I think no one does tights quite like us Italians. No wonder Calzedonia, a brand built entirely around them, is a household name worldwide.
So what’s so special about the way we style tights?
That’s exactly what I want to show you today.
If you haven’t spent time looking at people’s legs while walking around Italy (why would you?), you’ve probably missed that there’s an actual formula behind it.
I’m about to reveal it, with 15 real looks straight from Milan’s streets.
Table of Contents
PS: This post includes affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I have or would personally buy.
Shop Classic & Colorful Tights
The Secrets Behind Italian Tights Outfits
If you look at the best Italian tights outfits, which we’re about to do together, you’re going to notice two things:
- There’s more than one formula, but once you understand the difference, you can pick your favorite.
- Each one is done very intentionally.
Let’s talk about this last point for a moment.
If you start looking at the outfits and wonder how they look so striking, almost as if they were a painting, it’s because they actually are. Every detail has been well thought, down to the exact shade of tights and shoes, the print of the coat, and even the shape of the bag.
If you’re thinking that’s too much work for an outfit, I get it. We don’t know who these women are. They might be fashion designers, stylists, fashionistas, or even artists who have an innate gift for pairing color and textures.
That’s where the formulas come in. Once we break down the outfits, and most importantly the tights choice, you’re going to be able to achieve the same impact.
So, let’s do it!
The Formulas, at a Glance
There are two main formulas.
The first focuses on creating contrast, and it’s usually the most striking.
While the second is about using tights to add interest. This can be a little more subtle, but not necessarily.
You’ll see what I mean in a minute.
Contrast Tights Outfits From Milan
If the word contrast got you worrying, don’t. There are many ways to do this, and different levels of impact – from really low to really high.
And you can do that with these different sub-formulas:
1. Contrast Tights
The tights are used to add a contrast to the outfit, whether it’s a classic tonal one, or an already colorful look.
Below are two beautiful examples.
They are both fairly high contrast, but we’re just beginning. There’s so much more impact tights can create.
Now, if you look at these two outfits for a minute (scroll back and look carefully).. can you see how each was put together with intention?
In the first, the true red tights beautifully contrast against the light grey coat, but because grey is a neutral color, they create a visually balanced outfit, even if it’s high contrast. Also, the fact you can see so little, gives you just enough.
The green tights in the second one are actually a complimentary shade to that burgundy/maroon blazer, so while they might look like opposite, and like the green tights are matching nothing else, there’s actually a good reason for them being there. They make the high contrast outfit look more grounded, especially since they are both darker shades.
2. Contrast Shoes
Here, it’s the shoes that create the contrast, and because they take far less visual space, it can be a great place to start playing with your tights outfits.
Here’s what I mean.
This mini formula: tights and slingbacks is one Italian women love dearly. It not only creates such an interesting outfit, but it also lets you wear your slingbacks in fall and winter, depending on how cold it is.
This is a great place to start playing with your tights, because you can choose to add a pop of color with the tights, or the shoes (like in this case).
And you can clearly see that you can do that with any type of shoes, not just slingbacks, and at any age. Older Italian women love styling their tights, and playing with more interesting choices like whites and creams.
Here’s your homework:
If you’re intrigued by styling tights a little differently, put together this outfit. Choose a darker neutral outfit, a pair of dark tights – either matching or in a close shade, and wear your brightest heeled pumps. Pastels work too.
3. Contrast Tights and Shoes
If one is not enough, you can contrast both like in the outfit below!
Well, here’s everything is a contrast but with different levels. The grey tights are definitely the odd color, but because they act as a neutral they work. Of course, you have to have the right personality to wear this look.
The next one is a more toned down because the tights and shoes are in the same color family.
4. Matchy with Different Levels of Contrast
The final sub-formula of the contrast tights formula is to lean into matching your tights. Even here there are many ways to do it, and different contrast levels. I will explain while showing you the looks.
Outfit 1 is very matchy but it is also very high contrast because of the cream and all red, plus the red is really vivid. You could have the same effect but toned down, with all black instead of all red – same for all brue, or all dark green.
Outfit 2 is matchy with a little bit of contast. The grey tights match the grey blazer, the black shoes match the black skirt, and the red bag matches the shirt print. However, the red against the black and grey creates a good amount of contrast.
Outfit 3 is very matchy and also lower in contrast, but not so low that it looks flat.
Finally, I wanted to show you the same outfit from before but styled with lower contrast tights and shoes. It’s that slingback formula we talked about and there’s a lot that matches here. The grey tights compliment the scarf and the coat, and the black shoes match the bag. Yet, this is still enough contrast to make this tights outfit interesting. Do you agree?
And which sub-formula was your favorite?
Italian Tights Outfits That Add Interest
The other formula is a lot less about color, and more about details.
Think textured tights, or even tights with an added design element – like back seam tights.
I also want to feature sheer socks in the mix. I know they are not technically tights, but they look and feel more like tights than socks.
Let’s see the looks.
This is a simple and fairly classic office look, but it doesn’t look simple, does it?
Imagine it with a brown bag and skin color tights. Now, that’s a little flat.
The textured tights and the pop of color with the bag give this work outfit a more modern, youthful vibe.
Of course, you could take it further and add the same pop of color with the shoes, but that would be too much. This is still classic with a moderne edge.
While the outfits are completely different, we can see how in both cases the tights help us achieve the exact look we’re after. This time is edgy with a pop of color, and a little retro. The back seam tights do that perfectly.
And if you’re a little more daring, or just playful, you can try one of the short tights looks below. In Italian, we call them gambaletti.
Here’s why I think these fit this formula well: by breaking the lines of the outfit (you would expect the entire leg to be covered in tights, instead you’re getting just a small portion) it adds interest. And because the sheer socks match the outfit palette, they don’t add much contrast, other than the contrast against the clothes and the skin color. But you’d get that also without tights.
More Italian Fashion Inspiration
Did any of these outfits sell you on a new way to wear tights?
I’d love to know which one did it for you.
For me it was looks 3 and 11.
If you’d like more Italian fashion inspiration, here are a few guides to read next:
The Best Fall Dresses Inspired By Italian Style
Italian Women Style: 20 Pieces To Dress Like An Italian Woman
How To Style A Scarf Like An Italian Woman
I also would like to invite you to join Buona Settimana (my Italian newsletter) through one of the boxes on this page. You’ll get one email every Sunday. We talk about fashion, Italian food, travel, and most importantly – life. I hope to see you there.
Please like and share. Pin it on Pinterest, email it to a friend. It’s the best way to support my work.
Grazie di cuore.
A presto,
Alessia
