TIGHTS FASHION top the LADDER

They’ve long been a fashion no-no, but tights have stormed the catwalk. Charlie Gowans-eglinton asks, can they ever not be naff ?

TIGHTS – THOUGH INFINITELY PRACTICAL – have always been dodgy territory, fashion-wise. OK, so a fishnet might find its way on to a Saint Laurent catwalk, but only with a micro miniskirt and/or a superstiletto. However, the idea of Kate Middleton’s 10-deniers appearing on the FROW? Not on your life.

But you should never say never – not when it comes to fashion. It all started in February, at New York Fashion Week. Suddenly, the front row was lined with stockinged feet tucked into clunky court shoes and backless loafers. Fast-forward seven months, and Céline sent models down the catwalk in 20denier tights, worn with sandals, no less. Yes. Céline. Uber French fashion house Céline. Toe straps even separated a stockinged big toe from the others (shudder). Over at Balenciaga, spandex-thick tights in peacock blue and purple went under barely-there strappy sandals. In the past, no stylish Parisian woman worth her salt would be caught dead in tights, no matter the temperature – it’s a bare ankle or rien. But there’s no denying the trend-setting power of French label Céline’s Phoebe Philo, or the new man at the Balenciaga helm, Vetements taste-maker Demna Gvasalia. Kim K is already following suit, layering her sandals over fishnets. Does it look a bit weird? Maybe. But Alexa doing semi-sheers under a leather pencil skirt, or peeking out from beneath a ballgown? Genius. And you’ve got to give it to Demna et al – they’re cosier than braving a bare toe. Start with a pop-sock under jeans and loafers, and then, who knows? Perhaps even stockings ’n’ sandals with a party dress. Maybe K-middy was right all along…