Spells In Stripes And Polka Dots: The Coven's Guide To Technicolour Tights

Autumn. A season of new beginnings, bristling with stoic determination and cold wind. It feels like the start of another New Year—just without the steep incline in glitter eyeliner and sequins. It can also feel like an excuse. An excuse to hide away in 4pm sunsets and woollen jumpers. To bundle yourself up.

By definition, tights are a textbook excuse to stifle any ounce of daring. Or at least, they used to be. With this autumn comes their new, daring evolution. Now nylon is blasting the shelves in a technicolour of shades—apple green, burgundy rich as wine, pink as hot as R-O-A-N. What were once markers of modesty are being reinvented as bold statements of self-expression. Fabrics once dismissed as old-fashioned, gathering dust at the top of your wardrobe, are crawling back to life—lace, velour—all running straight from Steampunk into the closets of the coolest witches in the land.

One of the most important aspects of the ‘whimsigoth-witchcore’ aesthetic is its grounding in the natural world. Respecting and intertwining oneself with nature has been part of witchcraft for as long as it has existed. Familiars—usually stray cats or dogs—accompanied witches daily, helping them collect herbs for medicines and natural ointments. So closely were animals and an interest in the natural world associated with witches that such connections could later be damning for women accused of, and punished for, witchcraft. These traditions have enmeshed themselves with the modern witch—those who try to preserve and care for the natural world.

Tights, notoriously made from nylon, are terrible for sustainability. Prone to ripping, stretching, and tearing, most well-known affordable brands offer little durability, instead encouraging disposal at the first sign of wear. So where can you find options that are still affordable, trendy, and—most importantly—sustainable?

Well, why didn’t you just ask?

Heist
Heist is an online retailer offering a gorgeous array of tights—from classic nude and black to trendy fishnets, stockings, and socks. Prices range from £11–£35, with regular sales and discounts, including 15% off just for signing up! Their pieces are hand-sewn, with adaptive waistbands for comfort without rolling, and made from environmentally sustainable polyamides. They stock sizes from 6–22, ensuring quality and comfort for all body types. After all, there’s nothing sexier than inclusion. We’ve collated some of our favourite pieces below:

• Double Diamond Fishnet Tights – Vintage Ivory

• Eighty Opaque Tights – Various Colours

• Floral Lace Patterned Tights

Pretty Polly
On the more affordable end lies Pretty Polly. All their tights are made with at least 60% recycled materials, and they boast an entire ‘Eco Wear’ collection. They also offer entirely vegan products! Prices range from £2–£20, so there’s a guarantee you’ll get bang for your buck. They also have a Curves range across tights, socks, lingerie—the list goes on. Truly, the choice is endless. Anti-chafe? Got it. Compression and support? Duh.

• Marl Cable Sock Tights – Black/Grey

• Spot Net Tights

Even from our few recommendations, it’s clear that embracing bolder hosiery doesn’t have to be loud and vivacious. It can be subtle, with texture and colour—from a sexy seam up the back of your legs to pale pink polka dots. It can be playful, sophisticated, sexy, fun. You can look like a sixties scream queen or a drop of red wine in a jazz bar. Whatever you want—and that’s the magic of it.

But then again, that can feel a little overwhelming. Where to even begin? So, as well as sourcing some of the best sustainable brands, the coven has scoured the internet (read: Pinterest) to gather a little style inspiration for your fab new hosiery.

All Black, And
Arguably, the easiest way to wear coloured tights is to make them the standout piece against an otherwise monotone outfit. The simplest way to do this is with the classic little black dress, paired with kitten heels or Mary Janes for a more sophisticated look. The beauty of this pairing is that any colour or pattern will look striking—giving you endless options. You can also try layering with different fabrics: think velvet, leather (second-hand or faux), and even corduroy, for a more laid-back look. Top tip: lean into the coloured accessories you already own, choosing tights that coordinate so your outfit flows from head to toe.

Spell of Denim
A common misconception is that coloured tights only work with dressy outfits, and that pairing them casually risks a ‘messy’ look. This, of course, is completely ridiculous. Still, if you’d like to ease yourself in, try them with an autumnal (or, let’s be honest, year-round) Holy Grail—the denim skirt.

Clash Queen
And then there’s my personal favourite way to style technicolour tights: combining them with as many patterns, textures, and silhouettes as your heart desires. Be loud, be playful, be bold. Because what is a witch, if not a total rule-breaker?

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