I assumed pantyhose had been lifeless, however now they appear to be handled like actual pants. Are we actually alleged to consider that the pantyhose as a substitute of pants look I noticed on social media will turn out to be a pattern? And I feel leggings are horrible. — Susan, Vancouver, British Columbia

It is true: tights (one of many least interesting names for a garment ever invented) have been on the rise for a couple of seasons, however as girls who aren’t members of the British royal household shed a few of their extra widespread constraints, even Tights have nearly utterly disappeared from many wardrobes. The gown codes of the final century are surprising.

Invented in 1959 Known as “trouser legs” by Allen Gant Sr., pantyhose could have revolutionized fundamental clothes, eliminating belts, garters and stockings, however by the flip of the millennium, individuals had been capable of Say “no” to sporting leggings. Flesh-sucking see-through tights, then worrying about ugly obstacles and working round, are symbols of liberation. The style world is so obsessive about the tip of pantyhose that editors went to reveals in February with naked legs and heels, and oh my god, it snowed.

Then, in September 2022, Bottega Veneta’s Matthieu Blazy debuted a navy crewneck worn solely with darkish stockings and heels. Only a few months later, Miuccia Prada primarily ditched pants and skirts at her Miu Miu present, subversively pairing her librarian cardigans and floppy polo collars with sheer stockings and matching underwear. A vibe was born. Or rebirth.

In fact, Mrs. Prada did not invent the trouserless swimsuit—the look was popularized by Edie Sedgwick when she was an Andy Warhol vogue lady, sporting Black leggings and boat-neck T-shirt bouncing across the manufacturing unit (1965, way of life journal This may increasingly have been a reference when Emma Corrin (then the It persona) ended the Miu Miu fall present sporting a camel turtleneck, gold glitter bikini bottoms and sheer brown stockings.

It is no marvel that the viewers at Miu Miu’s spring 2024 present earlier this month was full of shirtless influencers all vying for the title of “It Woman.” Or reasonably, the fashion to date has been adopted by Kendall Jenner (who fashions Bottega appears to be like in actual life) and Rihanna (who wore no pants to ASAP Rocky’s party in only a ruffled chiffon Tops, bomber jackets and glossy leggings) worn by figures equivalent to.

That stated, Rihanna is Rihanna, and most of the people residing in the true world would by no means be keen to surrender pants in favor of leggings or pantyhose. However take into account that excessive runway vogue has a manner of seeping into on a regular basis life and turning into digestible, and take into account that Miuccia Prada has a expertise for turning at this time into one thing everybody will put on tomorrow, not in pants however in pantyhose ‘s look could nicely find yourself resulting in a trend-setting renaissance of pantyhose.

Actually, within the closing spherical of the Fall 2023 present, Virginie Viard paired a white lace bodysuit with practically each look on the Chanel runway. Boss, Dolce & Gabbana, LaQuan Smith and Saint Laurent all featured sheer black tights paired with pencil skirts and cocktail clothes.

That is all excellent news for anybody who appreciates the smoothing, polished impact sheer tights have on the legs, to not point out the added bonus of just a little heat when the temperatures drop. However personally, I feel they might be extra well-liked if somebody got here up with a greater identify.

Your fashion questions answered

Every week, Vanessa solutions fashion-related questions from readers on Open Thread, which you’ll be at liberty to ship her by way of: e-mail or Twitter. Questions have been edited and condensed.