If you're simultaneously obsessed with the latest micro-trends and too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration focused on current trends that feel intriguing yet overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.
Even the chicest outfits can fall flat sometimes if they're missing a certain level of oomf. Everything about them can be perfect, from the fit to the color combinations and so on, but without that finishing touch that ties it all together, the sartorial spark will never light. And right now, the easiest and most cost-effective way to fire up your outfits is with hosiery. Yes, I said hosiery, and no, I don't mean pantyhose.
From red and burgundy tights to knee-high sheer socks, the world of hosiery is one full of possibilities. And of all the leg décor that's trending among fashion people this year, the style making the most significant impact by far is fishnets. Once considered tacky and more than a touch costumey, in recent seasons, the latticed tights have received a dressed-up makeover, with brands such as Gucci, Tory Burch, and Victoria Beckham pairing them with elegant dresses and separates, adding a touch of intrigue to every combination. They balance out any outfit, ensuring that no ensemble ever risks being called boring.
Because of their popularity on the runway as well as their affordable nature, fishnets have taken off on IG, with outfits featuring the leg coverings appearing on all of the year's best dressers, from editors to stylists to influencers. On their feeds, you'll find fishnets styled underneath skirts, dresses, trousers, and jeans, worn with boots and heels alike and even accessorized with anklets on top for added flavor. Really, as weird as it sounds, the tights we all once cringed at kind of go with everything.
Since I can only assume that many of you aren't quite convinced that wearing fishnets with *everything* is feasible, I challenged myself to do just that, styling my favorite $15 pair of micro-net tights from Calzedonia in four ways, all of which can be easily replicated with pieces that already live in your closet, including slip dresses, midi skirts, jeans, and more. Scroll down to see how I did. Hell, maybe once you see my methods for wearing the cheap and easy trend, you'll be willing to give fishnets another chance.
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4 ways to wear fishnets:
By far, the easiest way to style fishnets if you're going into the trend a bit hesitant is to wear something with them that allows for the tights to only peek out a tiny bit. Here, I styled a midi-length denim Khaite skirt with an off-the-shoulder top, a long winter coat, and knee-high stiletto boots. That way, you could really only spot the lattice print when I walked and the slit in my skirt opened up. Though subtle, the difference they make to the look is significant in that it would otherwise be slightly boring given its monochrome black palette. The hosiery makes the ensemble feel 10 times more intentional.
Wearing: Abercrombie & Fitch Cotton-Modal Ruched Off-the-Shoulder Top ($21); COS Oversized Double-Breasted Wool Coat ($390); Khaite skirt; Calzedonia Micronet Tights ($15); Tanner Goods Meridian Belt ($92); Jimmy Choo boots
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Once you've dipped your toes in the fishnet pond, you can start to get a bit daring with the hosiery. Here, I took a cue from Gucci's F/W 23 show styling by pulling up my fishnets so that they show above the waistband of my pants, which the brand did with colorful tights options and midi skirts. My route was a bit tamer, with vintage-wash jeans, black wedges, a white tee, and my favorite velvet jacket of the holiday season, a peplum silhouette from Liberowe. By going simple with the look, my fishnets really stand out, becoming the focal point of the entire outfit.
Wearing: Madewell Softfade Cotton Perfect Vintage Tee ($21); Liberowe Velvet Peplum Jacket ($2200); Calzedonia Micronet Tights ($15); AG Kora High Waist Wide Leg Jeans ($225); Prada shoes; IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 ($11,700)
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For a dressier occasion that could easily be stuffy without the right accessories, throw on some fishnets with your long dress or gown. Though they'll only peek out of the bottom, their unexpected presence will edge up even the most formal of ensembles. For this look, I styled a navy-blue Massimo Dutti slip gown with a Liberowe blazer and Prada kitten heels. Furthermore, I love how the navy and black contrast, adding even more grunge to the otherwise very dressed-up outfit.
Wearing: Liberowe Raja Velvet-Trimmed Wool Jacket ($1750); Massimo Dutti dress; Prada Brushed Leather Pumps ($1390); Tory Burch Lee Radziwill Leather Cat Eye Bag ($419); IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 ($11,700); Linda Farrow Cara Oval Acetate Sunglasses ($179); Calzedonia Micronet Tights ($15)
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One major pro of wearing fishnets is how they can transform an otherwise summery piece and make it instantly appropriate for the colder months. Sure, they won't provide warmth per se, but here you can see that just by throwing them on, I was able to pull this white, lightweight skirt out of my summer storage and wear it in the middle of December. With the skirt, which is from one of COS's past Atelier collections, I added my go-to COS coat, fishnets, and suede Khaite pumps, adding some color with this green Prada Supernova bag.
Wearing: COS The Flared Silk Skirt ($250) and Oversized Double-Breasted Wool Coat ($390); DISSH Sienna Knit Tank ($70); Linda Farrow Cara Oval Acetate Sunglasses ($179); Calzedonia Micronet Tights ($15); Khaite shoes
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