It’s a trend that has been growing and developing for quite some time now, but the simple fact of the matter is that suspender tights are massively in this season. Suspender tights, also called mock suspender tights or mock stocking tights, are tights that are designed to look as if you are wearing a pair of stockings with suspenders. That means that they usually have an opaque or patterned section up to just above your knees, and then are nude or tan except for a styled on set of “suspenders” that connect the lower section to the waist of the tights themselves. Some might ask why bother – if you’re going to look like you’re wearing suspenders and stockings, why not just wear them? But it’s winter, it’s cold, and in all honestly there’s something about all and out stockings and suspenders that just goes a little bit too far down the raunchy spectrum for everyday wear!
Mock stocking tights are convenient because, as the website of brand Henry Holland puts it, you get “all the comfort of a pair of tights, but oozing with the sex appeal of suspenders”. Whilst celebrities like Rihanna and Katy Perry can get away with sporting stockings and suspenders as part of their performance ensemble, for the rest of us we need a more demure alternative. When Lily Allen first wore a pair of mock stockings way back in October 2009, she may not have realised that she was at the start of a huge fashion trend. Since then, other celebrities who prefer a more subtle look have been spotted wearing similar designs, including Pixie Lott who wore a pair at V Festival earlier this year, and Jessie J who wore them for her appearance at 2011′s Brit Awards.
Lily Allen was at the start of a new trend when she was snapped wearing these simple suspender tights in 2009.
Lily Allen was at the start of a new trend when she was snapped wearing these simple suspender tights in 2009.
This style of tights combines some of the most popular trends currently ruling the world of fashion – firstly, lovely legs are 100% in. Short skirts or shorts with a lot of leg on show is a favourite look for 2011, but there are practicalities to consider when the weather gets colder. Another big trend of the season is underwear as outerwear, and the sexy lingerie-esque feel of mock stockings captures this perfectly. Fetish and bondage inspired trends (moderated for everyday wear, of course) are another element of the style. Finally, the idea of trompe l’oeil fashion, French for deceiving the eye, has been consistently popular all summer and carried over to fall fashion. Trompe l’oeil fashion utilises illusion and visual deception in order to make something appear in such a way as it is not – for example, as if you’re wearing sexy stockings and suspenders when actually you’re wearing a pair of comfy tights.
The Henry Holland Super Suspenders are the simplest and most popular design of suspender tights.
The most popular range of mock stocking tights to have been developed is that of Henry Holland, in conjunction with Pretty Polly. Everywhere you look for opinions on mock suspenders you will find some references to the Henry Holland brand, which are worn by celebrities and the general public alike when they decide to sport this trend. One thing to remember is that, as with most elements of slightly risqué fashion, what other items you choose to combine with your suspender tights is extremely important. As long as you wear them with confidence, no one will mess with you. As Jillian Gillogley of wowdewow.co.uk rightly suggests, “putting on a pair of tights in the new bare leg”. Henry Holland’s range of suspender tights are available from many different retailers, or you can shop directly from the brand website at http://shop.houseofholland.co.uk/collections/tights.
Sources and Further Information:
Lily Allen reveals her racy suspenders on a knees-up with her boyfriend at The Daily Mail
Henry Holland suspender tights at HenryHollandTights.co.uk
Tricky trend: Suspender tights at mystreetchic.com
Showing a Lotta thigh at wowdewow.co.uk