I Need Victoria Beckham to Explain How She Got Through TSA in These Stilettos
I have a lot of questions for Victoria Beckham. Are you going to the fashion factory or getting a facial? What's your favorite of the 15 engagement rings David gifted you? When will we get a follow-up reality show to Victoria Beckham: Coming to America? I could go on. But no question is more pressing in my mind right now than this one: How on Earth did you get through TSA wearing Balenciaga's controversial Pantaleggings?
The pants in question were worn by Beckham on a flight into New York City's JFK Airport alongside a cinched cargo-style jacket, a black clutch bag, and oversize sunglasses of her own design. Essentially, they're leggings, but instead of cutting off at the ankle, they keep going all the way around a pair of attached stiletto heels. Named the Anatomic Pantaleggings, her exact style first debuted in Balenciaga's winter 2023 collection and features an even sharper heel than past versions. Basically, they're TSA's worst nightmare, which is why I'm still left wondering how the former Spice Girls member made it past security with her outfit intact.
On Victoria Beckham: Balenciaga Anatomic Pantaleggings ($3650); Victoria Beckham Layered Mask Sunglasses ($330)
It's important to remember that we're talking about *the* Posh Spice, though. We all know that heels and a good outfit are paramount to the Beckham matriarch's happiness. We're not meant to question her sometimes daring fashion choices, even at the airport, where practicality almost always wins out over style. Clearly, she made it onto her flight and to NYC just fine. I probably wouldn't follow her lead in this exact instance, but more power to anyone who wants to try.
On the off chance that you're not ready to press copy and paste on her Balenciaga bottoms but still want to mimic the overall airport ensemble, I went ahead and added a few pairs of leggings that don't have heels attached to them for you to shop ahead of your next trip.
Shop Victoria Beckham's Pantaleggings:
Shop 14 leggings that feel a touch more TSA approved:
If you live anywhere cold, you need Plush fleece-lined leggings and tights.
Everyone in the WWW office swears by Splits59 leggings. I'm actually wearing a pair right now as I write this caption.
An Amazon reviewer called these the best leggings she's ever owned, and I believe her.
These can be worn with heels, but the difference between them and Beckham's leggings is that you can easily take them off when security says so.
With these, you get two great details: stirrups and a heavier fabric that's more aligned with trousers than standard leggings.
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
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