I like to do a lot of yoga and often find myself struck by the differences in attire for men and women. Pretty much universally, women wear leggings and men wear shorts or sweatpants. I am curious how this all came about? Leggings and tights make perfect sense to me – they stretch with your movements, and they help your muscles stay warm and flexible. Shorts and baggy sweatpants, on the other hand, can bunch-up and get in the way. I think something similar can be said of swimwear – the common expectations are that women wear something form-fitting and men something baggy.
To me none of this makes sense. I like wearing form-fitting clothes! I swim laps to keep fit, and nothing is worse than baggy swim shorts – and nothing better than a nice swim brief. I’ve liked wearing tights and leggings for a long time. Back when I was a kid I’d play dress-up and try on my mom’s tights and pantyhose. This didn’t last long as I grew older, but when I became more athletic and started cross-country skiing and running, I found I really enjoyed wearing form-fitting tights in the winter – they are great for supporting your movement and keeping your legs warm!
For women, leggings today are high fashion and no longer just for the yoga studio. I for one would like to see more legging options for men! I haven’t gotten to the point in which I will wear leggings out in public, but often wear them around the house. Like many other form-fitting clothes, that can make me feel really good about myself. I find a good quality fabric that fits snuggly makes you more aware of your body which in turn can result in more confidence and pride (and encourage you to work out a bit more!).
I won’t tell a lie, even as an adult my interest in wearing nice tights and leggings has led me to try some products made for women. The styles available to women still far exceed those readily available and acceptable for men – thigh highs, fishnets, etc. – but at the end of the day, however, this isn’t what I want. I want tights and leggings made for men, with a man’s body shape in mind. And I want leggings or tights that work well for both the gym and a night out! I want something that feels right for my body, and is practical, comfortable, useful, and sexy!
What do you all think?
21 comments
As said previously, it feels so nice as a male wearing a long sleeve back zipper leotard with opaque tights, that are soft, snug and warm during the cold winter months. It does take some time stripping off all those soft snug layers of spandex outer winter season sports clothes and lycra nylon leotard, tights and well fitting undies, when at at the doctor’s office for a complete medical exam, it does take some time to be undressed for her to give me a complete physical examination. If there are no other patients waiting to see the doctor, her lovely nurse will help get me ready. Both the female doctor and her nurse like seeing me as a guy in leotard, tights and those girl’s ballet style undies before being totally naked to be examined by the lady doctor. I do really enjoy wearing those warm snug leotards before being completely undressed at the female doctor’s office.
To add to my comment, it’s nice wearing a well fitting Speedo over blue tights and long sleeve leotard as part of a superhero costume at a Halloween costume party also.
I like wearing regular tights, like woman’s tights with a snug long sleeve leotard during the cold winter weather. They feel nice snug and warm too. It’s fun wearing blue leotard and tights at a Halloween party dressed as a superhero. The best time wearing warm, snug tights and a ballet back zipper leotard, is at for a doctor’s appointment. Both the doctor who is a female like my outfit while getting ready for a full medical examination, as seeing a male still in good shape and properly wearing them and not wearing boring men’s baggy underwear or boxer style under shorts, like always. It certainly feels so nice wearing them, especially as underwear to the doctors and when having to get all undressed for a medical exam, the female doctor and or nurse will, at times help me out those warm and snug tights with a long sleeve leotard. Wearing tights on Halloween night as a costumed superhero are fun to be in and as said earlier great to wear. You can get a lot of the ladies nice attention too.
Love the satin tights that Body Aware offers! I would like to see more colors, like RED! As for the leggings, I find that the female version of leggings fit better. Maybe because they have more Spandex? Not sure but I would try another pair of Body Aware leggings if I knew the Spandex content was up. I wear the leggings in public and appreciate any glances I get. The tights I save for home as they often do not have a pocket for my keys….
I totally agree brother!
I’m a grown man and I wear leggings all the time. If I’m being stylish, I wear a loin cloth to cover the bulge. Or I wear a bandanna or scarf around the crotch to be courteous of others in my gym or yoga class. I don’t care what anyone thinks about it. I love the way I feel in them and I’ll keep wearing them, even if it isn’t quite socially acceptable for men to do so. I’m glad I’m not the only man who thinks this way. It’s so liberating to defy gender norms and expectations