As Canadian winters demand both warmth and style, tights emerge as a versatile and affordable solution for extending your wardrobe's life. According to certified image consultant Elizabeth Kosich, tights offer a splash of style without straining your budget, delivering on both form and function. She notes that many people fail to maximize their full potential.
Breaking the Rules of Tights
Kosich emphasizes that the first rule of wearing tights is that there are no rules. With an extensive range of colours, textures, and patterns available, she encourages fashion enthusiasts to push the limits. However, she and other stylists offer practical guidance for creating cohesive looks.
One key tip is to balance your outfit's colour palette with your tights. Kosich suggests pairing bright accent tights with neutral dresses, or opting for subdued hues that ground and balance vibrant dresses.
Stylist Stephanie Venita Stimmler explains that tights can significantly influence your outfit's vibe. Subtle patterns like textured polka dots or delicate lace can elevate a simple dress, while fishnets offer an edgier alternative.
Experimenting with Hemlines and Proportions
Tights provide the coverage needed to experiment with shorter hemlines that might otherwise feel too revealing or impractical in colder weather. Kosich explains that tights let you take liberties with micro minis or short shorts even when temperatures drop.
She recommends keeping mini skirts premium and sophisticated in materials like wool, suede, or leather. The tights should either feature a statement colour or a tone-on-tone hue that adds texture to the outfit's composition.
Stylist Cassidy Montalvo expresses enthusiasm for the trend of pairing tights with baby doll style mini dresses and ballet flats, describing it as an ode to the '60s that remains feminine and chic.
Making Tights the Main Attraction
Traditionally considered an afterthought, tights can become the focal point of an outfit. Kosich recommends using tights to create visual interest through pops of colour, texture, or both.
She suggests wearing printed tights featuring florals, python, or leopard patterns to add dimension to airy dresses. Alternatively, she advises keeping it minimalist with solid opaque tights in vibrant jewel tones paired with monochromatic skirts.
Stylist Christina Kroll, who draws inspiration from Scandinavian fashion, recommends wearing skirts that give room to show off tights. She compares statement tights to accessorizing with purses and jewelry, noting they can make an outfit.
Choosing the Right Tights for Canadian Winters
Kroll addresses a common concern among North Americans about wool tights, noting that many avoid them due to fears of itchiness. She recommends seeking out merino wool tights, a Scandinavian winter staple that feels like a second skin and can be worn under anything.
Merino wool's thinner fibers actively pull moisture away from your body, preventing sweating and overheating while providing exceptional warmth.
For those seeking neutral options, stylist Kendra Sharpe advises choosing opaque styles for nude tights to ensure the colour blends naturally with your skin tone. Certified image consultant Amrita Harbajan recommends fleece tights with flesh-coloured lining for extremely cold days.
Stimmler notes that neutral shades like black, navy, and grey remain versatile options that complement a wide colour range. Montalvo adds that neutral tights offer a more professional, tailored appearance and can elongate the legs when matched to shoe colour.
Creative Footwear Pairings
Virtually any shoe style can be successfully paired with tights, according to the experts. Kroll prefers high heels, suggesting either colourful heels with muted tights or vice versa.
She also recommends low-cut boots that provide space to show off flattering tights, creating a super chic look when combined with skirts and sweaters.
Kosich encourages unconventional juxtapositions that create balance, stating that the more unexpected the pairing, the more chic the result. She suggests combinations like sneakers with micro fishnets or combat boots with semi-sheer florals.
For those preferring classic styles, she recommends Mary Jane flats with oversized fishnets, velvet smoking slippers with back-seamed tights, or classic pumps with tone-on-tone pin dot hosiery.
Sharpe notes that while exceptions exist, closed-toe shoes generally provide the most appropriate pairing for tights.
