Month: October 2024

In 2024, fashion has taken a nostalgic turn, with low-rise denim, UGGs, and ballet flats making a strong comeback in a major resurgence of 2000s trends.

While many of these trends have been warmly embraced, one more controversial style from the era is quietly slipping back into wardrobes. Those who experienced the ‘indie sleaze’ era the first time might not welcome it as eagerly.

That’s right—shorts over tights are back in vogue, bringing nostalgia for aging millennials.

This look was popular on school mufti days, featured in Tumblr posts, JustGirlyThings blogs, and worn by celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Pixie Lott, and Alexa Chung on red carpets.

However, in the past week, the iconic 2000s “shorts and tights” ensemble has officially made a comeback.

Gen Z fashion influencer and clothing brand owner Aimee Smale recently shared a TikTok from New York, showcasing her outfit: a cropped black coat, black shades, light denim mini shorts, black sheer tights, and pointed-toe heels.

Captioned “10-year-old me is screaming, tights + denim,” the post gained over half a million views but received a mixed response.

One TikToker, @kkmx_, commented, “Looks more chic than when I would wear the Topshop turn-up ones with Converse,” while another, Hannah, added, “Omg I wore this combo all the time, I love it so much. I’m going to wear it again!”

Others were less enthusiastic, including @ashleigh.j0rdan, who wrote, “I do not accept this trend coming back.”

Another user expressed their opinion, saying, “This is a trend I could never get into; something about tights under my shorts just doesn’t sit right with me.”

Aimee isn’t the only influencer rocking this trend lately. Saffron Barker, who has nearly two million Instagram followers, recently posted a series of photos wearing denim shorts and sheer tights. She styled her look with a large cream jumper, a Louis Vuitton blazer, black shades, and brown boots paired with white knee-high socks.

It was giving Kate Moss festival season circa 2008, and the comments were in full support, with @katieward_x writing: ‘Omg obsessing over this fit.’

Before you dig out your teenage gig attire to unleash it on the world again, keep in mind that this look has been slightly modified over the years.

Instead of the classic turn-up shorts of the past, it’s now all about teeny-tiny micro shorts, popularized by stars like Emily Ratajkowski and Sophie Turner after years of Dadcore-style jorts.

Instead of thick black tights or leggings, we’re now opting for sheer pairs, giving the 2000s trend a more luxurious feel while leaving behind any “awkward tween” vibes.

Recent catwalks have also given a nod to the trend, offering style inspiration. Chanel’s autumn/winter 2020 show featured monogrammed tights paired with tailored shorts and pirate boots, while Saint Laurent showcased black leather and lace with delicate, gossamer-thin hosiery, some playfully adorned with polka dots, during their spring/summer 2021 runway.

However, as we all know, just because a trend hits the runway doesn’t mean we all need to follow it. So, if you’d rather leave the shorts and tights combo in the past, no one will hold it against you.

But for those brave enough to channel their 2000s selves in the name of fashion, blast some Katy Perry and start layering up!

Normally, tights season kicks off around late October. However, this year, everything has changed.

The terrible weather—dark mornings, strong winds, and heavy rain—has caused hosiery sales in Britain to surge earlier in 2024 compared to 2023. Retailers like John Lewis and Marks & Spencer shared this with The Telegraph.

“Our customers began shopping for thicker deniers and more opaque styles as early as August, even while the weather was still mild,” says Claire Breslin, managing director at British hosiery brand Heist. The brand saw a 50% increase in September sales compared to the same time last year. “The 80 denier collection, our thickest, is outselling all other styles,” she adds.

Tights are already a common sight on commuter trains and in restaurants. Celebrities have also embraced them throughout September. Alexa Chung first wore hers on September 10, likely still sporting a summer tan from her trip to Kea, Greece. Just a few days later, Jerry Hall paired hers with a heavy winter coat. Typically, we expect a final stretch of bare legs at the start of autumn, but unfortunately, an Indian summer didn’t happen this year.

This year, tights trends are shifting. Beyond basic black, patterned fishnets and sheer 15 denier styles are popular choices for pairing with little black dresses. Even colorful tights are making a comeback. Heist’s top seller is a rich opaque “dark plum,” while on the high street, you’ll find a range of shades from steel grey at Falke to scarlet at Woolford.

“Tights are a must-have that can also add a playful twist to a winter outfit,” says Amy Jukes, hosiery buyer at John Lewis. Surprisingly, a £7 pair of candy pink tights has become a bestseller in recent weeks as customers transition their wardrobes for winter. It seems some aren’t quite ready for the heavy 80 denier black opaques just yet. This shade pairs beautifully with grey coats and tailored looks. “We’ve noticed a surge in customers wanting to experiment with their hosiery, exploring more colors and patterns,” Jukes adds.

Beyond the weather, the growing interest in playful tights may reflect a broader shift in fashion. Statement tights align with key trends for the season, such as Saint Laurent’s seductive French aesthetic and the return of mini and pencil skirts. With prices as low as £8 for a pack of three colored tights at Marks & Spencer, it’s also one of the most affordable ways to refresh your autumn look.

“Hosiery has quickly gone from zero to hero this season, becoming the must-have fashion accessory for autumn looks,” says Soozie Jenkinson, head of lingerie design at M&S. “Bold styles like oversized nets, spots, bows, and lace are trending, while sheer and semi-sheer tights offer a flattering and elegant base for shorter hemlines.”

“Red is our color of choice,” she adds. When opting for bolder styles, shoe selection is key. For instance, look to Chung’s and Hall’s classic black courts when wearing black hosiery. Black slingbacks also pair beautifully with a statement pattern that highlights your heels.

 

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has just launched her latest fashion collaboration with the luxury online store, Wardrobe NYC.

The 37-year-old supermodel posed in several designs for a photoshoot, showcasing the new collection, which includes sexy fishnet tights and form-fitting bodysuits.

The new collection also features figure-hugging dresses and skirts, giving fans the opportunity to dress like the fashion icon.

The RHW clothing line also includes more conservative pieces like a blazer dress, an overcoat, and a long skirt.

A few days ago, Kendall Jenner was spotted at Paris Fashion Week in a stylish look that’s simple to recreate. Her stylist, Dani Michelle, shared on Instagram that the supermodel chose a long-sleeved black dress from The Row, paired with bold red opaque tights.

Jenner is ahead of the trend with her bold choice in tights, sporting a color featured in the spring-summer 2025 collections unveiled last month. It’s one of the easiest and most affordable ways to embrace next season’s trends. On the runways, brands like Ester Manas and Tibi styled vibrant, opaque stockings with soft pastel dresses, creating striking contrasts with shades like butter yellow and lavender.

Red tights have been a popular choice at Versace, where Gigi Hadid walked the runway in an asymmetrical printed dress paired with sheer, darker-toned stockings. GDCS followed suit with an all-black look, while Alessandro Michele introduced red lace tights in his debut for Valentino, using them as a stylish transition between footwear and his baroque-inspired dresses.

The takeaway? It’s time to stock up on red and maroon tights. After all, Kendall Jenner has set the trend!

You just bought a new mini skirt and can’t wait to show it off, but it feels a bit too revealing for a casual fall Tuesday. While tights might seem like the go-to option, street-style icon Chloe King recommends sheer knee-high socks instead (or stockings, as my grandmother would say).

King, a luxury retail expert famous for her appearances in Fashion Week street style round-ups, has become a leading figure in the knee socks trend. She’s styled sheer hosiery with mini shorts and jackets worn as dresses. While she’s tried pairing them with masculine brogue loafers, she admits that wearing super high heels is way more fun.

“As hemlines have gotten shorter and shorter in recent seasons,”—cue the runway models and celebrities flaunting micro mini skirts, hot pants, and sometimes no pants at all—“adding knee-high socks to mini shorts or a jacket-as-dress helps balance all the exposed skin,” she says. “Plus, the sheer-to-skin gradient adds a fresh texture to the outfit and is a more surprising choice than tights.” Who would have thought nylon stockings would be trending in 2024!

Sheer knee-highs are an unexpected choice, which is exactly why they pair so well with a short, seductive hemline. “There’s something wonderfully puzzling about adding a knee sock to an outfit,” King says. “The sheer nylon brings both sex appeal and a touch of grandpa’s closet—it’s that ‘ugly cool’ that Prada nails so perfectly!” A styling move that feels so wrong, yet somehow becomes completely right.

King has perfected the art of balancing an awkward outfit with a truly great one. She has an instinct for adding the perfect finishing touch to make an outfit pop, whether it’s a quirky hat or a pair of dangly cherry earrings. Remember the brooch trend from last season’s New York Fashion Week street style? King’s oversized red rosette pin was one of the first hints that the accessory was making a comeback.

All this to say, King knows exactly how to elevate a look—and if this trendsetter suggests adding sheer knee socks to your wardrobe, it’s fashion advice you won’t want to ignore.

But King isn’t the only one using knee-skimming pantyhose as a smart styling trick. While reviewing the latest Fashion Month street style, I spotted knee-high black fishnets in New York, sheer white nylons in London, and gauzy stockings in Paris, all paired with stunning platform heels.

On the runways as well as city sidewalks, Christian Dior’s models rarely step out in a chic mini skirt or tailored pleated shorts without sheer black stockings to complete the look. The same is true for Cecilie Bahnsen, though the Danish designer prefers knee-high tights with her signature girlish puffball dresses. King also highlights Simone Rocha: “While I usually lean towards classic black sheer, the thigh-high nude hosiery at their Spring ’25 show has me rethinking new shades and proportions.”

I’m also a fan of knee-length stockings and own a pair of sheer black ones that I bought on a whim from Amazon last August for layering in the fall. Since then, I’ve discovered they pair beautifully with tailored Bermuda shorts for a fall work outfit, and a leg-slit maxi skirt is a fun way to showcase a sheer calf. When I feel drawn to darker, edgier style inspirations and want to reconnect with my Tumblr roots, I turn on “Knee Socks” by the Arctic Monkeys and slip into my own pair with lug-sole black boots.

Take it from King, myself, or a recent runway model: sheer knee socks are an unexpected trend for fall 2024 that’s definitely worth trying. They add a playful touch to any outfit and could unlock a new, more fun aspect of your personal style. Or, at the very least, they serve as a great reminder to give your grandma—a true sheer pantyhose muse—a call!

Selena Gomez is rocking her LBD era, and we absolutely love it!

Spotted out and about in yet another variation of the fashion world’s most favourable wardrobe essential, Selena proved just how versatile a wardrobe full of black mini dresses can be.

Selena Gomez chose a sleek satin tuxedo mini dress with a plunging neckline, paired with sheer tights and simple black pumps. She kept her look elegant yet understated for a night out in New York City.

Selena Gomez, the founder of Rare Beauty, straightened her long brunette hair for the evening, opting for a sleek middle part. She tucked one side behind her ear for a chic touch.

To enhance her sharp, tailored outfit, Selena Gomez went all out with her makeup. She paired a sultry smoky eye with a light peach shade on her lips for a flawless finish.

Selena Gomez wore her stunning sheer tights and tuxedo dress to accept the prestigious Ordre des Arts et des Lettres award alongside the cast of her new film, *Emilia Pérez*. This honor, established in 1957 by the French Minister of Culture, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts, literature, or the promotion of these fields.

 

When your mother is supermodel royalty, Cindy Crawford, and your father is successful businessman, Rande Gerber, being an “it-girl” is in your DNA.

For model, actress, and style icon Kaia Gerber, this couldn’t be more true.

Kaia Gerber, taking style inspiration from her iconic mother, Cindy Crawford, shared a stunning snap on her Instagram story yesterday, rocking a chic sheer outfit.

In the photo shared with her 10 million followers, the *Palm Royale* star poses in a tailored black tuxedo-style mini dress, paired with sheer tights featuring fluffy floral knee accents from renowned London-based designer Nensi Dojaka.

Kaia snapped the photo using a Y2K-inspired digital camera, a must-have accessory that no cool girl around the world leaves home without.

In recent weeks, Kaia and her stylish wardrobe have been turning heads, and fashion enthusiasts can’t get enough. Just last week, she hosted a group reading for her new book club, *Library Science*, wearing a white lace blouse from Chemena Kamali’s Autumn/Winter 2024 Chloé collection.