My Ultimate Holiday Dressing Hack? A Pair of Lace Tights

What holiday dressing used to mean to me was breaking out one to three fancy plaid, sequined, or metallic items for their singular annual outing, then shoving them into the back of the closet once I was done with them. Then rinse and repeat the following year.

These festive pieces served their purpose, for sure, but from January to November, I couldn’t help but just feel annoyed at these jolly items, which sat mostly untouched in my closet among my day-to-day wear. But I simply couldn’t really make them work for any other moment.

I’ve since graduated away from designating clothing for only certain times a year in favor of shopping more intentionally and using the full potential of my styling brain to rework or “shop” my closet. I've been able to lower my consumption overall by having a toolkit of some playful elements to bring that holiday jazz to otherwise everyday pieces. One of those hacks is a lace tight.

Cheap, cheerful and non-committal, a tight (much like the socks that I’ve written about before) is an easy way to add some pizazz (and light warmth!) to a look that has legs exposed. I pulled together some festive outfits that really showcase the power of tights and that can carry me through various types of events during a buzzy and busy holiday season.

Lace Tights with… Hot Pants

If you’ve kept your eyes on the runways for the past few seasons, you’re no stranger to the fact that hot pants have hit their stride not only with trendiness but also social acceptability. I’ve had these vintage jacquard Alaïa shorts in my closet for several years (an amazing Thredup snag) and have only dared to wear them in peak summertime, like on vacation or hosting a barbecue at home. Adding a super graphic lace floral tight from Calzedonia, playful mirrored Wales Bonner top, plaid blazer, distressed leather Coach bag and Miu Miu silver sandals, I felt they were ready for their winter debut.

This is seemingly a lot of elements for one look, but using a lace tight as a starting point is a fun way to build out a tapestry of texture. "More is more" actually works here. I see myself wearing this to a more off-beat holiday party with an artsy crowd who appreciates eccentricity.

Lace Tights with… a Sweet Little Dress

This delicate, white crochet-effect lace pair of tights from Stems immediately made me want to build out a mostly monochromatic white look. This is my friend’s perfect Alaïa dress I’ve been holding onto for her as she’s moved around a bunch; I paired it with my coveted pair of Tabitha Simmons white, low-heel Mary Janes, found on Poshmark. I think the vibe could go a little nurse-y with opaque white tights, but the lace made me feel more retro-cool, like a 60’s London vibe. I added a pop of holiday color with a red Sézane sweater as a little cape, red Chanel bag and lip. This look feels great for a daytime occasion like a matinee show of A Christmas Carol or a holiday brunch out with family.

Lace Tights with… a Knee-Length Skirt

I used a pair of burgundy lace tights from Calzedonia as my “pop” of color in an otherwise all black look with a longer skirt. I dared not go much longer with the hemline, since I was trying to make the tights a focal point. The burgundy color had kind of a Victorian mood about them, so I leaned into that with Samantha Parkington, the prissy American Girl doll, in mind. (My style references know no bounds!). I paired them with the perfect crepe flouncy skirt (an epic Valentino sample sale find), a reworked vintage tux shirt from A Shirt Story, a black velvet blazer, Valentino ballet boots, and a super old Dior bag from high school. I can see myself wearing this to a cozy and festive dinner date with my husband at an old-school restaurant we save for this time of year.

Lace Tights with…Denim Shorts

Okay, this one was a little bit of a stretch, but hear me out—I was thinking of Kate Moss's kind of bougie bohemian treatment. For instance, the gorgeous black Swedish Stockings tights with the denim shorts (with a hem, it looks cleaner than cut-offs) is a little nod to late '00s indie sleaze. There was something that felt a little Coachella-meets-Glastonbury-meets-tabloid-culture going on with the Uggs and Chanel tweed jacket. I added a touch of glorious Diotima crochet to make it even more bohemian, plus a simple envelope clutch.

In the end, I actually felt super comfy and fun with this one. It came together a lot less fussy than I thought it would. I would reserve this for silly holiday drinks that turn into karaoke with the girls or at a messy (complimentary) holiday house party.