Today we call them skinny jeans, leggings, tights, what have you. But narrowly cut pants are nothing new. Neither are leggings. With the advent of the new "miracle" knit fabrics in the early 60s, knit stretch and stirrup pants were all the rage with young women. Make note, though, that pants like these were strictly for casual wear and would not have been worn to work, to a meeting with a professional or to a restaurant. Many women wouldn't even wear them for shopping or to class. Today's photos are from 1963.
Above at left: Davenshire rayon/nylon stirrup pants came in 8 colors and were offered in short, medium and tall lengths. At right: Davenshire wool worsted plaid skinny pants, fully lined of course.
Tiger brand pants and coordinating blouses. Left: Black wool flannel pants (fully lined) worn with a printed acetate blouse. At right: Wool/nylon stretch pants with stirrups worn with a cotton blend blouse.
Koret of California introduced jacquard textured skinny pants in Permathal cotton knit. Supposedly, the pants were tough enough to be tackled by football players!
What did one wear with skinny pants and leggings? Flats and only flats! Shoes with heels would have been considered too "trashy". Cute flat shoes and ankle boots were called for and the style choices were plentiful. Above, 9 styles of flat shoes and booties, all by Sandler of Boston.
Three menswear style boots, all in leather. At the top, Pappagallo buckle boot. In the center, a laced bootie by Sandler of Boston. At the bottom, A loafer extended into a boot by Trampeze.
