Remember that period in fashion a few years ago when it was considered a sartorial sin to wear tights, stockings, pantyhose or any variation of legwear? Even in the dead of winter, bare legs were proudly flashed, revealing their owner as a chic devotee of the year-round wax and fake-tan routine (essential to avoid frightening small animals and men with pale goose-flesh).

Not that serious grooming was all these naked pins spoke of. Mostly, shunning tights revealed an unswerving commitment to fashion. It was hardly pleasant after all, especially with the pesky questions from the uninitiated about whether we were cold. Of. Course. We. Were.

That period of going without coincided with my time as a fashion writer in Brisbane, so it wasn’t as much of a hardship as if I’d been living in Chicago, London or even Melbourne. Not that it would have mattered much. The rule was clear: tights were unthinkable unless there was snow on the ground.

How times change. This winter may well be subtitled Hallelujah for Hosiery, since a dedication to dressing currently now starts with tights, specifically black opaques, but grey (Miuccia Prada’s favourite), ribbed and self-patterned as well. Personally, I draw the line at coloured tights. If Kylie struggles in a pair of pink pantyhose, mere mortals have no chance. And don’t get me started on animal print ones.

My prize for the ultimate opaques – matte, powerfully black and laundry-friendly – goes to the prettily packaged Leona Edmiston Pins Luxury Opaque (around $20 a pair from department stores). But I’ve recently been playing the field, experimenting with a pair of amazingly cosy New Zealand-made Columbine stretchy grey cotton tights (about $23). I also tracked down the rock-chick worthy black Voodoo Leggings with Buttons (approximately $40) that I’ll bust out next time I wear pumps instead of boots.

Yes, there’s a whole world of hosiery out there. Just remember nude pantyhose remains a sure-fire way to feel the chill of fashion Siberia.

Image Credits: Left image courtesy of Omiru.com; Middle Image courtesy of the The Satorialist. Sienna Miller image courtesy of Batch Please.