For those lucky enough to be the right side of 22, or who have the calves and thighs to carry them off, that most stalwart of fashion furniture – leggings – have transformed themselves this season from humble black into funky leopard prints, PVC and plaid, and gold and silver lamé.
Novelty leggings are not for the faint hearted (nor the full-in-figure when it comes to big hips or thighs). Once upon a time a more discreet fashion item to be worn under dresses or skirts, leggings have now taken over an additional (and more fashionable) role as trousers. This fall and winter they are to be worn with very high heels, this season's popular long cardigans or sweaters, and a sense of adventure!
According to a media report, novelty leggings are proving a hit either side of the pond. Matt PVC leggings by Sass & Bide (as won by Mary Kate Olsen and Mischa Barton) sold out as soon as they hit the shops. High shine versions by London label Les Chiffoniers were snapped up by Victoria Beckham and singer Rihanna.
If leggings seem too unforgiving for some, then another trend for hot legs this cold winter is uber-patterned and highly-colored tights. The opaque tights of last year have been taken to a whole new level. Interesting patterns and jewel-tone colors decorate legs of all ages, shapes and sizes. Wear them with chunky platforms, peep-toe pumps of this season’s sexy boots.
Choose from stripes or snowflakes, plaid or polka dots. Go wild with leopard prints and python or sparkle with lamé. Dress up a little black party dress with a pair of lacey legs or go country girl with wintry plaid. Pep-up a business suit with some pinstripe tights, some subtle stars or textured wintry foliage. Horizontal stripes are one of the biggest sellers, benefiting from a recent scientific study that revealed (contrary to popular belief) horizontal stripes do not make women look bigger.
Leggings are also set for the designer treatment for oncoming seasons. On the Spring 2019 runways designers went print mad, with bold stripes, graphic patterns, and painterly florals all making appearances. We are seeing leggings elevated to another level; not only for casual wear.
In these times of economic crisis, it is encouraging to know that one of the easiest and cheapest ways to be right on-trend it to simply invest in some colorful hosiery or a pair of leggings. A website report refers to this season's funky legwear as “fall’s shockingly affordable accoutrement.”
There is something for every style-sensibility from a safe solid-color block in berry tones to a more daring statement print. Update a simple dress or winter coat with some fun and funky tights or jewel-toned hosiery. With labels such as Anna Sui, Dolce and Gabbana, Chanel, Gucci and Miss Sixty giving a nod to the legwear trend on the fall fashion runways, this look has certainly found some "legs" in more ways than one!
Stockings have been a staple of women’s fashion for a long time, from when they had to be held up with garter belts, to the invention of pantyhose. It’s a common fashion fact that due to a shortage of stockings during World War II, women drew a thin line down the back of each leg to mimic the seam of a stocking. Though stockings aren’t a necessity the way they used to be, they still have the power to enhance any outfit.
For fall and winter, stockings (or tights) are an ideal accessory. In cold weather, they also help keep legs warm, but lightweight stockings can also be worn in more moderate weather.
While plain black or gray tights may be most appropriate for an office or formal setting, patterned tights have been shown in numerous recent fashion magazines and catalogs. Patterns range from the subtle (tone-on-tone) to outright funky (bright colors, stripes, polka dots). This is a way to embellish an otherwise neutral outfit. It’s easy, for example, to jazz up a black dress and boots with purple (hot color for fall) or other bright tights.
By no means new, but also by no means out of style, fishnets always have a place in a woman’s wardrobe. No longer only available in black, fishnets can be found in almost any color (baby pink was recently seen.) These are more for the look than an actual guard against cold weather.
Thights are tights that may women find more comfortable, because they do not have a waistband. Thights are more like extra-long socks made of stocking material. There are various lengths that can be found -- some thights cover almost the entire thigh, looking like regular stockings under a dress or skirt. But there are also lower thights that leave a small gap between the hem of a dress and the top of the thight -- a recent magazine ad for Max & Co. features a woman wearing a dress and thights, with a gap of skin in between.
These may be considered the opposite of thights. They have a waistband, but they end at the ankle (no feet attached). Ankle tights have the same look as leggings, which can also be worn under dresses or skirts.
Stockings can be found in catalogs and online, but for the best results, browsing a department store ensures one can see the fabric, size and style up close.
Novelty Leggings for Fall 2019
Novelty leggings are not for the faint hearted (nor the full-in-figure when it comes to big hips or thighs). Once upon a time a more discreet fashion item to be worn under dresses or skirts, leggings have now taken over an additional (and more fashionable) role as trousers. This fall and winter they are to be worn with very high heels, this season's popular long cardigans or sweaters, and a sense of adventure!
According to a media report, novelty leggings are proving a hit either side of the pond. Matt PVC leggings by Sass & Bide (as won by Mary Kate Olsen and Mischa Barton) sold out as soon as they hit the shops. High shine versions by London label Les Chiffoniers were snapped up by Victoria Beckham and singer Rihanna.
Tights Trends For Winter
If leggings seem too unforgiving for some, then another trend for hot legs this cold winter is uber-patterned and highly-colored tights. The opaque tights of last year have been taken to a whole new level. Interesting patterns and jewel-tone colors decorate legs of all ages, shapes and sizes. Wear them with chunky platforms, peep-toe pumps of this season’s sexy boots.
Choose from stripes or snowflakes, plaid or polka dots. Go wild with leopard prints and python or sparkle with lamé. Dress up a little black party dress with a pair of lacey legs or go country girl with wintry plaid. Pep-up a business suit with some pinstripe tights, some subtle stars or textured wintry foliage. Horizontal stripes are one of the biggest sellers, benefiting from a recent scientific study that revealed (contrary to popular belief) horizontal stripes do not make women look bigger.
Spring 2019 Leggings
Leggings are also set for the designer treatment for oncoming seasons. On the Spring 2019 runways designers went print mad, with bold stripes, graphic patterns, and painterly florals all making appearances. We are seeing leggings elevated to another level; not only for casual wear.
Cheap and Easy Fashion This Fall
In these times of economic crisis, it is encouraging to know that one of the easiest and cheapest ways to be right on-trend it to simply invest in some colorful hosiery or a pair of leggings. A website report refers to this season's funky legwear as “fall’s shockingly affordable accoutrement.”
There is something for every style-sensibility from a safe solid-color block in berry tones to a more daring statement print. Update a simple dress or winter coat with some fun and funky tights or jewel-toned hosiery. With labels such as Anna Sui, Dolce and Gabbana, Chanel, Gucci and Miss Sixty giving a nod to the legwear trend on the fall fashion runways, this look has certainly found some "legs" in more ways than one!
Stockings Are Stylish Fall and Winter Accessory
Stockings have been a staple of women’s fashion for a long time, from when they had to be held up with garter belts, to the invention of pantyhose. It’s a common fashion fact that due to a shortage of stockings during World War II, women drew a thin line down the back of each leg to mimic the seam of a stocking. Though stockings aren’t a necessity the way they used to be, they still have the power to enhance any outfit.
For fall and winter, stockings (or tights) are an ideal accessory. In cold weather, they also help keep legs warm, but lightweight stockings can also be worn in more moderate weather.
Patterned Tights
While plain black or gray tights may be most appropriate for an office or formal setting, patterned tights have been shown in numerous recent fashion magazines and catalogs. Patterns range from the subtle (tone-on-tone) to outright funky (bright colors, stripes, polka dots). This is a way to embellish an otherwise neutral outfit. It’s easy, for example, to jazz up a black dress and boots with purple (hot color for fall) or other bright tights.
Fishnet Stockings
By no means new, but also by no means out of style, fishnets always have a place in a woman’s wardrobe. No longer only available in black, fishnets can be found in almost any color (baby pink was recently seen.) These are more for the look than an actual guard against cold weather.
“Thights”
Thights are tights that may women find more comfortable, because they do not have a waistband. Thights are more like extra-long socks made of stocking material. There are various lengths that can be found -- some thights cover almost the entire thigh, looking like regular stockings under a dress or skirt. But there are also lower thights that leave a small gap between the hem of a dress and the top of the thight -- a recent magazine ad for Max & Co. features a woman wearing a dress and thights, with a gap of skin in between.
Ankle Tights
These may be considered the opposite of thights. They have a waistband, but they end at the ankle (no feet attached). Ankle tights have the same look as leggings, which can also be worn under dresses or skirts.
Where to Buy
Stockings can be found in catalogs and online, but for the best results, browsing a department store ensures one can see the fabric, size and style up close.
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