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Tights: Not Your Mother's Pantyhose
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Tights: Not Your Mother's Pantyhose
Michelle Madhok
Posted November 16, 2009

Special Edition_tights

In the past few years, tights (read: not stockings) have carved out a significant space for themselves in the fashion world: it’s now very cool to wear tights with your cold-weather clothes.

In addition to the standby super-opaque black/brown/gray versions, here are three more-adventurous trends to try, and how to wear them.

Sweater-Knit Tights
These cozy, thick tights are knit from fabric, not spun from silk or nylon like mom’s sheers. Because they’re almost pants in and of themselves, we’d recommend pairing them with a mini skirt or a dress that hits above the knee; with a hem any longer, your look can get too heavy. 

Bright Tights

Don't be afraid to wear your bright tights with peep-toe shoes. The contrast is cute, and you won't have to keep up your pedicure all winter.
It’s best to keep it simple when dressing around really bright tights: A black dress and black booties look great against a pop of cobalt blue or shocking pink, but add too many colors from the mix, and you’ll detract from the tights’ statement, making the outfit look confused. We’d recommend staying with black, white, charcoal or denim on this one. Here are some of our favorite black dresses --the perfect backdrop to a vibrant pair of tights.

As a side note, don’t be afraid to wear your bright tights with peep-toe shoes. The contrast is cute, and you won’t have to keep up your pedicure all winter.

Open-Weave Tights
These are sort of like fishnets, but have more offbeat patterns, like this vertical design from SPANX. Unlike the brights described above, we’d keep these neutral – black is usually a good bet. Pair them with solid skirts or dresses, or very subtle patterns, like a black-and-navy houndstooth.

Visit SheFinds.com for our full guide to tights. Also check out our guides to skirts and dresses for some leggy inspiration.

Will you be wearing tights this season? What are you favorite looks?


SheFinds.com
 
Michelle Madhok
Michelle Madhok is the founder and CEO of White Cat Media Inc., an online media company that delivers fashionable yet functional products to busy, professional women in various life stages. through it's websites SheFinds.com and MomFinds.com. A highly regarded online shopping expert, Michelle has appeared on The Tyra Banks Show, ABC, NBC and CBS. She is a regular on Better.tv and has been featured in the Inc. Magazine and the The New York Times.
26 Comments
pjclayton57 says: November 17, 2009 11:51 AM
I have always been one to wear tights in the winter! I normally only used the basic black, brown and grey, but have more recently added some color to the mix, especially when wearing a black skirt or dress. I am more of a dress and skirt kind of gal, so the added warmth from the tights really helps out in the winter!
loli1707 says: November 17, 2009 01:19 PM
Yup ..I luv them ... I always wear crazy styles with a cute black dress & killer heels .. Cheetah ones are a must with boots
mskimt says: November 17, 2009 09:42 PM
I love tights! I prefer natural fibers and so tights are a great way to wear cotton and wool. I enjoy wearing open weave tights and layer them over top of brightly colored tights. It's fun to layer them, it creates a whole new look
teshireman says: November 18, 2009 11:09 AM
I would like to see more tights for bigger women. I can find the solid colors, but to try and find patterned ones is difficult.
bensmom09 says: November 18, 2009 11:51 PM
I love wearing tights in the winter. They're really fun. I hope this trend sticks around for a while.
jlindseyc says: November 19, 2009 04:24 PM
love tights but hate stockings! I like netural ones that have designs in the fabric and ribbed ones.
jlincon71 says: November 19, 2009 07:56 PM
I love wearinng tights now they have all kinds with different patternes on them love them!
kboburchock says: November 20, 2009 12:56 PM
I don't like tights usually I feel constricted and uncomfortable. However, I am finding the warmer ones are fun, look good and more comfortable.
johnston270 says: November 20, 2009 01:38 PM
I love tights! They are so much fun. I find that bright colors look good with knee high boots
goal130 says: November 21, 2009 09:04 PM
I have not worn tights since dance class. Anyone in their forties wear these? I would love to know since I can't stand pantyhose.
therills says: November 22, 2009 04:58 PM
I love a great pair of tights. They provide style, comfort, and extra warmth on chilly days.
nicolen says: November 23, 2009 10:56 PM
I would love to be able to pull off tights but I don't know what to wear with them. I grew up hating tights-my mom made me wear cable night tights. If I can ever find an outfit to pull it off she'll be so suprised!
boysnbugs says: November 24, 2009 06:06 PM
I had to laugh at the title...I grew up in the 80's - tights were really beginning to rock then...while I don't have a daughter, my 16 y/o niece LOVES them as much as I did when I was her age!!! I've not bought any yet...I tend to wear scrubs or jeans...may have to rethink it w/cooler weather coming on!
amalgrover says: November 25, 2009 09:39 AM
I love tights, but i dont like wearing them with shoes that have an open toe
rechelle1 says: November 26, 2009 12:25 AM
I am in my 40's and I wear tights all winter- I do wear them with my dresses and skirts that are a little shorter- it's a cute look and doesn't feel like you're exposing too much leg- tights keep you warm and look amazing- this is a great trend right now- you should jump on regardless of your age-
jgll60 says: November 27, 2009 02:57 PM
I love tights. Not only are they warmer to wear in the winter than pantyhose, they don't run. The new textured looks are great for updating a classic outfit.
nerdygirl says: November 27, 2009 05:29 PM
I absolutely love tights! I love all of the new colors and textures to choose from. Tights can really add some 'pop' to a simple outfit. I always hated pantyhose and never really thought they had any functional purpose but tights actually keep me warm and add style to my outfit.
Foofie5 says: November 29, 2009 01:38 AM
I love tights! I wear them all the time. They feel much more comfortable than pantyhose. I have some crazy ones which are fun to wear. The big thing of why I like them is they cover up all imprefections of my legs!!
Matta0914 says: December 04, 2009 12:59 AM
Ive been wearing them latley. I love to wear them with dresses. Their very comfy.
msfriendly says: December 10, 2009 10:50 AM
I think tights are such a great alternative to bare legs or regular hose. They make such great tights now for every age and every outfit.
rinaincali says: December 14, 2009 03:43 AM
I want to buy some sweater tights. I have the basic brown and black tights that I've worn before, but I'd also like to try some brighter colors.
kbrownlaw says: December 16, 2009 01:06 PM
I love tights and wear them all the time but I am always snagging them. Any suggestions on a "snag resistant" brand of tights?
AmandaBusch says: January 27, 2010 04:58 PM
Tights rock. I wear them all the time. I wear them with mini-dresses or oversized shirts. They are comfy and sexy.
dolly282 says: January 28, 2010 01:30 AM
i have always worn tights early school days-under my pants to keep legs warm,those days they were called "leg warmers",there have been so many names for "tights",but they all serve the same purpose-"keepin ya warm.--oh i also put them on when exercising.keeps certain areas tight,and we can always use added support..
Jessica54 says: January 28, 2010 10:17 PM
I LOVE my black SPANX tights. SPANX is the best line of tights that I have ever purchased....trust me i have purchased tons :) I highly recomend all SPANX types not just tights :)
ANNIETRIES says: February 07, 2010 11:35 AM
I LOVE TIGHTS- NEVER FOUND A PAIR OF SPANX TO FIT ? WHAT ABOUT THE NEW AGE GRIDLES THE ONES THAT MAKES YOU LOOK SMALLER INSTANTLY
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