While revisiting the latest Chanel collections by Virginie Viard, I couldn’t help but notice a recurring theme in the Maison’s ready-to-wear and couture lines: white tights. Whether they’re lace or opaque, worn with skirts or dresses, paired with knee-high patent leather boots, white ballet flats, or black peep-toe sandals, white tights add a chic and sophisticated touch without going overboard—and that’s exactly what we adore ;)!
They might seem a bit daunting at first (they remind me of Blair Waldorf’s fabulous outfits in Gossip Girl), but white tights are surprisingly easy to bring into your wardrobe. You might just need a sprinkle of inspiration to get started. So, to give you a friendly nudge, I’ve gathered a selection of the most stunning looks from Chanel’s runway shows over the past few years and some fabulous street styles from Paris Fashion Week. You’ll see that these tights can be styled in so many ways. And this autumn and winter, they’ll even let you bring out your favorite dresses and skirts already hanging in your closet, giving them a fresh and totally new vibe!
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1. The All-White Look
First up, why not try wearing them in an all-white ensemble, just like Chanel does! In this look, I absolutely love the detail of those pretty black peep-toe sandals. To recreate this outfit, opt for a little white tweed dress like this one I adore from Sandro, which you can pair with opaque white tights like these 50 Denier total comfort tights from Calzedonia. Finish off the look with a pair of black velvet heeled sandals like these from Gianvito Rossi or these velvet platform sandals from Jimmy Choo—both currently on sale. That said, this look might be more suited for a night out rather than daytime—unless you’re feeling daring enough to stroll the streets in a spotless outfit. To be honest, I’m not sure I’d have the courage to wander around Paris or Bordeaux dressed head-to-toe in white ;)!
2. The Classic Little Black Dress
Next up, why not pair them with a classic little black dress? To keep the look harmonious, choose opaque white tights or slightly sheer ones like the 20 Denier ultra comfort tights from Calzedonia, so they blend nicely with the black of the dress. It’s a fantastic way to refresh all your dresses this season: evening minis (I’m absolutely in love with this little black tweed dress from Sandro that I bought this year) and long daytime dresses (think long black knit dresses like the lovely Harper dress from Sézane).
3. Autumn Colors
White tights look absolutely fabulous with autumn colors like dark green, camel, brown, terracotta, or even one of my favorites this season: burgundy—and don’t forget navy blue! To elevate and add a touch of chic to a daytime outfit, why not try white lace tights like these gorgeous Rose fishnet tights by Wolford or the Floral fishnet tights by Calzedonia paired with a long knit dress (have you seen this stunning Erine knit dress from Sézane?). When it comes to shoes, you’ve got plenty of options: you can choose loafers (flat or heeled), ballet flats, or patent leather boots (see my latest post on fall shoes for more inspiration).
4. Black Pants
Another option that works just as well: white knee-highs worn under black tailored pants. Sure, the look in the photo above is more of an evening style, but it can easily be reinvented for daytime wear. Grab a pair of black jeans like these flared corduroy jeans from the Parisian brand Gerard Darel (like Sézane, this brand runs small, so I’d suggest going up a size from your usual), pair them with white knee-highs like these 60 Denier microfiber knee-highs from Calzedonia, and finish off with some black loafers or white leather ballet flats (I love these Chloé Marcie leather ballet flats). These white knee-highs also look great with slightly cropped jeans like these mid-rise straight-leg jeans from Massimo Dutti that I bought and absolutely love! In short, white knee-highs let you reinvent the classics already hanging in your closet :). Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments below—has this inspired you to wear white tights this winter?
Bonjour! I’m Léonce, the founder of Léonce Chenal, a blog dedicated to French fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. I’m French and launched Léonce Chenal in 2018 while working as a data analyst in London, inspired to share my love of effortless French style. After living in Paris, London, and Amsterdam, I’ve now settled in the beautiful city of Bordeaux. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me baking pâtisseries, exploring hidden museums, or on the hunt for the perfect perfume.
Super nice post, thanks! I love that making a small investment in socks/tights can change a whole look and makes it fun to put together new outfits with existing pieces. This very much fits with the ethos of buying quality and trying to be sustainable, while enabling novelty and creativity.
Thank you so much, Ashley! I’m glad you enjoyed the post :)!