Little could we have guessed that when Adele announced her return to the charts this autumn that she would be bringing back one of fashion’s favourite trends with her – party tights.
In the singer’s international Vogue shoot styled by editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, the star is pictured wearing not one, but two pairs of jazzy hosiery: a polka-dot and fishnet double whammy.
While the Easy On Me singer has marked the return of the cyclical trend, party tights – unofficially classed as anything other than your typical 40 denier – have already had the recent endorsement of some heavyweight fashion influencers.
Earlier this month, Tracee Ellis Ross shared three pictures of her wearing a diamond-dot design with her 10.5 million Instagram followers. A week later, the rapper Cardi B threw a celebrity-packed birthday party for herself, to which she wore a wide-cutout design. On the catwalks, the Fendace collaboration, featuring Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, saw tights with the brands’ amalgamated logo walk the runway and in London last week, Alexander McQueen dressed models in pairs dripping with diamanté appliqué. Meanwhile, the new Quant documentary, directed by Sadie Frost, celebrating the life of 1960s style icon Mary Quant who is arguably the most famous pin-up for party tights, is set to further inspire a 2021 revival.
“They’re a cheaper way of updating your wardrobe and also a great way to introduce pattern into your repertoire if you are someone who prefers a minimalist or monochrome style,” says Therese Bassler, founder of Style Coach, who recommends opting for a sustainable brand, like Swedish Stockings, if you want to buy into the trend.
Net-a-porter.com notes that logo-heavy styles by Fendi, as well as Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent starting at £170, are trending now, while the high street is serving options too. Next is selling its Sparkle Tights in every colour from £5 and ASOS Design is leading the way with zebra-print, monogrammed and glitter cobweb styles – available in maternity options – starting at £6.
Heist, the hosiery brand which has made a name for itself with seam-free designs for increased comfort, is also launching a sustainable line of geometric fishnets and shimmering golden lamé styles this week starting at £28. “Our signature gusset-free design means that they don’t roll or sag – which is exactly what you want when it comes to party season,” says lead designer Jessica Haughton. “And they are intelligently designed using recycled yarn and elastane which makes them stronger, comfier and kinder to the planet.”
On the same conscious note, Bassler says they shouldn’t be a one-night wonder. “I wouldn’t necessarily class them as evening only, you can easily wear them during daytime, especially now that it’s so popular to wear knitted dresses and skirts with chunky boots.”
