Knee-high hosiery has been a fashion staple for decades. They were all the rage back in the 60s and were commonly worn with mod mini skirts and dresses. They’re also popularly associated with the chic schoolgirl look. The preppy style consists of a school uniform-inspired outfit finished off with knee-high socks.

As many women experiment with shorter hemlines, they turn to wearing cropped hosiery that doesn’t feel too bare or boring. Also, knee-high hosiery comes in a wide range of options, including different colors, opacity, and patterns. That’s why you’ll see stylish individuals shop hosiery and experiment with different ways to style it.

If you want a fresh take on your outfit, incorporating knee-high hosiery should be a great start. Here are some ideas for how you can style them:

Create a Seamless Look with Nude Hosiery

Wearing nude knee-high hosiery provides a seamless look for your legs without a garment having to cover your thighs or go up to your waist. The cropped hosiery is perfect for dressier occasions when you need to wear calf- or ankle-length skirts and dresses. It’s also perfect for when you’re wearing heels. Just make sure to opt for pumps instead of open-toed sandals, as the former may look more sophisticated and help hide the hems of the stockings.

Make a Fashion Statement with Textured Hosiery

If you want to put together an outfit that looks like it came straight out of the runway, consider wearing knee-high fishnet stockings with a high-low style dress. This kind of clothing features a shorter hemline in the front than in the back. With this kind of design, you can highlight the stunning hosiery and let it serve as your outfit’s statement piece.

Additionally, wearing textured knee-highs can add character to a monochromatic look. Wear black sheer or fishnet knee-high hosiery with a lace mini-dress for a fashionable and put-together ensemble.

Wear Knee Highs with Short Skirts

There are different ways to style knee-high hosiery. A great pair can also help add personality to any look. But a favorite among many women is to wear their knee-highs in the classic fashion—with a short skirt.

Mini Skirt

Wearing your knee-high hosiery with a mini skirt can help you create a very feminine look. The skirt’s short hemline is perfect to show off your hosiery, whether you want to wear timeless black opaque or sheer pink tights.

When choosing a mini skirt, consider pleated and A-line ones, which are two of the most popular styles. Pleated skirts have that timeless appeal, while A-line skirts tend to create flattering silhouettes. The latter style is more fitted at the waist and widens toward the hem, which complements many body shapes.

Pencil Skirt

If you aren’t a fan of flowy mini skirts, a short pencil skirt is another great option. The garment can highlight your knee-high hosiery due to its length. Also, pencil skirts feature fitted hemlines that look chic and polished. As such, they tend to be dressier than their flowy counterparts.

You can wear knee-high tights in the same color as the pencil skirt for a classy monochromatic style. On the other hand, opting for contrasting colors can make for a bold and interesting look.

Be Chic and Preppy with Mary Janes

If you want to pull off a preppy look, wear your mini skirt and knee-high hosiery with a pair of Mary Jane shoes. Also called doll shoes, Mary Janes are a style of closed, low-cut shoes. They feature one or more straps across the instep. The shoes also come in different colors, including classic black, brown, and white. These days, Mary Janes come in various styles and heel heights. You can take your pick of flat, heeled, or platform shoes.

Pair any Mary Janes with black knee-high hosiery for a schoolgirl look. You can also experiment with gray or white knee-highs instead, which offer a modern twist on these timeless fashion staples.

Stay Cozy in a Sweater Dress

Knee-high hosiery is great to wear in any season, but they’re especially popular in fall and winter. You can wear cropped hosiery with a sweater dress and achieve a trendy look. The knee-high hosiery adds personality and helps keep your legs warm.

Complete the cozy outfit with a pair of ankle boots. Choose opaque knee-high tights in the same color as your shoes and make it appear like you’re wearing knee-high boots. It also gives the illusion of elongated legs.

Take a Walk in the Rugged Side with Combat Boots

While a great pair of hosiery provides a level of sophistication to many different ensembles, it can also be used to create an edgy outfit. For example, you can wear black or gray knee-high stockings with combat boots and your denim mini-skirt. You can also achieve a rockstar vibe if you wear knee-high combat boots with a leather skirt.

With various options that can match your clothes, knee-high hosiery offers a stylish way to cover your legs and put together fashion-forward ensembles. Also, you can wear your knee-highs on many different occasions, whether the affair calls for casual, smart, polished, or dressier attires. While these recommendations are a great start to styling your knee-high hosiery, feel free to experiment with different outfit combinations that make you feel and look good.