As a child, I hated tights. Hated them. My mom used to buy me these thick cotton stockings from Hannah Anderson that seemed to require power tools, Vaseline and a marching band to get onto my 7-year-old legs. Now, as an adult with what I’d like to think of as something resembling a fashion sense, I am a bit of a tights fiend. I love patterns, colors, thick pairs, thin pairs, barely there pairs — the whole nine yards. And they’re the best way to rock your favorite skirt or dress during these frigid months with out completely freezing your patootie off. So, without further ado, here are the five pairs you need to invest in this winter.


Spandex Seamless Floral Lace Pantyhose, from Amazon

1. The lacy. I love using lacy tights to sex-ify a turtleneck dress or a solid colored shift dress. Make sure you stick to a more traditional lace look — some lace patterns end up looking jumbled and a bit tacky.

Lurex Opaque Tights Silver, from Amazon

2. The glitzy. I’m usually more of an understated girl, but I’m all for letting you legs have a little “HEY, HEY, LOOK AT ME” time. Sparkle legwear is perfect for New Years — the one day a year you can get away with an unbridled donning of glitz. Team them with a LBD or a dress of the same metallic hue.

Berkshire Chevron Tights, $12.00 from Amazon

3. The chevron. I’ve had a pair of these tights for at least 3 years (considering there’s a few strategically placed holes, maybe it’s time to find a new pair.), and quite honestly, I could never do without them. They go with everything, and the simple pattern doesn’t clash with other prints.

Solid herringbone tights, $14.99 from J.Crew

4. The pop of color. You can never go wrong with a solid colored tight. Find subtle bright colors within the pattern of your outfit and match accordingly. Or go for a vivid intense color to contrast a more conservative design or cut.

Jones New York Women’s Cuban Backseam Sheer Tight, Black, Medium/Large, $18.00 from Amazon

 

5. The classic sheer black. Not much explanation is needed here. They’re minimalist, classic and a staple for every wardrobe. Sheerness is key here, so you don’t end up looking like Grandma Alice at 11am on a Sunday.

Above all, have fun accessorizing your limbs. Experimentation breeds discovery.

What is your favorite legwear style this season?