Today’s Footless Tights
Footless tights may be the season’s must-have fashion accessory, but unlike a roomy handbag or comfy ballet flats, not every woman can - or should - wear leggings.
There are figure issues, texture and color considerations, and such basics as what to wear them with and where to wear them.
Still, leggings have wide appeal, and with a few guidelines, can look good on women in a range of ages and sizes, proponents say.
“I think this tights craze is just another reflection of how accessory trends come and go,” says Amy Goodman, contributing editor to InStyle magazine. “The variety has increased so much - with all the colors, textures and styles - that it makes hosiery a great deal of fun. For women who have had it on the back shelves, it’s time to get it out and explore again.”
The fact that hosiery is also warm and slimming are two more reasons to recommend it, she says.
“This is a trend that can be worn by everyone from ‘tweens to your groovy grandma,” says hosiery expert Alison Hessert. “It’s all about layering and personalization.
“I’ve been astounded by the people of all shapes and sizes I’ve seen wearing them,” says Hessert, who is spokeswoman for Hue hosiery.
In the 15-block walk between her home and office in New York, Hessert says she typically sees at least five people wearing leggings. “The capri-length ones were really strong for spring and summer - even when it was hot outside - and now the ankle ones look best.”
Hessert, who is in her 30s, says she has been wearing leggings with a bubble dress left over from her college days and completes the outfit with interesting shoes, like blue peep-toe platforms or red patent slingbacks.
The universal way to wear leggings is to slip them on in place of tights under a dress, Hessert says, noting that the jersey dresses and full trapeze or empire-waist styles popular now are good options. Presuming your workplace isn’t too conservative, such an outfit can update your office look and is right at home in more creative environs.
For customers in their teens and 20s who want a “rock-star” look, leggings, a punk T-shirt and denim or corduroy miniskirt are cute, Hessert says. Flats or booties complete the look.
Boomers who want to wear leggings without looking like a flashback from the 1983 movie “Flashdance” can wear black footless tights topped with a thigh-grazing sweater or elongated tunic and flats or ankle boots.
Just avoid wearing a lot of flashy colors and patterns that look like something Cyndi Lauper or Pat Benatar might have worn in the 1980s, says Ashley Baker, associate editor for style at Glamour magazine.
“Black is best,” she says, noting that colors like red make you look like you’re in children’s pajamas and white leggings look nurse-ish. “Anything sheer, striped, printed or patterned is a glamour `don’t,”‘ Baker adds.
Source (and read the rest of the article at) PressTelegram.com
