For & Against: Pants & Tights
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The Case For:
Saroop
If The Row did pin-up girls, this is how I imagine they'd look. Styled correctly, this quiet-luxury take on pin-up culture offers the perfect combination of cosy, sexy and chic. I wouldn’t consider it a practical day-to-day outfit, but if you want to be a bit more experimental with your basics, knitted shorts are the way to go. They give an instant fashion and feminine edge to staples like white shirts and blazers. If you don’t feel confident in sheer tights, you could opt for a higher denier and a darker silhouette. You can also choose your bottom coverage – pick from full briefs or retro high-waisted styles.
Yes, the trend requires self-confidence to pull it off, but this season I'm all for celebrating the fearlessness of women and dressing to reflect a carefree attitude. I also don’t believe it's just for tall and slender body types. I think it’s an opportunity for women with hips, bottoms and thighs to show off their beauty and embrace their individuality.
Pants with tights have already been spotted on high-profile musicians like Beyoncé, Mariah Carey and Jenifer Lopez, when they are performing. All of which have been praised for reshaping traditional beauty standards to allow for more inclusivity and diversity. This latest trend plays into that and the messaging is clear, wear whatever makes you feel confident.
For a chic and minimalist going out look – just add black court heels and throw on a longline grey coat. For a more relaxed take, try a pair of chunky socks, black loafers and an oversized bomber jacket. Bold, surprisingly versatile and confidence-building, what's not to love.
The Case Against:
Emma
I like embracing adventurous trends, but the recent surge of pants paired with tights has left me a tad sceptical. Don’t get me wrong, I adored this look on the AW23 runways at Bottega and Miu Miu, but when it comes to styling pants and tights for every day, I find myself hesitating.
I know the coolest celebs like Kendall, Emma Corrin and Olivia Wilde have endorsed the trend on the streets of New York and even at the Venice film festival – and they’ve all owned it and looked insane, I should say. The problem I have is that it only works for runways, celebrity fits and the curated grids of Instagram.
Firstly, I’m guessing it’s not the most flattering option if you don’t have the proportions of a super model. I haven’t tried it but standing at 5’2 (at a push) I imagine this isn’t the look for me. Childhood memories of reluctantly donning oversized pants during school games add another layer to my hesitation.
Beyond those concerns, the sheer practicality of the trend comes into play. The thought of venturing out in pants and tights, especially during the unpredictable weather of a UK winter, appears to be more of a sartorial gamble than a sensible choice. The comfort and warmth of cosy cashmere, shearling and leather seem much more suited to our winters.
Right now, the fashion girls on our grids are throwing on a floor-length tailored coat with cashmere and sling-backs to complete the pants and tights look. They all look cool and chic, but I can’t see it translating to the office anytime soon. It may be runway-worthy and social media-friendly, but it’s a big transition to real-world wardrobes.
I’ve embraced unconventional styles on the daily commute in the past, but I find myself cautiously sidestepping this particular trend. If silver trousers are too much for my kids on the school run, I imagine pants and tights will be too.
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