As any lover of fashion well knows, there exists an entire library of styling tweaks, ideas and cues that can instantly take an outfit from mundane to magic, from run-of-the-mill to racy. This can be anything from the way a belt is double-wrapped around the waist (over, not under, a blazer!) to how to wear fishnet stockings in an unexpected way.
Indeed, it is often the smallest, seemingly insignificant details that can yield the biggest results. And on the surface at least, few details would seem to be less significant than one’s choice of hosiery. But oh, how wrong this thinking would be!
Even though they’ve been around for centuries (early examples exist from the early 1500s), fishnet tights have somehow managed to retain an air of the risqué about them. With their small, diamond-shaped holes, they caused a frisson of excitement when donned by 1930s burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee, and were the epitome of glamour on 1950s bombshell Jayne Mansfield. In the hands of the English punks in the late 1970s, ripped and distressed pairs of fishnet stockings became another symbol of rebellion. It’s safe to say that these are far from your average pair of pantyhose.
Now they’ve been reinvented once again as a piece to be worn under jeans and trousers. Suddenly it’s all about a tantalising flash of fishnet. Here’s what you should know before attempting the fishnet tight trend.
The right foundation
The fishnet under jeans trend is a style moment that almost no one saw coming. And yet there it is, showing up on the street and in social media feeds since spring 2016, in what is possibly the ultimate game of fashion peek-a-boo. There are a few ways to work it, from the loud to the ladylike. On the demurer end of the spectrum, try layering your fishnets so that only a sliver peeks out from below a pair of jeans; a straight or relaxed leg that’s cropped at the ankle works best. Complete the look with a pair of block-heeled pumps or ankle boots that are cut low in the front – all the better to maximise your fishnet exposure.
For a more brazen approach to how to wear fishnet stockings, consider a pair with a wider hole worn under jeans with rips at the knees. Alternatively, pull the waistband of the tights up high so that it sits above the top of your jeans and, if you’re really daring, tuck a T-shirt into the entire ensemble. Play up the punk leanings of this rebellious look by wearing it with chunky combat boots.
Step back in time
It’s no coincidence that the idea of wearing fishnet tights and combat boots sounds like a throwback to 1990s riot grrrl style. As the most recent decade to have embraced fishnets, the current style iteration certainly reflects the 90s trajectory fashion has taken.
Look to young street-style aficionados of today, who have infused their fishnet stockings outfits ideas with a retro spirit by wearing them under a slip-dress-and-T-shirt combination. The decade’s signature minimalism means colour should be kept to a minimum, but consider experimenting with textures, such as the contrast of velvet or silk slip dresses and baby ribbed T-shirts against the fishnet tights.
Punk attitude
Speaking of textural contrast, another way to layer your fishnet tights is to swap out denim jeans for black leather trousers; a slightly baggy or wider-leg pair works best. There’s a hint of vintage Debbie Harry to this look, so don’t be afraid to follow that New Wave reference point through with a pair of peep-toe stiletto pumps; the once-taboo idea of exposing the toe of a pair of tights only enhances the attitude. This was a strong look on the streets outside the AW17 European shows and, for a real twist, it was worn with ladylike pussy bow blouses to balance out the edginess of the bottom half.
Size matters
It’s not only a matter of how to wear fishnet stockings, but also which pair to choose. This time around, they are almost exclusively black; flesh-coloured or bright pairs just don’t have the same impact. Then, it’s a matter of how wide the diamond-shaped netting should be. As a general guide, a wide hole works best for creating a tougher, edgier look, while a finer knit is demurer. Consider both under pencil skirts with a thigh-high split on one side, another popular way to try the fishnet tight trend. A finer pair of tights looks right for daytime, teamed with a blouse and blazer, while the wider knit is spot-on for evening, worn with more dramatic wrapped tops. The details make all the difference here and are your fast track to scoring a sartorial hole in one.