The Ultimate Guide to Women's Tights

Patterned and coloured tights are the quickest way to change an outfit without changing anything else. A pair of florals can soften a plain dress, plaid can give a skirt a dark academia feel, and a bold graphic print can turn a simple black outfit into a statement.

This guide covers five popular styles, how to wear each one, which shoes work, how to choose the right denier, and how to keep your tights looking good. Every style links to the matching collection, so you can shop as you read.

In this guide: Floral · Plaid and tartan · Lolita and cute · Funky and graphic · Knee high socks and stockings · Styling rules · Denier guide · Care · FAQ

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Floral Tights · Cute Tights · Coloured Tights · Funky Tights · Knee High Socks · All Women's Tights

1. Floral tights: romantic and cottagecore

Floral tights suit soft, vintage-inspired outfits. They work best against plain fabrics like linen, cotton and knitwear, where the print has room to stand out.

How to wear them: pair them with a solid-colour midi dress or skirt in a muted shade, and add Mary Janes, loafers or ankle boots.

Try: Green Cottagecore Floral Tights, Country Style Floral Tights or Floral Retro Tights. For a wedding, see the Opaque Floral Bride Tights.

For more vintage prints, read our guide to paisley tights.

2. Plaid and tartan tights: the dark academia look

Checks and tartans bring a heritage feel to a modern outfit. They look best with structured pieces like pleated skirts, blazers and knitted vests.

How to wear them: keep the rest of the outfit in one or two solid colours, and add brogues, loafers or leather boots.

Try: Colourful Tartan Tights, Red Checked Tights or Pink Plaid Tights.

Read more in our tartan and plaid tights guide.

3. Lolita and cute tights: playful and sweet

Stripes, checks and pastel prints give a lighter, more playful look. They suit tiered skirts, ruffled hems and cardigans.

How to wear them: let the tights carry the pattern and keep the rest soft and simple. Chunky Mary Janes or Oxford shoes complete the style.

Try: Sweet Pink Striped & Checkered Lolita Tights or Pastel Mint Floral Kitten & Tea Party Tights. Browse more in Cute Tights.

4. Funky and graphic tights: bold and alternative

Graphic prints suit fashion that doesn't follow the rules. These work as the centrepiece of the outfit, so everything else can stay simple.

How to wear them: an all-black dress, a leather jacket or a plain dark skirt lets the print stand out. Platform shoes or boots finish the look.

Try: Fairy Grunge Eye Print Tights, Novelty Printed Fish Funky Tights or Whimsical Fairytale Building Printed Stockings.

See more in Funky Tights and our funky and goth tights guide.

5. Knee high socks and stockings: lighter layers

Knee high socks and stockings add a pattern or a pop of colour without a full-length tight. They're a good choice for in-between seasons and for outfits with short hemlines.

How to wear them: pair them with skirts, mini dresses or shorts, and finish with trainers, loafers or boots.

Try: the full Knee High Socks collection, from retro green socks to shimmer stockings and floral styles for weddings. Read our guide to how to wear knee high socks and tights.

Styling rules for patterned tights

• Let the tights be the statement. If the pattern is bold, keep the skirt, top and shoes simple.
• Echo one colour. Repeat a shade from your tights in a bag, earrings, scarf or hat.
• Match the shoe to the mood. Loafers and brogues feel academic, Mary Janes feel sweet, and boots and platforms feel edgy.
• Mix prints carefully. If you do combine patterns, change the scale, for example large florals with a fine stripe.

Which denier should you choose?

Denier measures how thick or sheer tights are. As a general guide:

Check each product page for the exact denier of the pair you're buying.

Patterned tights through the seasons

• Spring and summer: go lighter, or switch to knee high socks for a more breathable feel.
• Autumn and winter: choose thicker, opaque pairs to add warmth and break up darker coats and outfits.

How to care for patterned tights

1. Wash gently. Hand-wash in cold water with a mild detergent, or use a fine-mesh laundry bag in a delicate machine cycle.
2. Don't tumble dry. High heat damages elastic fibres, so air-dry them flat.
3. Put them on carefully. Trim your nails, remove rings, then gather the tights from the toe and roll them up your legs rather than pulling.

Frequently asked questions

What colour tights go with everything?
Solid shades like black, navy, burgundy or forest green are the easiest to match. For patterned pairs, keep the rest of the outfit in solid colours.

What shoes go with patterned tights?
Loafers, brogues, Mary Janes, ankle boots and chunky trainers all work. Choose the shoe that matches the mood of the outfit.

Can you wear patterned tights to work?
Yes. Choose a subtle pattern or a muted colour, such as a small check, and pair it with simple, structured pieces.

Can you wear patterned tights with a patterned dress?
It's safer to keep one piece plain. If you mix patterns, change the scale so they don't compete.

How do I stop tights from laddering?
Trim your nails, remove sharp jewellery, put them on gently and avoid rough surfaces. Washing them in a mesh bag also helps.

What's the difference between tights and stockings?
Tights cover the whole leg up to the waist, while stockings usually stop at the thigh. Knee high socks end at the knee.

Find your pair

Explore our full range of women's tights, or start with our funky tights.

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Related guides

• Timeless Vintage Paisley Tights: how to wear vintage and paisley prints.
• Tartan and Plaid Tights Guide: outfit ideas for checks and plaid.
• Funky Tights and Goth Tights: how to style bold graphic prints.
• How to Wear Knee High Socks and Tights: outfit ideas for socks and stockings.