How do you rock the leggy Gen Z trend celebs over 50 are loving this winter?
LAST week, Kendall Jenner announced her collaboration with hosiery brand Calzedonia.
The 6-foot model’s long legs were encased in sheer polka dot tights, a trend that fashion bible Vogue declared was officially coming back in December last year.
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Fast forward almost a full year ago Vogue’s statementand the trend (which many Boomers and Gen X have fond memories of from the 1970s and 1980s) has taken Gen Z by storm.
Gen Zers are leading fashion trends by using social media to quickly create and spread fads.
As a result, the global hosiery market is growing at an annual rate of 4.5% and is expected to reach £80.3 billion by 2032. Allied market research.
“In recent years there has been a significant resurgence in tights among Generation Z,” says Alison Lowe, MBA Fashion Entrepreneurship program leader at the University of East London.
“This is driven by a nostalgic fascination with vintage fashion.”
However, it’s not ONLY the younger generation who are rocking the sheer tights.
Singer Louise Redknapp showed off her legs in opaque tights AND stockings to mark her 50th birthday on Instagram this week.
Model Cindy Crawford, 58, has channeled her Nineties style by wearing ultra-fine tights on the red carpet in recent years, as has Victoria Beckham, 50, with some lace pairs.
Shirley Ballas is also no stranger to Strictly this season.
The 64-year-old, who split from her toyboy fiance this week, even adorned a glittery pair wearing nothing but a leotard and thigh-high boots for last weekend’s show.
Despite these women leading the trend, fashion experts have noted that most women over 50 are reluctant to don opaque tights.
Common concerns include the lack of coverage, legs not being as thin as they were in their 20s and feeling like they are “mutton dressed as lamb.”
This is made worse by adult content creators and social media users urging women over 50 to stop wearing sheer pantyhose.
“Sheer tights have been very old-fashioned for a long time,” one mother claimed on Mumsnet last winter.
A brief history of opaque tights
Narrated by Alison Lowe, fashion consultant and MBA Fashion Entrepreneurship program leader at the University of East London.
Opaque tights first became mainstream in the 1960s, coinciding with the rise of miniskirts championed by designers like Mary Quant.
Practical yet stylish, the trend continued to appeal into the 1970s and 1980s and was embraced by icons of the punk and grunge scene, including Madonna.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, opaque tights began to fade away as bare legs and sheer stockings came to the fore.
However, in recent years there has been a significant revival among Generation Z, driven by a nostalgic fascination with vintage fashion.
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“I’d love to be thin enough to wear tights with a dress, but I look like a sheep dressed as a lamb,” moaned another.
Your TikTok-addicted Gen Z daughter may have started wearing opaque tights after seeing her favorite influencer promoting them.
However, this shouldn’t stop you from slipping your legs into a pair.
Alison says the trend is even ideal for women over 50 who want to add “sophistication” AND a “slimming effect” to their wardrobe.
Toe-tally on trend
“The key is confidence and a bit of balance in your look,” she advises.
“I would recommend going for opaque tights in deep, rich shades such as black or navy blue.
“These colors also have the added benefit of having a refined and slimming effect.
“You can also pair opaque tights with a knee-length dress or a fitted skirt, so you find a balance between looking elegant but also trendy.”
However, Alison did warn that some tweaks to the trend could leave you looking like mutton dressed as lamb.
“I would avoid overly sheer or bright patterns unless you’re pairing your look with neutral, classic pieces to maintain a chic look that isn’t too ‘in your face,'” she said.
“If you’re not sure about the look, start with tights with a light matte finish.
“This adds a subtle texture to your look without drawing too much attention.”
