All of a sudden, everyone is searching for patterned tights—Google Trends has seen an increase in search interest of 4500 per cent over the past week—while this is exciting news for anyone looking for an easy way to elevate their winter outfits, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years working in fashion, it’s that not all tights trends are created equal. Some prints feel fresh, elevated and genuinely wearable… and others, well, might be best left in the archives.

So which styles are worth slipping into for winter 25/26? There are a few styles worthy of your winter rotation.

First up: argyle tights, which have made a chic comeback this season. Fashion people are leaning all the way into the wintry look, pairing them with wool skirts, cosy knits and boxy outerwear for a look that will keep you comfortable during winter’s coldest days.

Take Ariana Grande, who recently turned heads by elevating the classic crisp shirt in true argyle spirit. During a recent interview, the star opted for a plain Thom Browne shirt—a piece typically anchored by tailored trousers or a pencil skirt. Instead, she daringly wore it with nothing but sheer argyle tights underneath, offering a masterclass in how to make the pattern the undisputed focal point of an outfit. It’s proof that whether dressed up or pared down, argyle tights continue to spark stylish surprises.

Animal motifs are also prowling back onto the scene. While leopard-print tights remain a perennial favourite, cheetah and zebra versions have been cropping up across the high street and on social feeds, offering a bolder way to tap into the look.

If your style skews classic, however, you can’t go wrong with polka-dot tights. Timeless, glamorous and romantic, they’re one of the most called-upon patterns of the season.