As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. What one finds repugnant, another will love – such is life. But never has the chasm between the two camps been more palpable than in the realm of style, and despite the ubiquity of microtrends birthed by social media, there are still divisions between some of the new season’s most en-vogue staples.

One such staple is a wintertime perennial, something as essential to winter dressing as a coat. Ladder-resistant tights, patterned tights, extra-warm tights – for many, tights will remain their cosy weather plus-one.

But if tights (whether a style essential or an additional form of warmth) are your arch-nemesis, fear not – there are many trustworthy, foolproof styling staples available to you. As somebody who doesn’t reach for tights on a day-to-day basis, winter dressing involves woollen leggings, which I promise aren’t as horrifying as they sound. I wear them underneath my favourite oversized jeans and trousers because that’s precisely what winter styling is about – sandwiching layers to stay as cosy as possible.

For those who prefer a dress at all times of the year, yet have a fraught relationship with hosiery, I have some advice for you. Invest in leggings and opt for a calf-skimming hem-lined dress. This way, you get to channel and embrace all of the dresses that you love with none of the drama of tights. And your leggings will go completely unnoticed. 

Of course, if you do maintain that tights are the only way for you to style out the rest of winter, then try sizing up your tights (I usually opt for a size XL in hosiery and I normally wear a 12-14 on bottom). This way, you’ll be able to move freely in your tights without the dreaded fear of pulling, laddering or ripping them. 

Images: Getty