If I were to judge a trend that’s traveled the chic spectrum, by the women I see wearing a top and leggings on my job in Koreatown, I’d say it’s more a matter of comfort than innovation.

You could even look at it as a class division, where those who’re on the lower end of the economic scale view it as an inexpensive way to dress while those on the upper end view it as pricey athleisure. Unfortunately, nothing shows the economic separation more than its interpretation.

Disney By Junk Food Collab with Target

Target, that great mecca of budgetary gear, has updated the tunic dress legging style again, with another collab that will probably go down in retail history, especially for shoppers who remember their collaborations with Lilly Pulitzer and Marimekko. This time it was with Disney, and what makes this pairing so fun is the collection has a slightly retro 1960s-1970s vibe that can be updated for 2018. In other words, what would’ve worked as a mini back in 1965, can work equally well today with a pair of leggings.

Once coordinated with either solids or prints, the ensemble can then be topped with a structured blazer, soft sweater or denim jacket and worn either to work (on Casual Day), or out and about on dates, errands, and trips, without being too casual. In fashion, one of the most popular and iconic prints is stripes, which you’ll see worn by actress Jean Seberg in the 1960 Jean-Luc Goddard French New Wave film Breathless. 

When I went to Target and shopped at their Disney x Junk Food collab in the Trend Spot section the breezy mod vibe of the collection reminded me of her. Then when I saw the striped, sleeveless hooded tunic dress I thought about all the years I’d worn a navy-blue and white sailor Breton with jeans, khaki’s, black men’s trousers and shorts. Cool and youthful, with a Mickey Mouse insignia, I figured I couldn’t go wrong for $26.

Instinctively knowing I could wear the tunic dress with my solid colored black, white and navy-blue leggings when I experimented with my black floral, black-and-white polka-dotted and multicolored ones its true charm came out. With just a little courage, research about how to wear today’s trends and time I added new life to an old standby.

How to Mix and Match Leggings with a Tunic Dress

1. Look for prints and colors, in the tunic dress, that will enhance the leggings you want to match (i.e., a blue floral Marimekko x Target tunic dress with navy-blue or white leggings).
2. Choose either flat soled sneakers, like Keds, Vans or Converse to maintain the comfortable ease of the overall look.
3. Whether you choose a blazer, lightweight trench coat, denim jacket or sweater make sure the color compliments both the tunic dress and the leggings to pull it all together.
4. To add that extra spice, a colorful bandanna or silky neckerchief, floppy hat, beret or baseball cap will do it effectively.