From Paris to NYC, legs are having a fashion moment.
2025 is bringing the drama below the hemline. Sheer, patterned, and lace tights are dominating runways across the globe. And, trust us, this is no fleeting trend. Designers are doubling down on legwear as an essential styling piece, proving once and for all that hosiery is not just a layer. Hosiery is the look.
At Stems, we’ve always believed in luxury for legs. And this year, the fashion world agrees.
Here’s your all-access pass to the top runway trends in tights for 2025, and exactly how to wear them in real life.
The Revival of Sheer: Barely There, Fully Intentional
Designers like Miu Miu, Saint Laurent, and Coperni send models down the runway in whisper-sheer tights—sometimes styled under tailored suits, other times layered under slinky slip dresses. These aren’t your mother’s pantyhose; they are sleek, styled, and completely reinvented.
How to Wear It
- For daytime: Try Avery Sheer 10 Tights under a structured mini and blazer. For a polished look, we recommend pairing it with flats.
- For evening: Layer sheer tights under a slip dress and pair them with minimal heels (the barely-there type).
- For work: Opt for sheer black tights with a tailored pencil skirt and pointed pumps.
Playing with Pattern: From Graphic to Abstract
Runways are buzzing with pattern. Chanel gives us delicate dots. Dior experiments with baroque-inspired motifs. Valentino sends geometric legs under oversized outerwear. Patterned tights are the new print dress—unexpected, expressive, and the focal point of the look.
How to Wear It
- Start small: Try Chevron Fishnet Tights with an all-black look and classic loafers.
- Go bold: Style floral or animal print tights under a neutral trench with heels.
- Keep it clean: Let patterned tights shine with solid separates (no competing prints here).
Lace Everything: Romantic, Sultry, and Elevated
Lace tights are officially back, but with a modern twist. On the runways, lace is paired with oversized silhouettes, masculine tailoring, and edgy accessories. The result? A perfect balance between softness and strength.
How to Wear It
- Pair Wild Flower Lace Tights with a leather mini and an oversized knit sweater.
- Style lace tights under a silk slip. Finish with a longline blazer.
- Add contrast by pairing romantic lace with combat boots or chunky sneakers.
Tights as Texture (Not Just Color or Coverage)
Designers are treating legwear like fabric, adding texture through ribbing, shimmer threads, embroidery, and even velvet. Think tactile. Think dimensional. Tights are no longer the afterthought… they’re the anchoring textile of the outfit.
How to Wear It
- Pair ribbed tights with oversized wool coats.
- Use metallic-thread tights under dark layers (for subtle sparkle).
- For a mixed-and-matched look, combine textured tights with silky skirts or denim.
The Monochrome Moment: Match Your Tights to Your Look
Tonal dressing has moved from head-to-toe beige to something much cooler. We’re talking matching your tights to your entire outfit. Designers like The Row and Ferragamo show tonal tights in rich hues: chocolate on chocolate, navy on navy, burgundy with berry.
How to Wear It
Consider a fun combination. Here’s some inspiration:
- Burgundy tights with a deep wine-colored dress
- Navy tights with slate outerwear and cobalt accents
- Olive green tights with a khaki trench and taupe shoes
Styling Tips to Make Runway Trends Work for Real Life
The 2025 runway gave us lace, shimmer, sheer drama, and unapologetic pattern. But let’s be real: we’re not strutting through Paris Fashion Week on a Tuesday afternoon. So how do you take those editorial leg moments and make them wearable?
Bold tights don’t have to live on the runway. Here’s how to bring the look to your sidewalk.
Let Your Tights Do the Talking
If your tights are loud (and proud), let the rest of your outfit listen. For example, pair bold floral tights with a solid shift dress in black. Let red tights ground a monochrome look (like a black turtleneck + mini skirt combo).
Layer with Classic Staples
The easiest way to tone down high-impact tights? Pair them with tried-and-true silhouettes. Go for pieces like…
- Oversized blazers
- Structured coats
- Button-down shirts
- Midi slip skirts
- Simple crewneck sweaters
These grounding layers add balance, keeping your tights from feeling too “costume-y.”
Match the Mood, Not Just the Outfit
Styling is about energy. Wearing delicate sheer tights? Go soft and romantic with satin or silk. Wearing bold fishnets or geometric prints? Add leather, denim, or boxy tailoring for a fashion-forward vibe.
Stick to One Color Family (When in Doubt)
Color-blocking is fun, but it’s also easy to go overboard. When unsure, keep your tights and outfit within the same tonal family.
Some example combinations are…
- Chocolate lace tights + tan trench + camel boots
- Navy fishnets + slate skirt + periwinkle knit
- Burgundy floral tights + berry dress + wine loafers
Dress Them Down with Flat Shoes
One of the easiest ways to bring runway tights into your daily life? Pair them with flat footwear. This keeps the look approachable. For example, try loafers with sheer black tights; ankle boots with patterned mesh; and ballet flats with colored tights.
Confidence is the Final Layer
No runway trend works if you feel uncomfortable in it. So choose tights that feel like you—just dialed up a notch. If it makes you feel powerful, fun, or fearless... you’re already wearing it right.
Ready to Nail that Sheer Tights Look?
The 2025 runway made one thing clear: Legs are in. Whether sheer, patterned, or lace-trimmed, tights are no longer the supporting act; they’re the star of the show.
So go bold. Go sheer. Go soft or structured. But whatever you do, don’t play small.
At Stems, we’re here to outfit your legs in luxury—because the best fashion moments start from the ground up.
Luxury for Legs. Always.
