The winter 2009 trend for belting everything from baggy tops to dresses to cardigans means that leggings are the perfect accessory, no matter what a woman’s age.

I have always considered leggings to be out of bounds if you are not in your teens and ‘20s any longer. They look absolutely great on my 16 year old daughter with her long legs.  However, the more research I do the more I am finding that attitudes are changing. These days leggings can be and are being worn by anyone over 30, 40, or even 50 providing they suit your body shape.

The secret to making them look good is to accessorize well and never wear them above the bulge of the calf. Always make sure they are ankle length. Bear in mind fabric, colour and patterns too. High-fashion leggings like neon’s and dramatic patterns are best left well alone. I also think it is probably best to leave wet and metallic silver/grey looks to the likes of my daughter and her friends who haven’t got a clue what it was like the first time round.  

Originally designed by the American designer  Liza Bruce, this season sees fashion shows over run with leggings in every single feasible colour and pattern from leather to lycra. The biggest look for this season being the leather look with high leg boots.

My daughters favourite pair at the moment are her jeggings, she lives in them.  But the metallic look leggings are making a huge 80’s style comeback.  There is also the ‘treggings’, (I can hear you all saying “WHAT”)  apparently a cross between jeans, trousers and leggings, which may be a good place to start for those who are not sure.

Personally,  I think I might try a plain black pair (I always play it safe) and see how it goes!