Accessory Report: Patterned Tights

If describing our relationship with hosiery, one could say that we've been going steady with opaque tights for quite some time now. Always dependable, they allow us to wear our favorite minis when the temperatures drop and ground our more outrageous ensembles. But no matter how happy we are with these outfit accents, recently we've been compelled to flirt with another option. Allow us to introduce you to our latest legwear crush: patterned tights. Semi-sheer and eighties-inspired, these wispy stockings are turning up on lovely legs around the world. We adore the way they perk up an all-black outfit, and it seems like we're not the only ones who are smitten with this style. On-the-cusp ladies like Leigh Lezark and Agyness Deyn have fallen for this cute new accessory too and we have all the details about their patterned preferences!



Though we've had our eye on similarly sheer stockings for quite some time, we must credit the many runway shows that pushed the latest embellished styles into the spotlight. At Balenciaga, we swooned for the silky polka-dot Gerbe Plumetis Spotty Tights ($30) worn with pieces like the Wrap Front Printed Skirt ($1080) and Draped Dress ($1775). Meanwhile, the semi-translucent houndstooth Fogal Pepitone Hosiery ($44) used at Moschino is majorly stylish and the perfect mix of classic and current.

Off the runway, we've spotted gossamer gams galore, even back in mid-summer! Leigh Lezark started sporting today's spotlighted accessory in July, when she wore a Tim Burtonesque pair of striped sheer stockings under her little black dress for the Cinema Society's presentation of 500 Days of Summer. You can approximate her look with Spanx's Tight-End Tights ($28) in Picket, but you'll have to add your own distressed touches to get the full Lezark look.

In addition to the aforementioned traditional stripes, checks, and dots, we've also noticed a few fancy prints are making the rounds. Last month's GOTM Jameela Jamil and Peaches Geldof both pulled on heart-print hosiery recently: Jamil wore her pair first, for a private viewing of David Bailey's "Alive at Night" in London, while Geldof was spotted in the same style just a few days later. Interestingly enough, both ladies selected Topshop's All Over Heart Tights ($16) as the on-trend accessory to very different outfits. Jamil used them to bring some texture to her all-noir outfit; we like the way she mixed a very brief pair of Topshop shorts (the High Waist Flannel Shorts ($55) are quite similar) with a long-sleeve Marks & Spencer turtleneck and an aggressive pair of shoe-boots. (Sadly, Jamil's exact Topshop booties are sold out, but their Aggie Metal Insert Heel Boots ($160) have a similar platform and silhouette.) Geldof worked the girly tights into a more colorful outfit, comprised of a Topshop dress and lace-up boots, worn with a vintage plaid shirt. The result is a little more grunge than Jamil's sleek style, but very cute nevertheless.

Our final example comes courtesy of the perpetually directional Agyness Deyn, who recently wore our favorite pair of patterned tights to a show during London Fashion Week. Deyn's whimsical legwear is part of an amazing collaboration between designer Henry Holland and the famous British hosiery brand, Pretty Polly. The style Deyn selected, Henry Holland for Pretty Polly's All Over Houses Tights ($15), are chic and cheeky, as is the rest of the range. (We're personally quite keen on the Mock Stocking Tights ($15) and the Mock Hold Ups ($14) which are both becoming celeb favorites too.) Deyn's leggy accent offers a quirky contrast to her proper tux jacket and menswear-influenced lace-ups, resulting in the sort of highly personal style we expect from this major model. But whatever style inspires you—droll stockings à la Deyn or more classic patterns per Lezark—we hope you enjoy our latest fashion infatuation!


On A Side Note
As you might have heard, we're heading to San Antonio, Texas! The lovely team at Penny Lane is graciously hosting a book-signing event for us TODAY and we promise it will be much fun. Bring your copy of Who What Wear: Celebrity and Runway Style for Real Life or pick one up at the store, either way, we hope you come by and say hello! (It's our first trip to San Antonio, ever, so we're all kinds of excited to see the city and meet y'all!)

San Antonio Book Signing
Thursday, October 15th from 5-7 p.m.
Penny Lane
5928 Broadway St.
San Antonio, TX 78209
210.826.9007


Photo of Agyness Deyn, from Splash; Photo of Jameela Jamil, from Getty Images; Photo of Peaches Geldof, from Bauer Griffin.