Death of the Sheer Stocking

Pity the poor sheer stocking! Once an essential glamour girl accessory (ok, this may have been some time ago now…), this semi-transparent style of hosiery has fallen out of favor in recent years, as everyone (ourselves included) favored dense, high denier, opaque tights. After many seasons of being pushed aside and shoved back into the proverbial sock drawer, this spring we’re welcoming back our fragile friends, as sheer tights have officially returned.

The runways of Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Karl Lagerfeld, and Derek Lam were a study in gauzy gams, as designers sent out their models in see-though stockings galore. We’ve also seen several celebrities embrace the translucent trend; Kate Hudson wore gossamer gray tights to a Dolce & Gabbana party in December, Lily Allen went for a delicate dark version a few weeks ago at the Luella F/W 08 show in London, and Rihanna sported a sheer style last week at the Galliano show in Paris.

Many companies make sheer tights, but the ones worth saving for are from Fogal. Of the scads of styles available from the luxury hosiery maker, there are three we’re specifically fond of: Cordoba, Finesse, and Catwalk.

• The Cordoba style have a skinny seam up the back (subtle and sexy, our favorite) and are made from an ultra fine mesh that, in some small way, reminds us of ballet tights.

• The Finesse stockings are another excellent choice. They have exactly the right amount of sheerness, but are still strong and keep your legs firmly sheathed. The Finesse also come in a tremendous array of colors including dove gray, indigo blue, grass green, hot pink, and a pretty prune shade.

• Fogal’s Catwalk hosiery are our final fantastic find. We’re aspiring collectors of the 10 denier sheer tights, particularly the seamed version! Ooh la la!

Not only do the look the biz, they echo they glamour and chic of the twenties, and when paired with some other lovely retro modern accessories like the new season D&G coats, and some Fairmont or Sheldrake specs from Oliver Peoples sunglasses, it is just the height of cool.