Cowboy boots are the hottest accessory this year. To style them, pair with black tights, a mini dress, and a grey blazer for a chic look!
With a Turtleneck Dress
I love turtleneck dresses for fall and winter! Keep your outfit simple by pairing black tights with a turtleneck dress and adding silver accessories for a stylish touch.
With Some Patterns
PSA: Your tights don’t have to be plain! Spice up your outfit by opting for floral-patterned tights for a fun twist!
With Your Summer Slip Dress
You can wear your summer dresses in winter by adding extra layers! Try black tights with a white slip dress and a warm leather jacket for a cozy look.
With a Floral Dress
Florals aren’t just for spring! Style your black tights with a floral dress and boots for a perfect cold-weather outfit.
With Some Loafers
Pair a mini dress and black tights with cute loafers. For bonus points, add adorable socks with bows for an extra touch!
The fall season started mild, but cooler temperatures are coming soon. Be ready for the weather shift! How can you prepare for those unpredictable changes? One word: tights!
I wasn’t always a fan of tights, especially after wearing them with school uniforms as a kid. That resentment stuck with me for a while! But over the years, my appreciation for tights has grown. They’re such a versatile piece that offers so much style flexibility in the colder months. Black tights, especially, are a neutral go-to that can be paired with almost anything. Whether opaque, sheer, fishnet, or patterned, black tights are a must-have for any wardrobe!
If you’ve got dresses in your closet you want to wear this fall and winter, let me show you how to style them with black tights. Below, you’ll find inspiration pictures and shoppable links to try these looks yourself! We’ll explore outfits with black tights, paired with different shoes, jackets, and fun accessories. Get ready to rock those fall dresses in style!
With a Blazer
Style sheer black tights with a white button-up dress, kitten heels, and an oversized blazer for a chic and sophisticated look. It’s a perfect combo for a polished fall outfit!
With a Bomber Jacket
Stay warm this winter by pairing black tights with a mini dress, a bomber jacket, and stylish black booties. It’s a cozy yet trendy look for colder days!
With an Undershirt
Layer a black and white striped shirt under a sleeveless black dress for a stylish look. Finish it off with black tights and ankle boots for a chic and easy outfit!
With a Sweater Dress
Bella Hadid always delivers cute outfit inspiration. She rocked a cozy sweater dress with black tights and knee-high combat boots—an effortlessly stylish look that’s easy to recreate!
With a Fitted Blazer Dress
A sleek pair of black tights pairs perfectly with a fitted blazer dress. Complete the outfit with comfortable heels for a polished, stylish look!
With a Denim Dress
A denim dress is a perfect choice for fall and winter. Pair it with opaque black tights and a thick belt for a trendy, seasonal look!
With a Tiered Mini Dress
For a night out, wear black tights with a tiered mini dress, sling-back heels, and a chic little black bag. It’s a stylish ensemble that’s sure to turn heads!
Sabrina Elba embodies a polished, minimal style that many aspire to recreate. If you follow her on Instagram, you’ve likely seen her almost-daily outfit posts that showcase this trend-led aesthetic.
Her wardrobe features luxurious oversized tailoring, stylish basics, and stunning evening dresses. Plus, her accessory game is on point. Think coveted designer bags and sparkling jewelry that shines like a disco ball. No matter the occasion, she always nails her look.
What’s the secret to her sartorial success? She embraces risks. For instance, in her latest social media post, she shared photos and a video showcasing a daring see-through Saint Laurent mini dress, elevating the trend of naked dressing.
The dress is part of the Saint Laurent womenswear autumn/winter 2024 collection, featuring several see-through designs. Made from nude-colored, completely transparent fabric, it resembles a pair of tights. This effect is heightened by the folded-over band neckline and the exposed seam down the center, both echoing the waistband of tights.
Sabrina went braless in the daring dress but paired it with nude high-waisted knickers. To complete her look, she added tights, a thin black leather waist belt, and maroon peep-toe heels, mirroring the runway model. Instead of the skull cap and choker scarf, she embraced her curly bob and accessorized with gold interlocking hoop earrings.
A model walks the Saint Laurent AW24 runway
Sabrina’s followers loved the look, flooding the comments section with praise:
Cosy season is finally here, and Selena Gomez just gave us a stylish reminder of how chic autumn dressing can be. It’s the perfect time to update your wardrobe!
Spotted out and about in London over the weekend, the *Only Murders in the Building* star made a bold statement with her plaid prints. It’s the perfect example of how to stand out this season!
Selena swapped her signature sparkly Little Black Dress for a luxurious designer twinset by fashion favorite Schiaparelli. It’s a chic choice for a standout look this season!
Pairing the brands ‘Tartan Cardigan Jacket’ and ‘Tartan miniskirt’ together, which are both crafted from 100% Virgin wool and adorned with multiple brass bijoux buttons in a variety of signature Schiaparelli shapes.
The Rare Beauty founder styled her €9100 tartan twinset with sheer black tights, black heeled knee-high boots, and oversized gold hoop earrings. It’s arguably the chicest autumn outfit combination!
In recent weeks, Selena has delivered a series of peak-chic looks during her press tour for her latest film, *Emilia Pérez*. A few days ago, she wowed in a skintight velvet gown by Schiaparelli, and just before that, she stunned in a strappy black Vera Wang dress at the New York Film Festival. She’s been on a style roll!
Selena’s skintight velvet gownAnd her black Vera Wang
It’s no surprise that Rihanna is one of the biggest fashion icons of our time
The musician and mogul has inspired an entire generation with her bold, ever-evolving style. From her cherry red hair in the Loud era to her unforgettable Pope-inspired look at the 2018 Met Gala, Rihanna’s iconic fashion moments are unmatched.
Rihanna in 2018 Met Gala
One thing is clear: Rihanna’s reign of glamour isn’t ending anytime soon! Since 2005, she has been styled by Jahleel Weaver, and together, they’ve consistently pushed the boundaries of fashion, taking her style to new heights year after year.
Jahleel Weaver and Rihanna
Lately, we’ve been treated to countless iconic Rihanna style moments. From off-duty looks featuring the biggest thigh-high boots to a stunning, buttery yellow calf hair bustier dress by Alexander McQueen that flawlessly matched her hair, her fashion game is always on point.
Rihanna continues to solidify her status as the ultimate fashion star of our time. Over the weekend, she made a stunning appearance at a Savage X Fenty event at Nordstrom Century City in Los Angeles, wearing a see-through camo print bustier—styled as a dress—from her surprise collaboration with Diesel.
Rihanna completed the look with matching camo print tights, an oversized multicolored furry coat by Fendi, and YSL mules adorned with Swarovski crystals.
Let’s be honest: no one truly loves knee-high socks. They’re uncomfortable, leave marks on the skin, and frankly, they’re unattractive. Especially the nude ones in that yellowish beige color. They remind us of something outdated, like an elderly lady’s wardrobe. Think of Queen Elizabeth on a bad day at Balmoral or Nanny McPhee, but even more neglected. It’s definitely not the look anyone wants to see in the mirror. But recently, that has changed. Designers and brands are now pushing the idea that even those old nylon knee-highs, the ones we used to hide under boots and pants, can be stylish. They’re trying to convince us they have their own beauty and coolness.
Fashion has the power to change how we see beauty or coolness. Think about it. When a designer adds something we once thought was ugly or uncomfortable to their collection, they can make us change our minds. Suddenly, we see that item in a new way. A thought pops up: maybe it wasn’t that bad after all. In fact, it might even look interesting or beautiful just because it’s trendy. This happened with Birkenstocks, low-rise skinny jeans, Capri pants, white socks with sandals, flip-flops with heels, and velour tracksuits. Many brands get credit—or blame—for this shift, but Prada is the true master of turning unpleasant pieces into style statements.
No one has expressed this idea better than Miuccia Prada, who made “Ugly Chic” one of her trademarks. Thanks to her, ugliness has become attractive, and embracing the unconventional or embarrassing is now common. In fact, the “Cringe Chic” aesthetic has quietly taken over our wardrobes. For Prada, ugliness is a tool for self-expression and social commentary. But for most of us, it’s simply a trend we follow. So, if by 2024, our drawers are filled with sheer nylon knee-highs, especially in nude shades, we can blame Ms. Miuccia. She featured this style in many of her collections—remember SS19?
The sheer nylon sock, reaching just below the knee and held by an elastic band, has become the star of the season. This once unsexy item is making a comeback, almost mocking us from the catwalks. For FW24, designers like Acne Studios, Shiatzy Chen, Weinsanto, Casablanca, and Cecilie Bahnsen showcased them in classic black, white, and nude versions. Emilia Wickstead paired them with oversized sweaters, embroidered skirts with 3D flowers, and loafers. Tommy Hilfiger gave them a preppy twist with mini skirts, polo shirts, turtlenecks, and blazers. Even in the SS25 collections, these ugly socks remain a focal point. They’ve been reworked in silk, lace, and decorated with floral appliqués, net textures, embroidery, and bold colors. They channel the coquette aesthetic at Yuhan Wang, Vivetta, and Simone Rocha. They take on a sporty vibe at Melitta Baumeister and a playful touch at Natasha Zinko. At Kent & Curwen, they return to the preppy style.
Yuhan Wang SS25Vivetta SS25
Simone Rocha SS25Melitta Baumeister SS25
Kent & Curwen SS25
Bella Hadid loves knee-highs. She pairs them with capri pants, skirt suits, shorts, or mini skirts, often with sneakers or loafers. Kristen Stewart has made them sexy, wearing them like thigh-highs. She boldly combines them with sky-high pumps, shorts, and a sports t-shirt or a maxi skirt with a jewel top. The key difference is all in the attitude. During the press tour for Joker: Folie à Deux, Lady Gaga rocked knee-high lace socks to complement outfits inspired by Courtney Love’s grunge era. Julia Fox took it even further, embracing the granny look with nude compression knee-highs.
Even though we hoped to never see them again, we must surrender to fashion. Now, we have two choices: ignore them and criticize those who wear them, or set aside our preconceptions and make them part of our everyday outfits. In 2024, knee-highs are meant to be seen, not hidden under clothes or shoes. The easiest combo is pairing them with a pleated skirt, shirt, V-neck sweater, blazer, and penny loafers for a full preppy style. But that’s not the only option. Knee-highs are versatile and can be styled with more refined, romantic looks, like with ballet flats or slingbacks. The key is to choose the right model, the one that makes you feel comfortable.
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.
Alexa Chung’s first outing in tights was as early as September 10Jerry Hall wore hers with a substantial winter coatPatsy Kensit wearing tights to the Burberry spring/summer 2025 show in September
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.
Heist dark plum tights
“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.
Candy Pink Tights
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.
Lightweight fishnet tights, £10; Body sensor tights, £8 for three colours (both Marks & Spencer)
“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.
Jerry Hall teamed her tights with classic black courts to view Burberrys latest collection
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.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, 37, posed for photos of her new clothing collection in collaboration with Wardrobe NYCThe supermodel showed off her long legs in fishnet tights that form part of the new clothing range
Rosie showed the fishnet tights can be teamed up with a long coat or a short blazer dress to create a sophisticated lookRosie designed the collection with Josh Goot and Christine Centenera for the modern woman to elevate her wardrobe
Rosie revealed her hourglass figure in two different black dresses featured in her collectionRosie wore a long black dress that features a sculpted silhouette much like the other dresses and skirts in the range
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!
