MEGGINS (LEGGINGS FOR MEN)... A YAY OR A NAY?

Jerry Purfz, a South African Fashion Designer, Stylist and Blogger takes an “African Look” at a rather taboo fashion trend for men... Meggings – that’s leggings for men.

Being trendy and fashionable is fun, add that esteem boost as well it equals SEXY. But what if your guy (ladies) rock up at your high-school-reunion party spotting meggings? Yes, “Leggings” for men. Would you still introduce him as your one and only? Quite a daunting thought isn’t it? Well I have heard the worst, my girlfriend didn’t hide her feelings about this either, she vowed to immediately disown me.

While I think of this as cutting edge fashion, I am equally not compromising my stance about this trend of course, I would not be caught wearing meggings. Not even if I was promised a night out with Paris Hilton.

So how and when do you wear them? Well visibly nowhere in South Africa but only in the army, except that they prefer to call them “long johns”.

HOW: Meggings can be worn with form-fitted short trousers, or shorts that come from above the knee to the mid-thigh. No ‘short shorts’ are allowed. You cannot wear capris, culottes, or long pants with leggings. Keep the colours simple, Wear basic colors – nothing bright or gauche, and keep patterns simple and clean – this means no flowers, hearts, or horizontal stripes.

WHEN: Men wear them year-round as a fun way to practice layering, mix up everyday proportions, and stay warm. Apparently meggings have been pouring into the streets of New York, Paris, London, and Tokyo since 2007. All kinds of meggings have been popular on the men's runways for seasons. Because whatever women fall in love with, men will inevitably fall in love with some years later, like SKINNY JEANS or SHORT SHORTS, to name a few.

Interestingly enough, there are rather mixed feelings amongst men about the trend. "I’m a 23 year old metrosexual male. I personally think leggings are a wonderful concept at that! I think females need to stop whining and feeling awkward about men who want to wear leggings! Gender is nothing more than a physical construct, says Adam Kassur. Ricky Green, a homosexual contest, “as a gay man, I’d NEVER date a man wearing Meggings! It’s totally gross!”

My word is, if you are a straight guy, feeling bold enough to rock those leopard printed meggings, why not?

Jerry Purfz.