As the weather gets colder, black leggings become an outfit staple for almost every collegiette™. Sure, leggings are warm and comfortable, but over the last few years they’ve become something else as well – boring!
This season, step away from the leggings and reach for a stylish pair of tights instead. Tights are a favorite trend of celebrities and fashion designers this season, and for good reason. Hosiery is available for every college budget, comes in a ton of colors and patterns, and can be dressed up or dressed down to work with any outfit. So whether your fashion icon is Taylor Swift or Rihanna – tights are a fun addition to every girl’s wardrobe.
This Season’s Tights Trends and How to Wear Them
Opaque black tights are timeless, flattering and add instant sophistication to any look. But although black tights are very chic, this season’s hottest trends are a little bit more fun. Instead of regarding tights as you do leggings (black, boring, basic…), think of them as a statement piece of your look. With different colors, patterns and textures to choose from, there’s no reason not to let a great pair of tights become the focal point of an outfit!
Unusual Colors
It’s pretty easy to find tights in any color you could every think of – but most of them aren’t all that practical for the daily life of a 20-something year old girl. That neon blue pair may look great on the runway, but for class? Not so much.
Don’t let those crazy colors scare you away though – there are a ton of colored options that are classy and practical. Deep jewel tones like emerald green, navy blue and dark maroon are all gorgeous hosiery hues that can be worn day and night. Sindonie Goldman, PR Manager at Wolford London, a top hosiery brand, says, “opaques are fantastic for every shape” because they give “a smooth look to the leg.”
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Goldman also loves using “bold and bright colors to instantly update an LBD.” And although it’s easiest to pair a colored pair of tights with a simple black ensemble, you can also pair them with a complementary color! Maroon tights go really well with a cream-colored skirt, and emerald green and navy complement each other gorgeously. Experiment with color mixing and matching – the options are endless.
The team at We Love Colors also noted colored tights as one of the hottest trends this season. And although they agree that bright colors look great with neutrals and prints, “the monochromatic look” is also popular this year. They suggest pairing “different shades of the same color family” together to get a really unique look. WLC’s Cara Chronis adds, “wearing colors that make you happy can change your whole mood!”
All colors are less than $12 from WeLoveColors.com
Textures and Patterns
If you aren’t quite adventurous enough to rock a pair of pink tights, you can still take advantage of the tights trend this winter. Like colored hosiery, patterned and textured tights are also a super stylish addition to any outfit.
Although some options are colored, most textured pairs come in a classic black, which really lets the pattern be the focal point. Now just to clarify, I’m not suggesting that you rock a pair of fishnet stockings to your grandparents’ holiday party, but patterned tights have come a long way from just being a go-to for every girl’s Halloween costume – they’re now sophisticated and really versatile. When picking out a pair of fishnet stockings, opt for a pair that has tiny openings (i.e., showing less skin). The smaller the weave, the more elegant they’ll look. Goldman also suggests different patterns for different heights. “With long legs, bold patterns are great, with a shorter frame try to keep them to a minimum with a small pattern in one color to elongate the silhouette.”
Another pattern that is huge this year, and that can also be tricky to pull off, is lace. Goldman suggest opting for a simple ensemble to pair with lace styles, adding “the less the better with more focus on the legs.” The girls at We Love Colors agree with pairing lace with a minimal outfit, but also pointed out that they can also make a great rock-and-roll look when worn with denim shorts.
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The easiest way to incorporate a great pair of textured tights into your wardrobe is to simply resist the urge to grab that plain old black pair when you get dressed. Wearing a sweater dress and flats to class? Forget black leggings or plain tights, a subtle pattern will instantly add flair to your everyday looks.
All styles are available online at Forever21.com and prices start at just $4 a pair!
Leggings or tights? Thick or thin?
Sure, it’s easy for me to tell every collegiette™ to push those black leggings to the back of a drawer and fully commit to tights, but I know that isn’t very realistic. There is a reason why comfy leggings have been a favorite of women for decades, and will undoubtedly continue to be for years to come. Here are some occasions when it’s completely ok to slip on those leggings instead of a great pair of tights:
- If you wouldn’t wear the outfit with bare legs. Although it seems like common sense, give yourself one last look in the mirror before walking out in tights and a too-short dress or not-quite-long-enough shirt. If your upper thighs aren’t covered, reach for a pair of leggings.
- If you work with kids or animals. No matter how careful you are it’s impossible to predict what a day with a toddler or a puppy will bring. Leggings are much more durable and aren’t as prone to rips and runs as hosiery is.
- For a day on the slopes. Are you planning on skiing or snowboarding this winter? How about sledding? If you’re going to be out in the cold weather for an extended amount of time, opt for leggings. Even the thickest pair of tights isn’t as warm as thick leggings are.
If none of the above applies, then tights are definitely an outfit must-have for day or night! As you’re shopping, you’ll notice that packages are marked either ‘Opaque’ or ‘Semi-Opaque’. In almost every instance, you should reach for the completely opaque option – they are much more modern and stylish. Semi-opaque pairs have become dated and can also be much less flattering because they don’t always flatter your skin tone. The only semi-opaque hosiery a girl may need in her closet is a skin-toned hue for formal occasions or job interviews.
Opaque tights can range from super-thick knit wool to light, thin cotton. With so many affordable options, these choices really just come down to your own preference! Some girls love the feel of warm, chunky tights – but for some, the thick fabric can feel uncomfortable. The easiest way to determine what pair will be best for an outfit is to compare styles. A silky black mini-dress will look out of place with a pair of gray knit tights. But those knit tights will look amazing with a comfy sweater dress and flat boots.
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Caring for Your Tights
So you’ve invested in a few to-die-for pairs of tights and you can’t wait to wear them as often as possible. But the only way to get the most out of those gorgeous tights is to take care of them! Hosiery is prone to runs and rips, and the thinner and more delicate the pair, the more likely a tear is to happen. Don’t throw in the towel and accept defeat just yet—with a few simple tricks you can make those tights last forever:
- Home remedies. Rather than just throwing your tights into a bureau drawer with a mess of socks and undergarments, take a second to stick each pair into a small zip-lock bag. The bags won’t take up any additional room in your drawers and they’ll protect your hosiery from tangling and wear-and-tear!
- Dress with care. One of the biggest causes of runs is our own fingernails. Chronis advises to “make sure your nails are filed and trimmed before putting on your tights so a hangnail doesn’t snag the nylon…it really does help keep your tights free of little snags.”
- Another use for hairspray. This tip is extra helpful for textured styles that are especially delicate, like those of lace or fishnet. After you have your tights on, give them a quick spray with hairspray – the spray helps to stiffen and strengthen the fabric fibers.
- Skip the washing machine. Because they are so thin, tights are easy to hand-wash in the sink and will quickly air-dry (no laundromat required). If you do use a machine, “always wash them in a hosiery wash bag” says Goldman. “If you don’t have one, put them in a pillow case before putting them in the washing machine.”
Tying it all Together
Tights are a huge trend this season and there is a style and fit for every girl’s personal style. From bright pinks and dark greens to fishnets and lace, tights are a budget-friendly way to completely change any look. Goldman believes, “it’s really worth investing in a great pair of patterned tights.” Tights “can be the focus of your look or…a great staple piece that will remain in your wardrobe for many seasons”. If you’re still skeptical, Chronis has one last tip for pulling off any pair: “Confidence! You might be thinking you’ve heard that said a thousand times but it truly is sage advice…Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.”
Sources
Sindonie Goldman, PR Manager at Wolford London
Cara Chronis, We Love Colors