Would You Wear Lace Tights?

Jul 21, 2008 @ 1:21pm

nicole miller lace tights.jpg Prada just filled their Soho store windows with lace, and we're officially ready for Fall.

We expect to see the feminine fabric everywhere come September - whether it's a bodysuit peeking out from under a tank a la Charlotte Ronson or an entire dress - but we can't really get a handle on lace tights.

They popped up under dresses at Chanel and Nicole Miller last February and Kova & T, maker of famous latex leggings, just released these.

We know they want to be sexy - they're trying desperately to be hot - but we just see Madonna circa Like a Virgin and it looks, dare we say it - trashy?

What exactly would you wear them with?

If, of course, you'd wear them in the first place...

posted by guest

Jul 21, 2008 1:23PM

VERY madonna!

although usually i am not a fan of 80s trends, i think this could be done ok.

it's kinda disturbing/funny/sad/typical that the "new" trend is just what was already done 25 years ago.

posted by swissmiss

Jul 21, 2008 1:29PM

<3 it!

posted by guest

Jul 21, 2008 1:32PM

I used to wear these tights every day a few years ago!

I wore mine with short skirts and dresses. Usually stuff that was a bit more masculine-looking (read: no florals) to balance it out. They would look cute with Doc Martins!

They actually aren't that jarring when you wear them. At least no more shocking than some bright tights.

posted by helene

Jul 21, 2008 1:34PM

I'm thinking with a very girly, feminine dress. Or something pastel! That's another big trend for fall!

posted by guest

Jul 21, 2008 1:51PM

I have an amazing custom-made 50's cocktail dress that I basically stole from my favorite Vintage store. I've been dying to take it for a holiday party spin, but haven't been able to find the right tights for it. I think that a creamy lace tight would be PERFECT. But, it could veer into little girl territory. We'll see. . .

posted by guest

Jul 21, 2008 1:56PM

Fleur de lis tights/ lace tights will be huge this fall! I just did a vogue tv story with Nicole Miller and her lacey tights were one of the focues! Watch for it on Vogue.tv come september!

posted by sarahnicole

Jul 21, 2008 1:58PM

in autumn, with an oversize cashmere cardigan, black silk slip top, levi's jean shorts and the doc marten mens brogues i just bought.

posted by sarajane

Jul 21, 2008 2:18PM

I will definitely wear lace tights and probably pair them with more masculine, structured dresses and skirts. It can be very boring but I do love all black and I think lace tights can add interest to an all black outfit.

posted by mpw

Jul 21, 2008 2:18PM

No. I think they're tacky.

posted by guest

Jul 21, 2008 2:35PM

i've been doing this since last winter, and it's def do-able, my favorite is some suede booties with an american apparel turtle neck tent dress- i wouldn't dare do it with something overtly feminine- lace is all the girlie-ness I can handle.
have you ladies forgotten about blair's eyelet white dress with black lace tights early last season? (dammit, i just confessed to memorizing GG outfits...)

posted by guest

Jul 21, 2008 2:46PM

I think the trick is to make them part of the outfit, not the outfit itself. Use them as an accesory with conservative, well made pieces and they are just a bit more funky/interesting than plain black. Only tacky when you let them take control.

posted by loulouisa

Jul 21, 2008 2:53PM

i've had a pair of lace tights for years, and I wear them once in a while, but have to say they are kinda hard to wear, especially because they don't flatter the leg. I have great legs (if I may say so. they probably are my best asset) and still they make my legs look big.

posted by guest

Jul 21, 2008 2:56PM

I think you just have to be really careful with the length of the skirt. TERRIBLE with short skirts. Can be cute with something a little prudish, librariany. Adds a little naughtiness.

posted by BIBA

Jul 21, 2008 3:22PM

pencil skirt and docs? anyone? bueller?

posted by bastylefilegirl

Jul 21, 2008 3:29PM

Hell yeah! I have to admit I tend to hate lace and frill, but the lace tight would allow me do lace with out looking overly vintage, overly fem. Tights = lace with an edge!

posted by guest

Jul 21, 2008 3:36PM

I was contemplating buying a pair to wear with a conservative cream-colored shift to work. Are lace-tights as "racy" as fishnet stockings for a business-casual environment?

posted by guest

Jul 21, 2008 4:30PM

Poster 16 (thanks for the numbers--love it), I work in a conservative environment, but don't really wear suits. With the funkier tights (really bright colors, fishnets, lace) that I've liked in the past few years, I've worn them with super super conservative skirts and plain heels. It works well and I get compliments from female superiors on looking cute and good, which I think is the barometer, without having any looks. I also make it the main "accessory" of the outfit to avoid too much flash for my workplace. I think there should definitely be a discussion on how to work in trends in conservative workplaces! Because on this site, a lot of the readers work in fashion and can do what they want, and a significant minority of the readers may be in professions where they are lucky enough to afford this stuff but have to be careful on how to work it in to their daily wardrobes.

posted by guest

Jul 21, 2008 5:53PM

I can see them with a t-shirt dress and thigh high boots for August ; )

posted by guest

Jul 21, 2008 5:55PM

if lace tights are something you think you can't do, try wearing them over sheer black tights and you get the texture you want without the outright lace look that might be too much.

posted by Ashley

Jul 21, 2008 6:24PM

thanks #19! that's a good idea, i'm definitely going to try it.

posted by guest

Jul 21, 2008 6:50PM

What Would Blair Waldorf Do?

posted by guest

Jul 21, 2008 10:47PM

I WOULD ABSOLUTELY WEAR THEM.
I was just saying to myself that because the lace trend is so popular for the fall the best way to do it would be with some tights - seriously.
Wear them with a black dress and some over the knee high boots so they just peak out enough - and that would be on a conservative day.

posted by guest

Jul 22, 2008 7:58AM

@#13

Did you go to high school with me? Because I was totally the girl who wore white lace tights with a short pink corduroy skirt, a spiderman t-shirt and combat boots or chucks.

Thankfully, I outgrew all of those clothes (except the combat boots which have totally fallen apart).

posted by guest

Jul 22, 2008 9:01AM

I love lace tights, but only with knee-high boots and a pencil skirt so there is only a bit of lace showing...very discreetly sexy.

posted by guest

Jul 22, 2008 3:55PM

Yes, but I just got them in dark gray rather than black.

posted by guest

Jul 22, 2008 6:09PM

I wore mine last fall a lot.
They will definitely be worn again this fall.

posted by guest

Jul 24, 2008 3:38AM

I think it all depends on the type of lace. There are so many different variations. You could end up looking like a doily or it could look perfect. Either way I don't think they are something to wear lightly and should be thought through. Even so I'll probably be wearing them.