Fashionable and Fun Stockings
Fashionable and fun stockings have been hitting the streets with a force for the past few seasons, making it easier than ever to have a rocking outfit on a regular basis. Stores like American Apparel and Urban Outfitters and online retailers such as ModCloth showcase a wide variety of stockings for any occasion. Such stockings are easy enough to pair with any outfit since they come in various colors, patterns, and fabrics.
When shopping for stockings it is important to keep three things in mind: personal style, fabric quality, and price range.
1. Spicing up your outfit doesn't have to mean abandoning your personality.
If you like to stay ultra-feminine, try a sheer stocking with a floral pattern. For day-time events, go for a stocking in a hue close to your skin color. For a night out, try a more saturated hue. Sheer black can be classic or edgy or both, depending on the rest of your attire. For inspiration, check out the "Burnout Floral Tights" sold on UrbanOutfitters.com.
Stockings with geometric patterns have become increasingly popular in the past few months. Geometry can be both extremely flattering and pleasantly surprising. American Apparel features stocking patterns such as horizontal stripes of sheer and opaque fabric, opaque zigzags that climb the outside leg of a sheer stocking, and of course, fishnets. Depending on the color of your stockings (available in hues from nude to neon green) you can make your stockings the focal point of your outfit or the subtle complement.
For the adventurous dresser, Look From London makes a variety of opaque stockings with colorful designs such as peacock feathers. For women who prefer classic solids, American Apparel and Spanx by Sarah Blakely both make high-quality sheer and opaque stockings in many colors.
2. It’s important to scrutinize the quality of your stockings before purchasing them.
Stockings can be temperamental; from runs to rips there always a possibility that you'll have to buy a new pair of stockings sooner than you would like. Sometimes, it’s worth it to spend the extra money on stockings made from high-quality fabric so that they will last you through a few seasons. Spanx sells a smaller variety of stockings but their quality is nearly unbeatable. American Apparel also sells well-made stockings and their collection is perhaps the most comprehensive of any brand.
3. High-quality stockings can be priced at up to $30.00, but it's also possible to find them at a drugstore for roughly $5.99. How much should you spend?
When you pay $30.00 for a pair of stockings, make sure you're getting a high-quality brand like Spanx or American Apparel. For people who desire a one-time experiment with a pattern or a color, try shopping at ModCloth or Urban Outfitters. Both companies sell a wide variety of stockings of good quality at reasonable prices (approximately $15.00/pair).
Stockings are a great addition to any outfit, weather permitting. Draw attention to your legs with an interesting pattern or a bright color to make a powerful and fun appearance for any occasion.
