- Red has been a trending color for much of 2023, and it's not going anywhere in 2024.
- Bold red tights have been a popular runway trend, but styling them in real life can be challenging.
Red tights are in, and not just for costume parties.
The rise of the "tomato girl summer" and "cherry girl fall" trends earlier this year saw bright-red clothing and accessories seep into our closets.
Erin Eagle, a stylist and the founder of A Style Set, told Business Insider that red is here to stay as we head into 2024.
Red tights, in particular, have been all over the runway in 2023, "so it's not surprising that they're everywhere now," Eagle said.
Stylist Liz Teich noted that this isn't the first time we've seen this trend. Gossip Girl fans might remember that the leading character, Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), sported red tights throughout the CW show. Teich added that this time around, though, the trend is more "sophisticated and elevated."
Eagle said red tights add individuality to an outfit, and statement shoes and fun hair accessories can serve the same purpose.
If you want a pair, the stylists recommended Wolford and Calzedonia as the best brands for ladder-free tights.
And since red tights can be difficult to wear, the stylists weighed in on how to incorporate them into your wardrobe.
Pair red tights with black
The stylists agreed the best way to style the trend realistically is as a "pop of color" with an all-black look.
"A cherry-red pair of tights with an oversized black blazer, miniskirt, and black heels" would make for an elevated look, said Eagle.
And if the trend feels "too daring," Teich said, you can always ease into it with red socks paired with loafers. This is still on trend but "more subtle than the look-at-me red tights," she added.
Or go for a monochromatic look
Teich said the trick with styling red tights is to make them the focal point of your outfit.
A monochromatic look is another way to make a statement, according to the stylist — "think red dress and red shoes," she said.
This has been a popular look over the decades. For example, Princess Diana wore a totally red outfit — complete with red tights — on an official visit to Florence, Italy, in 1985.
Incorporating red tights in monochromatic ensembles was also popular this fall, with celebrities like actor Beatrice Grannò and British TV personality Rochelle Humes embracing the trend.
If the monochromatic look is too bold for you, it doesn't mean putting your other red accessories in storage, Eagle said.
You can still add more red to your outfit strategically by focusing on texture, she said, adding that it's a great way to add dimension. For example, you don't need to wear all red, but you could pair sheer tights with a patent red shoe.
However you choose to wear the color red, it's not going anywhere so you have plenty of time to experiment.