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Tights: Not Your Mother's Pantyhose

SS Member Image By shefinds 11.16.09
Tights: Not Your Mother's Pantyhose
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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
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

"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."
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?


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  • carla4u By carla4u
    02.07.10  

    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

  • Jessica54 By Jessica54
    01.28.10  

    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 :)

  • dolly282 By dolly282
    01.28.10  

    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..

  • AmandaBusch By AmandaBusch
    01.27.10  

    Tights rock. I wear them all the time. I wear them with mini-dresses or oversized shirts. They are comfy and sexy.

  • kbrownlaw By kbrownlaw
    12.16.09  

    I love tights and wear them all the time but I am always snagging them. Any suggestions on a "snag resistant" brand of tights?

  • rinaincali By rinaincali
    12.14.09  

    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.

  • msfriendly By msfriendly
    12.10.09  

    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.

  • Matta0914 By Matta0914
    12.04.09  

    Ive been wearing them latley. I love to wear them with dresses. Their very comfy.

  • Foofie5 By Foofie5
    11.29.09  

    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!!

  • jillyvanilly By jillyvanilly
    11.27.09  

    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.

  • jgll60 By jgll60
    11.27.09  

    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.

  • rechelle1 By rechelle1
    11.26.09  

    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-

  • amalgrover By amalgrover
    11.25.09  

    I love tights, but i dont like wearing them with shoes that have an open toe

  • boysnbugs By boysnbugs
    11.24.09  

    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!

  • nicolen By nicolen
    11.23.09  

    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!

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