The winter of 2009 and the spring of 2010 are showing some intriguing trends in fashion. The military look, hoods and capes, leather and lace, lingerie style dresses and tops, ripped denims, and of course, over the knee and thigh high boots. And then there are printed leggings. Animal prints, futuristic designs, striped, spotted, paisley – you name it – there is a legging to suit you.

When we think of the new leggings, we think of the young and those of us who have gorgeous legs with no bumps or blemishes. Ha! While the leggings will not help hide heftiest of thighs and knobbliest of knees, those problems are mostly our propensity to magnify the importance of those shortcomings. Let’s not avoid these latest chances to make statements about our fashion sense and to attract the right kind of attention.

Some of the European imports are delightful with picasso designs, leopard prints and spiral lace. True, they are a little more pricey but definitely worth the tariff to get their design originality.

Since this year’s big look is in over-the-knee and thigh high boots, print leggings are a delightful fit with these trends. Make sure you wear them with a loose fitting top. The combination of tight leggings and a tight top is a definite no no.

When your mood is threatened by gloomy skies and freezing drizzle, the remedy is a few pairs of dazzling print leggings. Of course, you could always head to the Caribbean for a few days!