While the Met Gala once again showcased the best of loud fashion with artsy dresses, sparkly suits and some downright bizarre pieces, one trend has made a somewhat more quiet return to the red carpet: black tights.
Style pioneer Sienna Miller, 42, appeared at the pre-party in New York wearing a green minidress with a huge flower appliqué while attending the pre-party with her partner Oli Green, 27.
She paired the party dress with white stilettos, but interestingly added a pair of £30 black Luxe 9 tights from Wolford to the ensemble, in a trend that harkens back to the red carpet looks of the nineties.
Sienna isn’t the only star to bring back black tights in recent months, as celebrities including Lily Collins, Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Lawrence have dotted the red carpet in the accessory at various events since 2023, but by opting for the accessory. At the Met Gala, the actress confirmed that she is officially back in fashion.
Sienna Miller, 42, arrived at the Met Gala pre-party in New York with her partner Oli Green, 27, wearing a long-forgotten accessory: black stockings.
Although the accessory, associated with red carpet looks more than a decade ago in the 2000s, is now seen again on red carpets, the trend seems a little different.
Back then, it was common to see thick black tights combined with multicolored floral dresses, contrasting light and shadow; color and monochrome.
They may have been paired with peplum or pencil skirts, thick belts and ballet flats, but today’s tights are a very different style.
Today’s tights are lower denier and sheer, barely covering the leg with a very light layer, and often (though not in Sienna’s case) paired with textured black dresses.
Gigi Hadid walked for Chanel at Paris Fashion Week in 2020 wearing sheer black tights embroidered with the French fashion house’s logo.
Typically, black tights are now worn alongside black suits, but instead of the chunky block styles that were once in fashion, sheer ones are back.
Anne Hathaway paired a leather dress and leather boots with sheer black stockings at a Versace show in 2023.
The trend’s resurgence can be traced back to Chanel’s 2020 collection, in which Gigi Hadid strutted down the Paris runway in lightweight tights embroidered with the French fashion house’s logo.
Last year, at various Fashion Week events around the world, several designers’ AW23 collections included tights, including Jacquemus and Miu Miu.
Describing the trend as “sleepy” and in need of “waking up,” Fashion noted in December 2023 that designers are now looking for ways to revive black tights for today’s red carpets.
It’s not just black tights that are back in fashion; Burberry’s signature checkered tights are also considered a staple fashion accessory and have been for some time.
Last year, style expert Shane Watson explained the new trend and how to wear it.
He noted that to perfect the style, what you should look for is a low denier: by his definition, no more than 20.
Shane wrote: ‘Over forty denier seems too heavy now, not to mention a little scruffy, and industrial strength.
“If you want your jean skirt and furry jacket to have just the right touch of glitz and glamour, you’ll need to take out the sheers.”
She continued: ‘If you want to keep last year’s color block dress working for fall, add sheer black tights and sparkly booties. And if you’re partial to black and monochrome, that dense head-to-toe look is brightened up with sheer tights and kitten heels.
‘Even if you’re wearing knee-high boots, what looks trendy now is a glimpse of a sheer stocking at the front opening of the skirt.
“So while your heart may sink at the thought of giving up your bombproof tights, think of it as a way to future-proof your clothes: Sheer tights will keep your dresses and skirts and even your shorts looking good. spot.
‘The practical drawback can’t be avoided: sheer stockings climb more easily and you’ll have to be more careful: moisturize first and take off your rings before putting them on; make sure they are long enough – snagging is the main cause of problems; and opt for styles with the fewest seams and therefore the fewest stress points.