Fun tights are back: Here are our top picks and how to wear them

For me, pulling on a fresh pair of tights is one of life's little pleasures. There's nothing like the feeling of being completely held in and extra cozy, well, from waist to toes anyways. I was schooled early on in the matter of deniers (the numeric measure of opacity) and I'm a big believer in the power that the right pair of hose can bring to an outfit. But the topic of tights is divisive — you're either team tights or you're not.

This season, Chanel, Saint Laurent and Tom Ford all made a case for jumping on the leggy bandwagon. Aesthetics aside, they're a tough accessory to ignore unless you're prepared to embrace pants until the spring. Plus, with everything from bright colours and athletic stripes to springy botanicals and animal spots on offer, there's something to suit every set of stems. Read on for the trendiest tights to try this winter.

In living colour

Technicolour tights have a way of looking little girlish. Make them more mature by revealing only a sliver at the ankle with a cropped pant or midi dress. And be fearless with your colour choice; marigold and turquoise are fair game.

Falke Pure Matt 50 Denier Tights, $28, net-a-porter.com

Halogen x Atlantic-Pacific Opaque Tights, $25.11, nordstrom.com

The finish line

Racing stripes aren't just for track pants, they also add length to legs when drawn down tights. Paired with heels, they lend an outfit an athletic element; pair with flats on dressed down days where you're racing around town.

Calvin Klein 2O5W39NYC Black Intarsia Striped Tights, $450 (on sale for $279), ssense.com

Emilio Cavallini Striped Band Tights, $30, emiliocavallini.com

Full bloom

Does your work dress code call for creative combos? Hose with a near-photographic posy print will most definitely get you noticed. If you're in favour of a demure aesthetic, rely on the texture of lacey vines to inject extra interest.

Gucci Flora Lace Tights, $530, gucci.com

Zara Lace Tights, $19.90, zara.com

Clear cut

Best saved for big nights out (like NYE), glittered, rhinestone-embellished hose are deceptively special. You may only catch the sparkle when the light hits your legs at the right angle but that's part of the allure.

Alexander Wang No After Party Tights, $250, alexanderwang.com

Out From Under Jewel Fishnet Tights, $20 (on sale for 2 for $24), urbanoutfitters.com

Queen of the jungle

Take a walk on the wild side in leopard print tights. Whether you tone them down with a simple skirt and knee-high boots or pump them up with a side of sequins, they're bound to be attention-grabbing.

Emilio Cavallini Sparkle Leopard Tights, $48.83, intermixonline.com

Zara Jacquard Animal Spot Tights, $19.90, zara.com

Caitlan Moneta (@caitlanmoneta) is a Toronto-based fashion editor, writer and stylist. She's a firm believer that there's nothing a little retail therapy can't fix.