With a street-style influence and an approving nod from the fashion elite, leggings have recently become a strong fashion staple that is just as important as t-shirts or jeans. As I think back on the evolution of my personal style, it's easy to analyze the trends that have come and gone for pants. Long gone are the days where I would only wear flared jeans, when I wanted to take inspiration from what my mom wore in the '70s. I went through a phase where I would only wear simple bootcut jeans, slowly descending into an admiration for rips and tears, but at the beginning of high school I swore I would never wear skinny jeans. I absolutely hated the look of them, until I started seeing them more and more, becoming comfortable with the trend, and eventually learning to sew just so I could take in all my jeans to show off the tapered look. I've still stuck with the skinny look; however, I still craved a way to stand out, which was when I discovered leggings and never turned back. Over the last few years I have gone from owning several pairs of denim, to now maybe as little as three or four, and a drawer full of tights, leggings, nylons and stockings.

Why are leggings my favourite? I've come to a few conclusions. Comfort is one of the biggest things I love about them. They are tight but not restricting, stretchy and very versatile - but not compromising for those seeking a professional look. I would very rarely wear sweatpants out in public, although I'm not judging those who do; I understand the appeal, which is ultimately comfort. However, I think tights are just as comfortable and look more presentable. I myself am a very simply dressed person, and although it takes me little time to get ready in the morning, I still think I give off a minimalistic but overall tidy look. I owe this completely to my abundance of leggings and cardigans. They also work for my body type, which is something people don't always take into consideration when dressing; tights or skinny jeans don't work for everyone.

Leggings are great to own because they can add a lot to an outfit, or they can serve as a palette to build upon, such as when you have a great top you want to wear and don't want to dress it down with a pair of jeans or have it clash with a skirt that doesn't match. It's good to have the basics; black, grey, cream and maybe a few pairs of jeggings, but lately I've been hearing a lot of recommendations for some online stores that sell seriously cool and crazy prints with which to adorn your legs.

For high fashion inspiration, I look to the Rodarte sisters. Kate and Laura Mulleavy have had a huge impact on my love for fashion, partly due to their wicked interpretation of nylons. They've tried everything from 3D floral decals to fishnet influences, and of course, their signature torn and fragile tights made of soft wool and yarns, angora and mohair. Through the impact of their collections and those of other designers such as Alexander McQueen (see spring 2009 ready-to-wear) or Cynthia Rowley (bejewelled tights), leggings are a must-have item. However, for those looking for accessible leggings for a fraction of the price, I have some sites to check out.

One of my favourite places to shop online, especially for tights, is www.anthropologie.com. Featuring an abundance of clothes, shoes, bags, accessories and even home decor, you can find leggings and tights of all kinds. Almost all priced at $20 or less, they feature a large selection of muted coloured tights and simpler patterned pieces that can be worn with many different outfits and used in conjunction with other accessories and colour palettes. Another favourite of mine is www.blackmilkclothing.com. This is the perfect spot to hit if you are seeking bold, graphic prints that will make you stand out and illustrate your personality for everyone you see. Are you a fan of space and nature? Check out their galaxy tights or lightning leggings. Show your British pride with a pair of Union Jack tights, or let out your inner animal with tiger stripes. They have an abundance of prints that are hard to find anywhere else, which is always my favourite thing about shopping online; hardly anyone else will be able to replicate your style. The prices of Black Milk are a little more expensive, ranging from $50 to $100 but they are worth the quality.

Other than that, www.etsy.com is always good for independent retailers and unique pieces, or even EBay.ca for brand names. However you choose to reflect yourself through clothes, make sure you choose the right leggings for you and tell the world your story through your fashionable image.