Even a mention of the word “tights” is enough to bring some of us out in hives. From saggy ankles and ghastly gussets to waistbands that slice you in two, tights have long been associated with irksome wardrobe complications.
Brands such as Heist and Calzedonia might have reimagined the uncomfortable three-packs of memory with breathable, seamless styles, but even the hautest hosiery can fall foul of pilling and snagging after just a few wears.
Much as we might like to ape Anna Wintour and go bare-legged all year round, we do not all have the budget for a private chauffeur to keep us insulated from wet, wind and cold. What to do, then, if you loathe tights but would rather not face six months of rotating the same few pairs of trousers? Here’s how to dress wisely for the season – without a pair of dodgy deniers in sight.
Thigh-high socks
If the idea of anything “thigh-high” feels automatically too racy for you, think again: a pair of light wool socks that end comfortably over your knee offer the warmth of tights with none of the associated perils of a drooping gusset. When I was heavily pregnant last winter and couldn’t face the idea of a waistband, I wore long, loose dresses with Falke’s merino wool socks almost daily and can attest to their superior quality.
Over-the-knee socks, £34, Falke
Supermodel leggings
If your gripe with tights is more to do with baggy ankles, luxury leggings that bypass the issue entirely should be high on your shopping list. “It’s a completely different ballgame to the athleisure trend we’ve seen before,” says stylist Alex Longmore. “The new breed of leggings nods to the supermodel power dressing of the 1990s. They’re to be seen, not hidden.”
The seamless merino wool ones from Cos come in a very Phoebe Philo-esque navy, while Soeur’s anthracite grey stirrup style is ribbed for an extra point of interest. At Commando, leggings come in velvet, faux leather, neoprene or super-soft bamboo. Team them with loafers, an oversized shirt and a blazer now, then layer under boots and dresses when the temperature really drops. “Footwear really makes a difference here,” says Brigitte Chartrand, chief buying and merchandising officer at Net-A-Porter. “Go for cosy, shearling flats from Christen at the weekends, or a sexy pump for an elevated look at night.”
Velvet leggings, £119, Commando; Stirrup leggings, £165, Soeur; Merino leggings, £75, Cos
Knitted dresses and separates
If you’re determined to wear bare legs, a knitted dress is a stylish way to do so without exposing your limbs to frostbite. Brora’s emerald green, collared number would be a hard-worker in any wardrobe; throw a cropped jacket over the top for the office, or dress it down with a suede bomber. Mango’s luxe-looking below-the-knee design is the ideal shade of chocolate brown and, at the higher end of the price spectrum, a space dye knit frock from Veronica Beard is smart enough for evenings, too.
If a dress feels like too much of a commitment, woollen skirts are everywhere this season and look cool paired with biker boots and a slouchy jumper. Try The White Company’s ankle-length version, or Jaeger’s flippy-hemmed take on the trend.
Striped midi dress, £478, Veronica Beard; Belted dress, £45.99, Mango; Merino dress, £269, Brora
Beige skirt, £145, The White Company; Wool-blend skirt, £89, Jaeger at Marks and Spencer
Long boots
For extra warmth, consider layering long boots underneath your dresses and skirts. “Thigh-high boots are a great way to avoid wearing tights,” says Chartrand. “We saw so many amazing styles on the runway – personally, I love this shearling-lined Chloé pair.”
To achieve a seamless look with no gap between your hemline and your boots, go for something longer than you’d ever think you need: the “Aveline” style from Reformation offers a slim silhouette that won’t ruin the line of your outfit. If you prefer a heel, try Carvela’s over-the-knee style which comes in three different shades of suede, or the “Clara” boots from Scarlett Chase are well worth the investment. They boast a removable, orthotic-grade insole and a hidden platform outsole for genuine, all-day comfort.
Meanwhile, Sienna Miller recently made the case for showing a slither of skin between your skirt and your long boots – hers were Dune’s “Toova” style which come in black and brown.
Leather knee-high boots, £189, Dune; Over-the-knee heeled boots, £249, Carvela; Stretch boots, £877, Scarlett Chase; Over-the-knee flat boots, £628, Reformation
A dress over trousers
The Nineties’ favourite styling trick of teaming a dress with trousers is back, but with an understated twist. “Subtlety is key to this look – you want elegance, rather than to make a statement,” advises Longmore, who suggests a shirt dress in a soft fabric over black cigarette pants. Cinch with a belt, as “drawing attention from the trousers to the waist helps to marry the outfit together”. Boden’s forest-green, silky shirt dress thrown over Skims’ foldover pants would make an ideal pairing, as would Jigsaw’s bold red button-through and Mint Velvet’s elegant leopard straight-legs.
Shirt dress, £139, Boden; Foldover pants, £72, Skims
Many brands have done the hard work for you by designing trousers with integrated skirts, which makes styling them “much easier”, says Chartrand – try Dries Van Noten’s floral jacquard version with a plain, rust-coloured jumper from Massimo Dutti.
Oversize wool sweater, £120, Massimo Dutti; Floral-jacquard trousers with skirt overlay, £750, Dries Van Noten at Net-A-Porter
Red dress, £159, Jigsaw, PLUS leopard trousers, £130, Mint Velvet