When I was a teenager, my mum would tell me never to throw away any clothing I bought, assuring me that I'd eventually find myself buying the same item all over again—it was just a matter of time.
Whilst my teenage self rejected this idea, it’s now a decade later, and it seems she was onto something. So far, the 2020s have seen a revival of late 2000s and early 2010s style that I honestly didn’t think possible—and Alexa Chung is leading the pack. Styling a pair of relaxed shorts with semi-sheer tights and sleek kitten heels, she just revived an outfit formula that she used to rely on heavily over 10 years ago.
Once heralded as the cool-girl outfit, the mini-shorts-and-tights look epitomised the "Indie Sleaze" aesthetic championed by style icons Chung, and adopted by every Tumblr page that mattered. Worn by the masses with grubby plimsolls, the outfit became something of a go-to look we'd wear everywhere, from attending lectures to sipping on sugary alcoholic drinks in the student union.
Conveying the nonchalant energy that encapsulated the 2010s, micro shorts and tights served as an evergreen outfit solution that young Brits wore all year round. Whilst The Strokes were enjoying their heyday and smudged eyeliner was the only beauty hack worth trying, nothing provided the same satisfaction as pulling on a pair of impossibly small denim cutoffs over a fresh pair of Boots 40 deniers. But as Indie Sleaze slowly fell out of favour, so too did the outfit combination that dominated the scene.
Fast forward, and just like my mum said, the 10-year fashion cycle has kicked into gear. Prada's viral satin miniskirt pioneered the return of micro hemlines, and more recent seasons have seen the brand's playful younger sister push the boundaries of a summer staple we hadn't been giving much attention to. Whilst longline jorts were trending in the major fashion cities, the Miu Miu team was hard at work making the case for shorts so micro they resembled underwear. Blending the risqué with the risk-averse, the Miu Miu A/W 23 runway saw bum-flashing shorts layered over sheer tights and styled with modest cardigans—igniting a revival of each item in the process.
Since Miu Miu gave the combo its new-season makeover, it seems like the runways can't get enough. Dolce & Gabbana, Lapointe and Max Mara showcased their own takes in their A/W 24 collections, whilst Chloé and Buci backed mini shorts sans tights in theirs.
Transitioning off the runways and back into real life, some of the look's original pioneers are back for another round. Moss (pictured below) took a more pared-back and sophisticated approach, opting for leather shorts and sheer tights and finishing her look with sleek pointed-toe heels and a roomy knit. Influenced by a growing preference for minimalist style and easy elegance spearheaded by brands like The Row and Celine, 2026's take on the nostalgic pairing is nothing short of elevated.
Since the shorts-and-tights combination's original heyday, how we (and by "we", I mean those of us who wore it the first time around) express ourselves through fashion has changed drastically. Whilst the Indie Sleaze aesthetic encouraged an undone, messy and laid-back approach to getting dressed, the 2020s and our social-media-first lifestyles call for more finesse—and our clothing choices reflect this. So it's unsurprising that some of our favourite nostalgic trends have received a grown-up glow-up to adhere to our new set of polished, quiet-luxury-age expectations.
As someone who would wear a shorts-and-tights outfit at least once a week throughout my teens, I'm not just ready for another go—I'm completely here for it. With a growing soft spot for the leather shorts I've been seeing everywhere this season and my unwavering love for Alexa Chung's style, read on to discover my edit of the best shorts and tights on the market to wear together right now.
Stylish Shorts and Tights Outfit Inspiration:
Shop the Best Shorts and Tights:
Style with sheer tights and pointed-toe heels for a Kate Moss-approved ensemble.
An essential in any well-edited wardrobe.
Wear with a V-neck knit or the jumper-as-a-scarf trend to inject a balmy touch in your winter wardrobe.
These also come in eight other colours, proving there are so many eligible alternatives to black tights.
Leather shorts, despite their connotations with ageing rock stars and inebriated nights out, are actually incredibly chic.
A lot has changed, but not where I buy my tights.
An incredibly Miu Miu-coded style, for those who adore the brand but might be slightly priced out.
Trust me—Swedish Stockings is the best tights brand around.
Of course, it wouldn't be an edit of the best shorts and tights without a mention of the inimitable original.
These opaque tights come in so many other colours.
The perfect party fashion trend that you can continue into spring and summer.
Skip your morning coffee and croissant and invest in a pair of tights that can elevate so much of your cold-weather outfits.
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At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.
We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.
