Are Leggings Undergarments?

I read an article yesterday about leggings. Leggings have been a trend for the past five years or so. I always thought that leggings would just naturally work themselves out of the fashion industry, but the trend seems to be growing. Leggings now come in all different colors, prints, shapes and sizes.

I own a few pairs of leggings and I love them. I am however, a little hesitant to wear them because it's been suggested that they are nothing more than undergarments. My husband hates leggings. He's of the opinion that if you leave the house with leggings on, you've left the house without your pants.

The article I read yesterday suggested that leggings are nothing more than a thick version of panty hose and should be treated as undergarments.