It’s the age old debate we all have to have when the weather gets slightly warmer tights or no tights? Now that Spring is finally here, we have to repeatedly question whether wearing tights will make us too hot or if the lack of them will bring us one step closer to pneumonia.
It’s certainly not easy to make the right choice, and the temperamental weather we’re subjected to on the British Isles only goes to make matters worse. There is however, a solution; stockings! Known to be a bit of a sexy fashion statement, stockings are a girl's go-to when we want to be feeling a little frisky, but they can also work wonders in place of basic hosiery.
If you’re willing to give causal stockings a try, the next step is knowing how to style them. This is where people might feel a little tripped up, as they’re not as easy to camouflage as your standard tights, but in a lot of ways they can really add something to an outfit instead of just being a small part of it.
Under-dressed
The one thing most people may be a bit wary of whilst trying stockings is visible lines, if this is something that panics you the best thing to do is kick it off with a lengthy, flowy dress or under a nice crisp pair of culottes. Don’t flinch at the thought of tights and trousers, some simple layering with some mixed and matched shades of black can look incredibly classy; pair it with some heeled black boots and a long coat and you’ll have heads turning down the street thanks to your impeccable layering skills.
To try out this look, grab a pair of classic black stockings from Bluebella.
Patterned pieces
Stockings come in all colours, and shapes and patterns, and playing with them can add a little something extra to your Spring look. Whether you want to pair it with a simple flowing skirt in the spirit of the sunny weather, or don some red lippy and go sophisticated with a LBD, make the outfit pop a little bit more by investing in a seamed pair of stockings. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the age of Marilyn Monroe, not to mention you’ll fit right in. To try your hand at being a 1950’s dream queen, we’re loving this pair from Bluebella.
If the fifties aren’t your thing, the other pattern that’s everywhere right now is fishnets, and you don’t have to be rock and roll royalty to rock them. Whether you make them the centre of attention or pop them under some ripped jeans, you’ll be right on trend if you opt for holes in all the right places in Bluebella's Fishnet Hold-ups.
Shorts and Stockings
The one thing that tends to stop us from rocking the stockings full time is when we want to wear something a little shorter, but that doesn’t mean we can’t, instead of trying to hide them you can try making them the centre of attention. Invest in a good suspender belt to make sure they stay right where you want them and grab some stockings with a bit of detail (we’re loving these lacy numbers) and let them work their magic - lace and denim is a match made in heaven.
As if you're wearing nothing at all
Remember stockings don't always have to be a statement, they can blend into your outfit just as equally as they could become the centrepiece. If you want to look like you're wearing nothing, or would like to give yourself an added bit of extra warmth when the sun isn't yet at its brightest, try a pair of Nude Hold-ups, without the need of a suspender belt they’re much less visible, and you'll barely notice they’re there throughout the day.
So there you have it, our top tips for making the transition from tights to stockings. To take the plunge visit our Hosiery section.
Written by Ella Guthrie
