This £12 style hack will elevate your winter wardrobe

For a very long time, hosiery had a distinctly unsexy reputation. Indeed, it was seen as a practical necessity, rather than a sartorial accoutrement. Yet today, tights often maketh the look, with colourful, patterned and sheer styles all gaining popularity in recent years.

This season, the A-list have been making a case for super sheer low-denier tights as the perfect way to style a festive look. At the British Style Awards both designer Stella McCartney and It girl Alexa Chung opted to pair their party-ready looks with super-sheer styles, as did actress Chloe Sevigny at the Gotham Film Awards. Meanwhile, at the Princess of Wales’s Christmas Carol Concert, her ever-stylish younger sister Pippa Matthews also flew the flag for pantyhose.

“I think for a long time wearing sheer tights felt quite dated but, like many 80s and 90s specials, they are having a moment back in the spotlight and can add a dose of sexiness to an outfit while being incredibly practical,” says stylist Florrie Thomas. “You don’t feel your winter legs are ready to don a mini skirt? No worries! Just add sheer tights and open toe shoes and your outfit looks more considered as well as more covered up.”

If you needed further proof that sheer tights were in again, then look to the influencer Camille Charriere, whose collaboration with Swedish Stockings,which hit shops last Thursday, includes a 30-denier sheer pair for £50 (Swedish Stockings). “Tights are such a staple in the life of a woman,” Charriere was quoted as saying on the brand’s Instagram. “We all need good tights. They are my favourite styling trick to elevate a look or update a silhouette I’ve worn a million times.”

“Tights are the best fashion accessory, you can do so much with a pair of tights and they add so much to an outfit,” agrees Swedish Stockings Founder & CEO, Linn Frisinger. “They are also affordable if you compare them with other accessories. My all-time favourite is our Olivia (£30, Swedish Stockings). They are classic and work for any occasion.”

Of course, the high street has a plethora of cheaper sheer black options to try, including those with subtle patterns (a £12 duo from Marks & Spencer – one with a bow design and the other a heart print – have become a fashion editor favourite). As with the rest of its autumn/winter collection, the hosiery at Marks & Spencer this season is top-notch, and it’s unsurprising that the retailer has reported a 50 per cent increase in tights sales year-on-year.

Stumped on how to bring your 20-deniers back from the bottom of the tights drawer? Thomas has some advice. “I think the trick with sheer tights is to see them as an accessory for evening wear – just like you would add a pair of sparkly shoes or statement earrings to zhuzh up an outfit,” she says. “They are a means to ‘styling’ an outfit rather than just ‘wearing’ it. A simple little black dress and black heels becomes a considered look with the addition of sheer tights.”

A word of caution though: the festive season’s penchant for sequins could make for a stumbling block, with snagging a real danger. If you’re wearing a sequin midi-skirt or ankle-skimming dress, then consider this your hall pass to go for bare legs instead.

How to go sheer without tears

How low can you go?

“I would always go for between 10 and 20 denier – 15 denier is perhaps the sweet spot,” advises Thomas. “Invest more in these thinner tights than thicker ones too, as obviously they are more likely to ladder.”

Avoid the snag!

If you want to invest, it is worth considering the historic hosiery houses like Wolford and Falke, which are made to a higher quality – with the price tag reflecting this. Of course, there’s still a risk of snagging, but Kristina Falke, who is the International PR Director for Falke, has tips for reducing risk. “Before you open the package of tights, check your hands and fingers,” she says. “Some tights are very delicate and do not excuse rough hands. If you do have rough hands you can also use the Falke gloves.”

“Before you wear them, give them a stretch,” adds Frisinger. “Scrunch them up, one leg at the time and only pull from the bottom up. If you’re wearing heavy boots, put on a small sock to protect the tights.”

Other tips include ensuring you have the right size tights for your dress and shoe size, and that you have regular manicures and pedicures.

Yes, you can machine wash

When it comes to washing them, ensure you follow the washing instructions faithfully, checking the temperature in particular. “Handwashing the tights is no longer necessary,” says Falke. “Just put your tights in a wash bag and wash them with shampoo in a low wash cycle (we sell a wash bag, £10, Falke). And never put them in a tumble dryer.”

Go sheer with confidence…

The likelihood is, you’ve already got the pieces in your wardrobe that you can wear with sheer tights now. “Styling wise they provide an easy way to update things you already own,” advises Thomas. “If you’re feeling confident, wearing them with lighter colours will look more of a statement in a bold way. A simple way in is with knee high boots but don’t be scared to wear them with open toe shoes.”

...But keep it ‘season appropriate’

“My one ‘rule’ is if you’re teaming tights with heels or open toe shoes make sure they aren’t too summery,” continues White. “This is not about colour – white heels with sheer tights can look amazing in a kind of power 80s way – it’s more about the material. So don’t go for anything with a rope sole like an espadrille or a flat summery sandal, instead choose a pair of open toe heeled sandals, peep toes or platform. Ideally tuck the seam under your toes but if it does show don’t worry – there’s an irreverence to wearing your tights and shoes this way that’s sexy and undone.”