Leggings Aren't Pants, Are They?

(via Fashion Degaine)

If you ask any 6th grade girl wearing a North Face jacket & Uggs, they're going to be like, "OMG like totes leggings are pants."

But we're all adults here, or at least we do a good job of pretending we kind of are, so let's be frank: are leggings acceptable covering for your lower half if you're older than let's say, 8 years old (excluding wearing them like tights, under dresses/skirts)? I've mentioned before that I think leggings can generally be worn without issue as long as your bum is covered, but maybe we should clarify a few things.

My rules for wearing leggings are as follows. Of course, these are "more what you call guidelines than actual rules." (Although for decency's sake I think they're not unreasonable.)

• The shirt you wear must cover your bum and crotch (yes, I said it).
• The shirt's length must exceed the crotch of the leggings/your bum by at least 2-3 inches.
• You should be able to sit down without any bum-bearing wardrobe malfunctions.
• Your leggings should be opaque, not sheer. You don't want to risk see-throughs.

Would you wear leggings "as pants"? Have you made a set of leggings rules for yourself?