Statement tights are all over this fall

It’s not exaggerated to say that TikTok has changed fashion’s trend cycle. Fashion (and beauty, to a lesser degree) follows a 20-year cycle. But, thanks to TikTok’s fast pace, users can already go back to looks they liked ten years ago. This means that mid-2000s trends such as side bangs and messy eyeshadow are making a comeback. What’s the latest? Bold and colorful tights.

Since Versace’s Spring 2022 collection, bold tights have made runway appearances. For Valentino’s Fall 2022 collection of tights, bright hot pink tights were on the runway. This is largely what has been called the Barbiecore takeover.

Raf Simons’ Spring 2023 collection featured ready-to-wear moments for patterned, polka-dotted and brightly colored tights. Bold tights walked the Paris catwalk for Victoria Beckham’s Spring 2023 Fashion Week debut. Marc Jacobs recently released nylons in bright florals as well as a mix of tartan patterns.

The revival of the ballet flat has made bold tights a popular trend on the runway. Brigitte Crisp is the fashion creator and creative director. She created the Ballerina Sleaze aesthetic which blends balletcore with the revival of the «indie-sleaze». This aesthetic describes the contemporary femme aesthetic that has been rising in popularity over the last year. Crisp believes the bold, tight style is compatible with both niche aesthetic stylings.

Many looks in the Ballerina Sleaze community consist of tights or socks above the knees. Given that ballerinas are known to wear tights, as well as the grungy girls who took part in the indie-sleaze wave of the internet, it seems natural that tights are evolving.

Crisp points out that the detail like cutouts or bows is what makes this tights stand out from other tights, such as Blair Waldorf’s on Gossip Girl. Many of these details can be achieved with DIY hacks available on TikTok. She also cites Chopova Lowena Fall 2022 and Louise Lyngh Bjerregaard as examples of bold tights.

Crisp said that tights look playful and are a great way to style them. «Wearing a bold tight makes me feel sassy and naughty. This is a great way to add color or patterns to an outfit without making it too dominant. You can see the tights underneath a midi skirt and calf-high boots. Perfection.»

Camille Hovsepian, content creator, shared her unique styling technique on TikTok. She matched her tights with her shoes to create one continuous line. Hovsepian tells us that brands like Saks Potts and Marine Serre popularized the logo tights trend on social media years ago amid the anti-logomania movement. Trends are changing at a breakneck pace like never before. The runway looks reflect what we see on street fashion and trickle down to TikTok. People who are open to trying new styles and patterns in their clothes are more likely to make a statement.

The maximalism movement, which has been sweeping the fashion world since the pandemic, is characterized by bold and vivid colors. Twee is also responsible for the resurgence of the tight, eccentric style. Twee was first created in 2000 as a fashion style for feminine-prepsters. It was most famously worn by Alexa Chand and Zooey Deschanel. Twee is a tribute to 1960s fashion. Hovsepian mentions the rise of the mini skirt giving way to colorful socks, which was the look Twiggy famously wore.

Bright tights are a nod towards the mid-aughts style that is so popular among Gen Z. They’re also very flattering. Hovsepian says that a simple way to instantly lengthen your legs is to match your shoes and tights. A foolproof way to style them is to take a pair of shoes that you already have and build around it. Closed-toe shoes such as boots, loafers, pumps, and loafers are all good options. You have the option to wear a monochromatic outfit or go neutral with the rest of your outfit. Red ballet flats are my favorite, as they go well with red tights, mini skirts, and a cable knit cardigan.

No matter if your nylons have bright neon colors, are colorfully patterned, or are ripped and twisted, they will be everywhere this season.