Leggings have been worn for many centuries by both men and women. Recent times have however seen them remain fashion attire for just ladies and no longer men. Though some wear them to look fashionable, they also help protect the skin by keeping it warm. Leggings were also used to protect one form getting bitten by insects or animals like ticks. Originally, they were worn in Scotland during the 14th Century all the way to the 16th Centuries. Back then, they were designed as two separate parts for each leg. As they spread to other parts of the world, they changed in their make and their usage. Some were even made from pure leather. Leather leggings were mainly worn by men who were preparing to go out hunting or mountain climbing.
As the years advanced, leggings became a fashionable attire rather than protective clothing. Vegetable tanned leather became the most preferred material for making them; the same that is used even today. In the 19th Century, leggings became common attire put on by women and young girls. Still, they were made in pair-as two separate parts for each leg. The early 60′s-1960 is the era when they hit the stores. These were much tighter than the latter ones and also came as one. The modern leggings were attached at the top like a normal trouser. These are the times that saw them becoming more of a woman’s cloth than unisex clothing.
In the 1980′s, they became a common clothing to wear for gym sessions and other sporting games. During the 90′s, they hit the streets and were being worn with short skirts, dresses, sweaters and huge shirts. Today, they are also worn with shorts. Other than the tight fitting leggings, new designers have tried to replace the older materials with others. Skinny jeans for instance are believed to have borrowed greatly from the latter. Leggings for men got a renaissance in 2007 when they hit the fashion runway scene during the annual Fashion Week. Today, they have become an accepted way of dressing even in the corporate world as an official wear. Being made of varying colors, styles, designs, sizes and stretchable material makes them a cloth for all. However, other than being worn in the gym, today’s man is yet to put them on.