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As our favorite skinny jeans get too much wear and we reminisce on our summer dresses waiting patiently in the closet, winter dresses are the solution. Complementing them perfectly are tights, keeping you warm and stylish. This winter, tights re-emerged. They’ve gone from basic black to new patterns, textures and colors.
Textured tights can include lace, fishnets, cutouts and patterned varieties, à la Blair Waldorf. These go well with simple dresses and skirts, which make loud tights the focal point of the outfit. It is important to wear textured tights with simple clothing, generally free of pattern, as your outfit will look like an eccentric mess rather than clean and sophisticated. Patterned tights work best if the holes are minimal, exposing less skin, which makes for a more pulled-together appearance. Be careful when wearing fishnets. They can be a bit flirtatious and over the top, especially for daytime wear. Flesh-colored fishnets are a more wearable solution, and can add a small, unique element to your outfit. These look best when worn with neutral clothes, free of excessive prints and patterns.
Colored tights are great this winter for women who wear a lot of dark colors, especially black. Colored tights should be kept to dark shades and jewel tones. These are the most neutral and pair nicely with most skirts and dresses. Winter clothes tend to feature a palate of grays, blacks and browns rather than bright colors and pastels found in warmer weather, so colored tights add color that would otherwise not be there. My favorite is a black dress worn with black boots and deep purple tights. Daring fashionistas can rock brighter colored tights, such as red or orange, but be sure to keep the rest of the outfit minimal to avoid looking like a clown. For women not bold enough to wear color on her legs, gray tights are a great option in lieu of standard black. They are still as mundane as black tights, yet spice up your outfit just the right amount.
Another tights trend that is gaining steam is trompe l’oeil. French for “trick the eye,” these include tights that give the illusion of a 3-D addition, such as a bow, the appearance of a garter or lace. These tights are detailed and attention-grabbing, yet still keep you warm. The trompe l’oeil trend was made popular in part by little Jenny Humphrey on Gossip Girl, known for her girly yet rough rocker style. These tights are not for the timid, as they are on the wild and sexy side. Confidence is a must to rock this trend. Trompe l’oeil styles are generally not appropriate for daytime wear, and should be kept in your sock drawer until the sun sets.
The tights trend is easy to follow. Tights are inexpensive and can be a cheap way to jazz up an outfit. Target carries a wide variety, and they are all reasonably priced. A tights mecca is TJ Maxx. TJ’s, as I lovingly call it, carries high-end brands such as Spanx, Hue and DKNY for low prices. Tights are not an item you need to spend a lot of money on, but sometimes higher-quality brands are worth it because they last longer. The Spanx varieties are a fashion savior because they have control built into them, which gives you extra confidence in form-fitting clothing. American Eagle sells swiss dot patterned tights, and J. Crew’s pointelle-stitch tights are my favorite of the season. As it’s likely to be cold for a few more months, there is plenty of time to hop on board the tights trend and make otherwise usual outfits unique and fun.
Bangor Daily News