Table of Contents
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Key Takeaways
- Matching your tights to your shoes is the leg-lengthening styling trick we’ll be wearing all winter.
- Much like an opera glove, it adds a touch of glamour to any cold weather look.
For reasons I don’t have to get into/don’t feel like talking about (the cold, mainly), it’s the season of tights. It’s also the season of opera gloves, though depending what circles you frequent you’ll probably see the former more than the latter.
That’s okay, though. They might not keep your arms warm or your chipped manicure covered or help you feel like Jennifer Lopez at the Grammys or a Guilded Age girlie, but tights can serve a similar purpose as opera gloves, styling wise.
As long as you match them to your shoes.
@maudeapatow/Instagram
The Trend
Just like a classic opera glove might match the gown you chose for your night at the ball, a matching tight and shoe combination has the ability to level up your winter outfit. The rest of your look doesn’t have to be the same shade, though a full monochrome moment is fun.
The trend isn’t limited to only tights, either—tall socks will also do the trick. Just don’t throw on sneakers—the look is at its best when you’re wearing fun pumps or flats (or, hear me out, satin platforms) in a surprising color with similarly pigmented hosiery.
@encelade.store/Instagram
When I was in Sweden a few months ago, all the cool girls were running around in burgundy ballet flats and matching tights. Now it’s cold enough here that we’re doing the same. The look has been popping up all over Instagram (Lily Allen did it with purple for a British Vogue shoot, and two Next Gen NYC stars wore it to BravoCon), and I’m sure we’re going to see it everywhere else this holiday season, too. Stay tuned for Kendall Jenner’s Christmas slideshow.
@ava_dash/Instagram
How to Wear It
Getting the look is so simple considering how much weight the combo pulls. All you need to do is find a pair of tights that match your favorite shoes. They can be a few shades different, but the closer the better.
@hoskelsa/Instagram
It obviously works the other way, too—you can find shoes to match your tights. And if you have a particularly iconic pair in your wardrobe, I might suggest that. Otherwise, it makes the most sense to browse the accessory brands secondary. Fun tights are in, and I’m sure you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for by scrolling Hue, L’Eggs, or Swedish Stockings.
Get the Look
…Unless you’d rather start from scratch? How very fancy and “I have a box at the opera” of you.
Thank you for understanding the vision, and here are some fun pairings to choose from.
