How fashion people are wearing coloured tights
Image via @chloechill / instagram
Words by Lara Daly
Bright tight brigade.
Along with berets and Vibram FiveFingers, coloured tights are one of those fashion items I love seeing on other people but can’t quite commit to myself. Whenever I’ve tried wearing them out the house, I end up feeling clownish and more often than not, running to the nearest pharmacy for a pair of black 15-deniers.
But recently on a Fashion Journal shoot, the stylist produced such a joyous array of colourful stockings, I decided I had to figure out how to incorporate candy-coloured legs in my outfits. It can’t be that hard?
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After consulting some stylish industry friends (all passionate bright tight wearers), it seems the trick to pulling them off is simply confidence and clever styling. Or, as one friend puts it, embracing the “c*nty kindergartener meets Blair Waldorf vibe” and not overthinking it.
Fleur Egan, fashion stylist
Nothing elevates your outfit faster than a pop of colour on your legs. If you’re a first timer, stick to primary colours. Red looks fantastic when paired with neutrals. Pairing your tights to match your outfit is another way to bring texture and depth to your outfit – a textured pastel tight looks dreamy when paired with whites.
There’s so many good options out there at the moment, with lots of brands offering really high denier tights that literally feel like leggings and can be styled under sheer layers. My favourite brands are Wolford, Swedish Stockings and you have to check out High Heeled Jungle – the Mercury tights are my go-to currently, they come in so many great colours.
Thea Blocksidge, fashion stylist
I have tights in all the colours and wear them on rotation through winter. Sometimes I’ll colour-code the whole look or use them as a pop of colour with neutrals, or I’ll contrast with another bright colour like an all-red outfit together with purple tights.
I like to style them with ballet flats or loafers, but any shoe will do, I even love wearing them with sneakers! Recently I styled some dusty blues with my favourite Marsh white T-shirt, bloomers I made, a black leather jacket and black leather ballet flats. I get them all from Dal 1992, they last way longer than other tights and when they’re worn out, I can send them back to be recycled.
Marissa Lepps, digital creator
I love wearing coloured tights to work because they’re such an easy way to add some fun to my outfits without being too much. Work clothes can sometimes feel a bit plain but tights instantly change the vibe — they give a pop of colour and personality while still looking professional. It’s also such an easy way to change up a look, wear the same outfit but switch up the tights, and suddenly the whole outfit feels fresh again!
Candy Brat, digital creator
I love being covered in colour and I don’t always love showing a lot of skin, so coloured tights are the perfect solution for my needs. They fill a space in an outfit that would otherwise be bare (and boring in my opinion). Here I’ve paired tights with transparent Melissa shoes so you can still see the colour through the shoe. I usually find my coloured tights at two-dollar shops and sometimes eBay.
Chloe Hill, fashion stylist and photographer
I pretty much always wear coloured tights with a mini or sheer skirt and a big jumper, I love the contrast of soft, cosy knitwear with fun, night-out vibes down below. Coloured tights are such a vibe – they need to either be the star and keep the rest of the look neutral, or go all out with head-to-toe colours – both avenues keep the look feeling deliberate instead of random.
The cutest lingerie store, Underlena, here in Aotearoa actually just started stocking Swedish Stockings, they’re the longest-lasting, best quality tights around IMO.
Anita Suster, writer and ceramicist
I’m a big fan of clashing prints and block colours, so my approach relies on whether they pull the look together. For example, if you’ve chosen a monochrome look but you wanna add a little jazz, coloured/printed tights are an easy way to insert a dash of personality.
Through sheer luck, I’ve managed to find mine thrifting (always check the stockings tub), however, my go-to for quick, affordable finds has been random dollar stores. My friends highly recommend Snag Tights (comfy and diverse sizing) and for unique, luxury hosiery, Maison Soksi is worth every cent.
Shamillar Manhika, fashion stylist
Tights don’t get nearly enough credit. I love playing with bold colours and prints because they instantly make an outfit feel intentional. I’m especially into colour blocking — turquoise shorts with red stockings, a wedge heel and a hoodie. It’s unexpected, playful, and gives the whole look that extra attitude. I got mine from a little custom shop on Sydney Road.
Allie Daisy King, social producer
There are few things I love more in this world than candy-coloured legs. I think that coloured tights are the ultimate fashion statement. I got these red ones from a now-closed tights shop on the corner of Glenferrie and Dandenong Road, and they’ve got me through three winters.
My best advice for people wanting to get into styling coloured tights is to take inspiration from Blair Waldorf, Zendaya for Vogue Australia in 2020, and 2010s Kate Spade. They’ve all mastered the art of coloured tights and I’d be a fool to take advice or inspiration from anyone else.
Sabrina Raso, fashion stylist
Chaos dressing is a favoured category, so I think coloured or patterned tights joyfully align with me. I also think they’re one of the most fun items to shop for – it’s always the unexpected and small markets on the side of the road when you’re travelling that are selling them for a few dollars each. Most fondly, I found five pairs for 10 euros in a small beachside town of Puglia, sitting beside the Lupini beans.
Rachel Johnston, digital creator
It’s pretty rare you’ll catch me in an all-black outfit, so I’ve been adding colour with tights. I’ll throw them on with a mini dress or let them peek out above my jeans for a bit of fun. They’re cute and keep me warm in the cooler months – these pink ones from Leggy are my fave right now.
Kirsty Barros, fashion stylist
Coloured tights are my secret weapon! The easiest way to sneak a juicy pop of colour into an otherwise grayscale outfit. Think pop-tights of the 2000s like electric pinks, neons, zesty oranges. For me they’re function and fashion – warming my legs while turning up the vibrational colour dial. They’re basically wearable highlighters for your body and nothing transforms plain black shorts or my fave slouchy Wah Wah knit faster than a pair of sherbet-hued legs.
For more on styling tights, try this.
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