abraham has a word of caution for the curvy lot. He recommends teaming leggings with longer tunics and tops for the well-endowed, whereas the slim-and-trim can carry them off with shorter tops too.

Designer Nida Mahmood stresses on having well-toned legs to sport this trend. “It’s ideal for medium body-types as leggings outline the legs as they are,” says Mahmood. Her new collection offers Lycra leggings in solid hues like orange, bright indigo, fuchsia and smoked yellow with prices ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000.

Digital feather prints add a dash of drama to Sanchita Ajjampur slim-fit pants

You could pair these leggings with oversized boyfriend shirts or free-size long tops and complete the look with solid-coloured pumps and elastic clasp belts. Accessorise with hair bands and multicoloured plastic hoops and get set to step out in style.

Sanchita Ajjampur recommends teaming slim-fit trousers and leggings with long breezy kaftans or even with slim-fitting tops. “Apart from leggings, I’ve also designed a range of soft, supple, basic slim-fit lounge pants. These come in light-weight muslin, jersey, stretch and satin georgettes with gathered and paper bag waists (pleats stitched in opposite directions to resemble folds in paper bags) and hems,” says Ajjampur.

She’s chosen a palette of saturated, tropical popsicle colours like watermelon, cherry, grape, lime and pineapple for her slim-fit pants whereas the leggings come in snow ivory, honey brown and moss green. Prices start at Rs 3,000. While Ajjampur’s embellished her leggings with silver-grey and iridescent blue embroidery, her slim-fit pants come with florals and over-sized paisleys.

The paisley print has been given a modern makeover in Anupama Dayal’s latest line

Paisleys also feature prominently in the leggings and jeggings by designer Anupama Dayal and cost from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000. Dayal has also gone heavy on elephant motifs and stripes in her latest Surat and Spice collection.

Dayal says that her prints and patterns look great when worn with loose tunics in sheer fabrics. The designer has picked stretch cottons for jeggings while her line of leggings come in jersey fabrics.

And that’s not all. Clothing brands too are cashing in on this hot new trend. For instance, you could go for chic bossini ankle-length leggings in a riot of colours including blue, olive, purple and red. Made of cotton and viscose Lycra, these are priced at Rs 699.

Jeggings lovers have a huge choice of hues at UK’s leading retailer, Marks & Spencer. Take your pick from the purples, oranges, blues and browns for jeggings priced upwards of Rs 2,499. You coud even try out a pair of treggings for Rs 2,995 in spandex mixed with cotton.

Jeans giant Levi’s too is keeping pace with its latest Curve ID series of ankle-length coloured skinny bottoms in several shades. So, you could spruce up your wardrobe with a pair in tomato puree red or go for a bright navy blue. Prices start at Rs 2,499.

So, give yourself a cool makeover and get set to sizzle in svelte legwear this summer.