The Unexpected Festive Trend That Has Blair Waldorf’s Stamp of Approval

It’s no secret that the color red has slowly but surely taken over our wardrobes this year. Maybe it began with a red purse that was sought out to serve as a trendy pop of color for the fall season or a red sweater to work into your weekly knitwear rotation. As the color continues to reign supreme as this year’s hottest hue, one more unexpected iteration of it has come onto the scene. Enter: red tights.

During this February’s fashion month, the trend was seen on major Fall/Winter 2023 runways—namely Chanel and Hermès—pulling red tights out of 2010’s Gossip Girl episodes and back into the present day. While the trend sounds intimidating, they’re an easy swap from a classic pair of tights and pack a much harder punch—especially for the holiday season.

Even if you’re not sold quite yet, these six outfits will have you tossing your neutral hosiery to the back of your underwear drawer and saying “yes” to red tights all winter long.

Red tights with a mini dress and red shoes

Pairing red tights with a mini dress allows for your stems to shine in all of their fiery glory. Any mini dress in your closet will do, as a neutral color will give the tights a classic, preppy feel—and a patterned one will lean into the playfulness the trend naturally brings. Pair the look with a pair of red shoes for a seamless, never-ending effect that’s worthy of repeating until the first days of spring

J.Crew

Three colors available

Plus-size option available

Red tights peeking out from under a maxi skirt

For a less in-your-face iteration of a red tights look, pair them under a longer silk midi skirt to provide a more subdued effect. The tights will serve as an unexpected pop but will be less of a focal point than they would if you were wearing something shorter. Top off the look with your favorite heels for a party-worthy outfit for the holiday season.

With an all-red outfit

A monochrome look never disappoints, especially if you’re draping yourself in head-to-toe red. Pair a red sweater and midi skirt with a pair of red tights for an editorial-feeling dose of color-coordinating heaven.

Old Navy

Nine colors available

Plus-size option available

Red tights with a mini skirt and sweater

For a look Blair Waldorf would approve of—and, let’s be honest, would be wearing in 2023—pair a pleated mini skirt with your favorite sweater and red tights. Play into the natural preppiness of the outfit with fur-embellished outerwear and red accessories.

Red tights with a shirt dress

A collared shirt-dress worn over a pair of red tights is the perfect blend of casual yet cool vibes. It’s able to be layered to your heart’s desire, as it can be worn on its own or underneath knitwear on chillier days. This look could work anywhere from a nighttime dinner reservation to a mid-day brunch with the gals. For extra layers, throw on your favorite wool coat and a sweater vest.

Red tights with a leather jacket and Mary Janes

To make your tights pop even further, sandwich them between contrasting shades of black. A leather jacket and black Mary Janes will give the red tights an edgy feel that allows them to serve as the pièce de résistance of your entire look.

Shop 2023’s best red tights