Red tights: the must-have winter accessory

Red tights, a fashion legacy of the 1970s

Among the trends that have marked the last two seasons of the Fashion Week, the colorful, edgy comeback of the 1970s fashion has inspired many designers.

From the miniskirts that flooded the catwalks in September to Louis Vuitton’s vinyl leather, Hermès’ suede high boots, the omnipresence of “ethnic” or floral patterns, and the countless ultra-large belts worn around the waist, everything seems to take us back to the seventies aesthetic, which also features colorful tights.

Introduced in the 1960s by the brand Dim, these tights made of lycra fabrics, which guarantee their elasticity, eventually came out in a wide range of colors - orange, yellow, green or red - at the beginning of the following decade. They used to be worn with miniskirts and minidresses, the ultimate trend at the time.

It is no wonder that the return of the miniskirt also heralded the comeback of colored, opaque or transparent tights, spelling the end of the lasting reign of neutral colors. At the same time, the trend represents the continuation of the pink tsunami initiated by Valentino in 2022 and propelled by the success of the film Barbie starring Margot Robbie, released in 2023.

Evidence of this trend has been spotted on the catwalks of the various fashion houses throughout the year, featuring red tights for both the Winter and Spring/Summer 2024 wardrobes. A perfect way to enjoy the first rays of sunshine in style, as the winter comes to an end.

Red tights to brighten up a look

However, transitioning from the trends spotted on the catwalks to those taken to the streets is not always an easy task. For instance, the no-pants trend is still struggling to leave its mark on our everyday life.

Regarding red tights, there is nothing easier. Whether you choose the opaque version for a more assertive look, or the transparent one for a more subtle touch, red tights brighten up any look and have already won over budding fashionistas. And there are plenty of them, according to the platform Lyst, which claims that Internet searches for red tights have risen by 100% over the past six months.

Besides, the myriad catwalks in which red tights have been spotted provide ample inspiration on how to wear them. While Gucci and Miu Miu promote a transparent version to wear with a skirt and sweater, Burberry opts for the fishnet option paired with a knit ensemble, and Robert Wun offers a gradation of red paired with kitten heels. At Miaou, tights complete a pink and red total look, just like the monochrome ensemble seen at Le Chouchou show by Jacquemus, the coat, pumps, tights and bag total look spotted at Acne Studios, or the glamorous satin looks accessorized with long gloves at Dolce & Gabbana.

At Louis Vuitton, tights are adorned with elegant, shiny embroidery, while Marine Serre covers them with her iconic half-moon logo for an even bolder fashion silhouette. Finally, pairing these red tights with black or matching pumps and a neutral-colored dress or skirt seems to be a unanimous choice at Saint Laurent, Coperni, Givenchy, Zimmermann, Altuzarra and David Koma.

All the it-girls are already sporting the trend

In addition to the legendary Blair Waldorf, Manhattan’s fashion priestess of the early 2010s, many other it-girls have apparently adopted the red tights trend. Starting with todays’ hottest influencer Kylie Jenner, who, two weeks ago, opted for a Jacquemus monochrome total-look, featuring a large fur-trimmed coat, square-toed shoes and, of course, opaque red tights. Her sister Kendall Jenner, was also seen walking in the streets of Los Angeles in a crimson Bottega Veneta suede ensemble, while actress Elle Fanning was spotted wearing an all red lace dress.

On the red carpets, the red tights and total-look trends have been showcased by Anya Taylor-Joy in New York, model Mariacarla Boscono at the Venice Biennale, and actress Precious Lee at the 2023 Fashion Awards. More recently, the trend has also been spotted on Dakota Johnson’s legs at The Graham Norton Show, where she promoted her new film Madame Web.

Traduction Emma Naroumbo Armaing