Colour, lace and jazzy prints: tights are latest low-cost fashion statement

Black opaque tights are being shunted to the bottom of the sock drawer in favour of vibrant party season alternatives

Black opaque tights have been a winter staple for women for years, but this party season they are being shunted to the bottom of the sock drawer. Instead, retailers are reporting a spike in sales of fashion tights".

This genre spans everything from vibrant coloured pairs to lacy and glitter versions. At Marks & Spencer, where a three-pack of 60 denier tights are habitually a winter rite of passage, this December customers are instead opting for lace styles. Sales are up 50% year on year, with a 12 French-inspired black heavyweight pair topping the sales charts. At John Lewis, sales of red tights are up 55% year on year. Other top sellers include fuchsia and fir-green versions.