Fall 2008 Fashion Trend: Tights
While you’re rocking your summer dresses and skirts into the fall, you’re going to want something to keep your legs warm. Wouldn’t it be great if your legwear could not only be functional, but could also be an extension of your fabulous outfit? Oh wait, it can.
That’s where another one of fall’s hottest trends comes in! This season, designers are taking the opaque tights trend of last year to the next level. This year, the hottest types of tights for fall come in interesting patterns or jewel-tone colors.
Ready to see more? Keep reading to find out why this is one trend you’re going to love for fall.
Runway Inspiration
Here’s some runway inspiration to give you some ideas on how to wear patterned and colored tights. As you’ll see in the photos below, most of the designers this season paired tights with mini dresses and fabulous high heels.
Think about how you might want to wear patterned & colored tights while you look at the pictures. What would you wear, and what would you do differently?
Photos courtesy of Style.com.
Patterned & Painted Tights
Designers like Chanel, Anna Sui, and Emma Cook are just a few fans of patterned tights for fall. Each of them incorporated painted images or texture into their tights for a completely unique look each time. Click the images below to enlarge!
From Left: Anna Sui, Chloe’, Emma Cook
From Left: Chanel, Anna Sui, Miss Sixty
Solid-Colored Tights
The black opaque tights of last year are still going strong, but now they are accompanied by this year’s hottest tight colors – jewel tones and greys. Designers like Burberry Prorsum, Luella, and John Galliano all used fall’s fabulous colors in their tights for a look that was grown-up yet still fun. If you ask me, that’s part of what makes it such a perfect trend for college.
From Left: Burberry Prorsum, Gucci, Luella
From Left: Viktor and Rolf, John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier
Cute Patterned & Colored Tights
If you love this look and want to buy some cute tights for fall, here are some great, inexpensive pairs that I found. Looking like you stepped off the runway isn’t difficult with prices like this.
From Left: Juicy Couture Diamond Pointelle Tights ($42.00), Nordstrom Pinstripe Tights ($11.90), Nordstrom ‘Heather Hip’ Diamond Tights ($11.90)
From Left: Nordstrom Double Diamond Tights ($12.00), Zig Zag tights ($10.00), Tights – Set of 3 ($7.99)
What do you think?
How do you feel about this trend? Do you think you’d wear patterned tights or not this year? I want to hear what you guys think, so leave some comments.
Also, be sure to check back again soon for some more hot fall fashion trends!
Posted on on July 31, 2008 / Filed Under: Trends / Tags: Back to School Shopping, Fall 2008, fall fashion, Inspiration, Tights
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Lyd
I like tights, but i’m not into the whole pattern tights look. More into solid colours like pink, purple, blue, green, and i’d wear it under skirts or mini dresses :D
Erin
Just a tip, girls – Forever 21 and For Love 21 are carrying fantastic opaque tights in a rainbow of colors, for $5 apiece – they’re not terrible either!
Jess
Since I’m starting college in the fall, I am excited to reinvent myself – slightly bolder and more confident. I bought two dark pairs of tights at the end of fall last year from Gap but never wore them. I love the idea of wearing black tights under jewel tones outfits. I hope I can work it!
ally
I love the patterned tights trend! I’ve already been looking for fall, but didn’t know where to find any until I came here. thanks for doing this piece :)
la petite fashionista
I love the look of tights, so clasyy! Also, living in FL, they are the perfect for our mild winters :) I’ve been looking for patterned ones though so thank you for the links!
xoxo
Iris
To be honest, I can’t seem to wrap my head around this – I love my skirts to death, but I don’t have the stick-thin legs or build for tights, and plus they only seem glamorous onscreen, or on Gossip Girl. Maybe it’s just because I live in California, so I’m bitter that in the Fall, the weather dares to get cold.. D:
I really would like to know how to integrate this with my wardrobe, since I have a much more “classic” > fashion forward style, but I’m still wanting to work in interesting trends. The only time I’ve ever seen tights done well and not too overly trendy was with a sweaterdress, and that’s pretty defacto. Fabulous article overall though, good to see a full trend article about tights :D
Fashion Knight
I’d rather wear patterned tights dress..
I been looking for an classy emo style patterned tight dress..
It looks very much in fashion nowadays..
Jaimie
love the colored tights. thanks for posting!
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xoxo jaimie
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Ali
I think this look is super fabulous, but I’m not sure I have the courage to wear them. I’m not in college, but I’m a junior in high school and I follow alot of the tips and ideas you post. I wish that I lived in a place where there weren’t so many Abercrombie clones and more people who would dress like this.
Keep up the good work. : )
S
I am obsessed with opaque tights and have been for years now. I already know I’ll be all about the grey and black and occasionally patterned tights. I particularly love Wolfords! Pants are not actually necessary in the fall and winter contrary to popular belief :)
Style Star
I’m excited about tights. I’m already putting together my fall wardrobe. Making sure to buy pieces that can be accented with pattern tights.
Katie
ok, i like tights, but patterns?? argh youve gotta be kidding me, im not in college im in grade 8 but seriousley, patternend tights are so retro (not the good retro either) buy an archie comic and thats the first ugly clothing item youll see…………… but i like the solid colour ones or the ones with simple patterns like polka dots stripes or stars but as far as paisleys and herringbone on tights go call the fashion police
by the way, is it still okay to wear capri leggings with open feet?? and how about thigh high stockings, and what the heck do you wear them with?? someone help me! thanks!!
Zephyr
Jess – You can definitely work it! It’s one of the cutest looks this season & I’m sure you’ll look great!
Lauren – No problem :) Happy to help!
Ali – I hear ya! My high school was fashion-nowhere as well. That’s why college rocks – you can wear what you want and it’s not so abercrombie’d out. Stick it out a couple more years & don’t be afraid to wear what you want anyway!
S – I couldn’t agree more! Who needs pants when you have cute tights? Haha.
Katie – Patterned tights aren’t right for everyone! As I always say here, pick & choose. If you hate one trend go with another one. As for leggings, it’s okay. I’m not a fan of them anymore because so many people wear them like pants, but if you wear leggings under a longer top or skirt, they can still look good. Also, thigh high stockings aren’t really in style. If you’re looking for legwear, opaque tights are the way to go!
katie
Thanks Zephyr! you rock!~
do you know what else will be “in” for the 08 09 school year? Like, just the key pieces so i can have my own style but still look trendy, and dont you think its time we all got over the skinny jean phase? I dont know if people are in love with them at college, but at my high school? oh my goah! people wear like yellow and pink and lime green skinny jeans and it dosent really make them look skinny as the name suggests, they were cool when they were new, but now its just gross… Thanks for the advice! love the site!
Crystal
Where can I find tights that are long enough to go over part of the foot…like over the heel but still keep the toes free? Ballerina style, I guess. I really look forward to trying out the tights/booties combo! http://www.ssasychic.com/?p=65
Rochelle
Crystal, I found a pair that goes between your big toe and second toe – still cute and under $10 at H&M!
Jordyn
I really don’t like tights. just like leggings they are going to go out of style really fast. I really don’t think that this is a style that is going to be a major trend.
Jayme
Hey:
I’m a guy in college, and I love wearing footless tights under big sweaters and big shirts, and I even have the coolest “poet’s blouse…in brilliant white. I go to Vassar College, and most everyone seems to approve of my “style”.
I have footless tights in many colors……… I think I never got over my ballet years.
I think it’s soooo great that girls now are getting back into colorful legwear.
Jayme
Cici
Hey:)) target has fantastic patterned tights just bot really cute hounds tooth
crystal
Thanks, Zephyr, for all of the runway inspiration! :)
I just found some very cute tights at Urban Outfitters. They have a knock-off version of the super cute and trendy Chanel two-tone tights. For only $14. Also, I found the over-the-heel tights I’ve been longing for…Nordstrom for less than $20 and in lots of colors. Here’s a post focused on the whole tights with open-toe heels thing.
D
I really have to laugh… as a girl who grew up in the 80’s when colored tights were all the rage, I have since endured years of the younger generation LAUGHING at the whole idea of tights. (Heck even hose…remember bare and fake tanned legs???) Yep, we wore all those patterned and colored tights BACK THEN with our dresses and casual wear…. and a couple of years later the fashionistas were laughing and gagging and telling us how outdated they were…. so after we threw them out, now they want to bring them back? HA! Wake up folks…. I say, wear what looks good on YOU and forget the crazy, fly-by-night-fickle-fashion flakes. If you are rocking the tights, I say go for it. If you hate them, don’t worry… it’s only a matter of time befor ethe entire fashion world does too.
Jayme
D:
Way to go…..you are soooo right!
Wear what looks good on you…. I do!
Jayme
ChicSpandex
I love leggings and footless tights. Some people don’t. Why don’t people allow others to wear the style they like. There are many attractive styles, but all the lemmings think we have to all dress the same.
Leggings and tights not only feel great in cool weather, they allow those with less than perfect legs (99% of us) to use leggy styles. Even those with perfect legs can use leggings/tights when they want a classier leggy look (face it, miniskirts are not appropriate everywhere).
Let’s continue a great style that has been around for millenia (though, I admit, we stole it from men and now they are scared to use it.)
kylie
I am absolutely nuts over tights. GAHHH they are so wonderful and cheap and can totally just transform an outfit. <333
Stacy
Yea I actually started to rock the colored tights last year and they were such a big hit! people were always commenting on how cute my look was and I’m glad to see that it is continuous in this fall fashion. don’t be afraid to try BOLD colors, I wore royal blue tights a few weeks ago with a white top that faded from white to turquoise to royal blue and it was such a hit!
LAUREN
Crystal, did you buy those two tone tights from the website i can’t find them on there – could you give me a link?
I MUST have them!!
cassie
OMG I LOVE coloured tights. I’ve just found this really cool site – http://www.lovecolour-lovetights.com. It’s fab, all different colours, prints, I’ve brought loads! Just couldn’t resist – check it out.
Jayme
Chicspandex:
Did you say you girls stole the leggings/tights from men……..? and that they don’t wear them?……..
I’ve been wearing them all through college………..
Ha
Jayme
Natalie
I have a question. What about shoes for the fall. I have a pair of trust pointy toe heels that I realize are going out, which I am very upset about, but what should I replace them with? I’m thinking the gladiator sandals or gladiator-type heels? Any other ideas?
cassie
LoveColour-LoveTights.com – We now ship WORLDWIDE
Hey Guys,
Just to let you know – no matter where you are in the world, you can still wear our tights. We now ship to any country!
Love Cassie xx
Jayme
Cassie:
That’s great…..
love your myriad of colors and styles…………. really over the top
Jayme
Jaime
$42 for tights! Only Juicy would think that was appropriate. They’re hot, but i’m sure i can find a similar style for $10.
Jaime,
http://www.thetrafficdriver.com/apparelaccessories.php – Your source for all things fashion
b
are tights still in style for fall 2009?
Haleigh
i personally love lace tights. a floral pattern makes an edgy outfit a little more feminine. even now in 2009 i love to rock tights with my mini dresses and flats for school
Madeleine
I absolutely love this trend!! I don’t think that I’d wear the pattern tights this fall however because they seem a little too bold for my taste.