25BoldColouredTightsOutfitstoTryinWinter2026
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If there is one accessory doing the heavy lifting in winter 2026, it is the coloured tight. After several seasons of quiet black opaques, bold colour is back on legs everywhere, from the maroon, olive and mustard hosiery at Hermès for autumn/winter 2026 to Sinead Gorey’s lavender tights in London, and the high street has followed fast. The appeal is simple: a pair of tights costs far less than a new coat, yet it can change an outfit completely.
This guide rounds up 25 bold coloured tights outfits to try in winter 2026, from office-safe burgundy to party-ready scarlet, with a denier guide, the two styling rules that keep colour looking expensive, and real high-street buys to copy.
Key Takeaways
- Burgundy is the lead shade of autumn/winter 2026, with olive, mustard, forest green, plum and lavender close behind.
- Choose 60 to 80 denier opaque tights for cold days, and 15 denier sheer tights for evenings.
- Match your tights to your shoes or to your hem, and keep everything above the knee plain so the tights do the work.
- Deep solids such as burgundy, forest green, navy and plum are office-safe; save brights such as scarlet and cobalt for evenings and weekends.
- One bold colour per outfit is enough. Let black shoes, a plain coat or a neutral knit ground the look.
In This Article
- Why Bold Coloured Tights Are Winter 2026’s Easiest Update
- The Denier Guide: Sheer to Opaque
- Two Rules That Make Any Colour Work
- 25 Bold Coloured Tights Outfits to Try
- Coloured Tights for the Office
- Evening and Party Looks
- Styling Tips: Colour-Mixing, Care and Confidence
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Bold Coloured Tights Are Winter 2026’s Easiest Update
Coloured tights are back because they solve a real winter problem: how to look dressed up without buying a whole new wardrobe. The autumn/winter 2026 catwalks made the case clearly, with Hermès styling maroon, olive and mustard hosiery into polished daytime looks, while Sinead Gorey sent lavender tights down the runway in London. The high street has answered with rails of burgundy, forest green and plum.
The high street makes it easy to try the trend without a big spend. M&S, & Other Stories, Calzedonia and Snag Tights all carry opaque colour in the season’s key shades, most pairs priced between £6 and £25. Start with one deep shade, wear it with clothes you already own, and treat the tights as the outfit’s single statement. For more on how the trend is playing out this season, see Ideal Magazine’s guide to the autumn tight trends.
The Denier Guide: Sheer to Opaque
Denier measures how thick and opaque a tight is, and it matters more with colour than with black. A sheer bright can look garish, while the same shade in an opaque knit looks deliberate and polished. Use this quick guide before you buy.
- 15 denier: sheer and delicate, best for evenings and mild days. Beautiful in dark red and burgundy, but the most likely to ladder, so carry a spare pair.
- 30 to 40 denier: semi-opaque and smart, the best choice under tailoring and for transitional weather.
- 60 to 80 denier: fully opaque and warm, the winter workhorse. This is the denier to buy first in burgundy, forest green, plum and navy.
- 100 denier and fleece-lined: the coldest-day option, with a thermal feel. Best under boots and long coats, where the extra bulk stays hidden.
Buy your usual size, and size up if you are between sizes, as tight hosiery ladders faster. Falke, Wolford, Heist, Snag Tights and M&S all make reliable opaque colour.
Two Rules That Make Any Colour Work
Rule one is the line rule: match your tights to your shoes, or match them to your hem. Matching tights to shoes creates one long, unbroken leg line and makes you look taller. Matching them to your skirt or dress creates a colour-blocked column that looks deliberate. What does not work is a bright tight, a bright shoe and a bright hem all competing at once.
Rule two is to keep everything above the knee plain. A solid coat, a plain knit and a simple skirt let the tights do the talking. Prints, logos and heavy embellishment above the knee fight with coloured legs and make the outfit look busy. One bold colour per outfit is enough, and black shoes, a plain coat or a neutral knit will ground even the brightest tight.
25 Bold Coloured Tights Outfits to Try
From burgundy at the office to scarlet at the party, here are 25 ways to wear the trend this winter.
1. Burgundy Tights and a Black Knit Mini Dress
Start with the easiest win of the season. Wear M&S 60-denier burgundy opaques with a black ribbed knit mini dress from & Other Stories and black knee-high boots from Dune. Add gold hoops and a black leather tote. Burgundy reads almost as a neutral here, which is why it works for almost everyone.
2. Scarlet Tights and the Little Black Dress
Pillar-box red opaques from Calzedonia turn a simple black shift dress from COS into a party outfit, no extra effort required. Finish with black pointed courts from Russell & Bromley and keep jewellery minimal, because the legs are the statement.
3. Forest Green Tights and a Camel Coat
Forest green opaques under a camel wool coat from Massimo Dutti, with a cream roll-neck and brown loafers from Russell & Bromley. Green and camel is one of the season’s easiest tonal pairings, and it looks far more expensive than it costs.
4. Mustard Tights and a Navy Pleated Skirt
Mustard 40-denier tights warm up a navy pleated midi skirt from H&M, worn with navy Mary Janes and a cream knit. Mustard is the wildcard shade of the season, and navy keeps it wearable rather than fancy-dress.
5. Plum Tights and Grey Tailored Shorts
Plum opaques make tailored shorts work in winter. Try a grey shorts suit from Mango with a white shirt, black loafers and plum 60-denier tights. The deep tone reads as polished, not playful, and the look works from desk to dinner.
6. Oxblood Tights and a Houndstooth Mini
Oxblood opaques, a houndstooth mini skirt from Zara, black ankle boots and a black polo neck.
7. Navy Tights and a Cream Knit Dress
Navy 60-denier tights with a cream chunky knit dress from M&S and tan knee-high boots. Navy reads as a softer black, so it flatters the cream without the harsh contrast that black tights can bring.
8. Teal Tights and a Black Leather Skirt
Teal opaques, a black leather mini skirt from Zara, black biker boots and a black blazer. Teal against leather is the night-out version of the trend, and it is one of the best leather skirt outfits to try when you want colour without going full bright.
9. Chocolate Brown Tights and a Tweed Skirt
Chocolate opaques, a brown tweed mini skirt from Mango, knee-high brown boots and a cream knit.
10. Coral Dotted Tights, Grey Blazer and Plaid Skirt
Coral dotted tights from Calzedonia, a grey blazer, a plaid mini skirt and over-the-knee boots from Kurt Geiger. A dotted pattern is the easiest way to wear a bright tight, because the print breaks up the colour and makes it feel intentional.
11. Red Tights and a Denim Mini Skirt
Red opaques, a denim mini skirt from Levi’s, black ankle boots and a black roll-neck. It is a 90s nod that still looks current, especially under a long wool coat on a cold day.
12. Burgundy Tights and a 90s Midi Skirt
Burgundy opaques, a black 90s midi skirt, black boots and a grey knit. The midi length keeps burgundy office-appropriate, and the look borrows its shape from the best 90s midi skirt outfits doing the rounds this season.
13. Emerald Tights and a Black Velvet Blazer
Emerald opaques, a black velvet blazer, a black mini skirt and black courts. Jewel tones love velvet, and this pairing is made for festive lunches. See our velvet blazer outfits for more ways to wear the fabric.
Related: 20 Sweater Over Shoulders Outfits to Try in Winter 2026
14. An All-Black Outfit with a Burgundy Flash
Black coat, black knit, black boots, then burgundy opaques as the single note of colour. It is the easiest entry point into the trend, and proof that the best all-black outfits often need just one small twist.
15. Dark Red Sheer Tights and a Black Tailored Blazer
Dark red sheer 15-denier tights, a black tailored blazer, a black pencil skirt and black courts. Sheer dark red is the office-safe way to wear colour, and it is a staple of our winter work outfits this season.
16. Wine Tights, Cream Roll-Neck and Leather Shorts
Wine opaques, a cream roll-neck, black leather shorts and black knee-high boots. Wine sits between red and plum, so it flatters most skin tones and works with both black and brown accessories.
17. Cobalt Tights and a Grey Wool Dress
Cobalt opaques, a grey wool shift dress from COS and black ankle boots. One bright, everything else quiet: this is the line rule in action, and cobalt against grey is striking without being loud.
18. Rust Tights and an Olive Knit Dress
Rust opaques, an olive knit midi dress and brown boots.
19. Black Cherry Tights and a Tartan Mini
Black cherry opaques, a tartan mini skirt, black boots and a black leather jacket. The tartan’s red line picks up the cherry tone, so the outfit looks coordinated without trying too hard.
20. Bright Red Tights with Matching Red Heels
Red opaques, a black velvet mini dress, matching red heels from Dune and a black clutch. Matching tights to shoes is the line rule at its boldest, and red on red is the party look of the season.
21. Deep Plum Tights and a Sequin Mini
Plum opaques, a black sequin mini skirt and black courts. Plum is dark enough for sequins to shine without competing, making it one of the smartest Christmas party outfits to wear this December.
22. Emerald Tights and a Black Slip Dress
Emerald opaques, a black slip dress, black strappy heels and a faux-fur stole.
23. Sapphire Tights and a Metallic Skirt
Sapphire opaques, a silver pleated metallic midi skirt and black ankle boots. Blue and silver is a cool-toned party pairing, and the metallic skirt does the sparkling so the tights can stay simple.
24. Burgundy Tights and a Velvet Mini Dress
Burgundy opaques, a black velvet mini dress, black courts and gold earrings. Burgundy and velvet were made for December, and this is the outfit to reach for when you want to look dressed up without thinking too hard.
25. Blue Tights and Red Shoes: Colour-Mixing for the Brave
Sheer blue tights, a black mini dress and red heels. Two brights work when everything else is black and plain, and this is the look to try once you are confident with the trend. Keep the bag black and the jewellery simple.
Coloured Tights for the Office
Coloured tights can absolutely work at the office, provided the shade is deep and the finish is matte. Burgundy, forest green, navy, plum and dark red are the safest choices, in 15 to 20 denier sheer for milder days or 60 denier opaque when it is cold. Pair them with a tailored blazer, a pencil skirt or a simple shift dress, and black courts or loafers.
Evening and Party Looks
Evenings are where coloured tights earn their keep. This is the time for scarlet, emerald, sapphire and cobalt, matched to your shoes for the longest leg line or worn against sequins, velvet and metallics. A sheer 15-denier finish looks best under party dresses, while opaque brights suit velvet and heavier fabrics.
Styling Tips: Colour-Mixing, Care and Confidence
Colour-mixing works when you follow one rule: two brights at most, and everything else black or neutral. Sheer blue tights with red heels, as shown below, is the classic example, and it works because the dress and bag stay plain. For care, wash coloured tights in a mesh bag on a cold cycle, never tumble dry them, and roll rather than fold them in the drawer. A dab of clear nail polish stops a small ladder from running.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colour tights are in fashion for winter 2026?
Burgundy leads the season, with olive, mustard, forest green, plum, navy and lavender also trending. Deep shades are the easiest to wear.
What denier tights should I wear in winter?
Choose 60 to 80 denier opaque tights for cold days, 30 to 40 denier for milder weather, and 15 denier sheer tights for evenings. Fleece-lined tights at 100 denier or more suit the coldest days.
Can I wear coloured tights to the office?
Yes. Deep solids such as burgundy, navy, forest green and plum, worn with plain tailoring and black shoes, are office-safe. Save brights, patterns and sheer brights for outside work.
Should tights match my shoes or my skirt?
Either works. Match tights to shoes for a longer leg line, or match them to your hem for a colour-blocked column. Avoid a bright tight with both a bright shoe and a bright hem.
Do coloured tights suit women over 50?
Yes. Deep opaque tones such as burgundy, forest green and plum, worn with plain tailoring and a matte finish, are flattering at any age. Avoid sheer brights and busy patterns.
How do I stop coloured tights from laddering?
Buy the right size, wash in a mesh bag on a cold cycle, skip the tumble dryer, keep nails smooth, and carry a spare pair. A dab of clear nail polish stops a small ladder from running.
Where can I buy good coloured tights in the UK?
M&S, John Lewis, Calzedonia, Snag Tights, Heist, Pretty Polly and Falke all stock coloured tights. Expect to pay £6 to £25 a pair.
About Business Outstanders
Business Outstanders is a UK fashion and lifestyle publication. Our editorial team researches seasonal trends and tests styling ideas so readers can wear them with confidence. We cover women’s fashion, hairstyles, nails and wedding style.
