Here I was thinking coloured tights were like mail-order catalogues and VHS, outmoded and destined for the dust-bin or time. Hah, was I wrong. In just 24-hours three events happened at New York Fashion Week that proved aubergine legs and sky blue pins are staging a comeback, and there’s nothing we can do to stop them.
It all started at Tom Ford where anything acceptable in the ‘80s was given the thumbs up. Meaning: metallic lamé leggings, (lots and lots of) leopard print and power suits with shoulders sharp enough to take your eye out. With a little lilac leopard print (of course) babydoll, Ford welcomed back the colour-drenched leg. His florid hosiery came in animal print (obviously).
Still scratching our heads about the designer-director’s high-octane collection, we turned to Adam Selman for some sweet relief. But, he hit back with an exuberant exercise in everything 1980s. Do you see a theme here? Alongside puff-sleeved cocktail dresses in zebra print, Rihanna’s favourite designer showed white tights. He also teamed mini-skirts with turquoise legs, slip dresses with pumpkin pins and micro shorts with scarlet tights.
While it’s been over 20 years since Jean-Paul Gaultier designed the costumes for camp classic sci-fi flick Fifth Element, Jeremy Scott’s AW18 show proved it’s still inspiring designers today. Case in point: Scott’s ode to the crazed kitschy fearless fashion of this cult film. For the 2018 woman, which in the Moschino designer’s case was Gigi Hadid and Slick Woods, this meant thigh-high moon boots, vivid rave-ready bobs and candy-coloured tights. Harnesses and zip-up dresses were paired with thick hosiery in baby pink or orange, while abbreviated A-line skirts and co-ords were paired with tantalizing stockings in purple or lime.
If three time’s a charm then prepare yourself as coloured tights are coming back.
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.