It used to be that the fashion industry had a zero tolerance policy about tights. Most fashion editors and influencers will wait until they can truly bear the winter chill no longer, when the temperature threatens to turn their goosebumps into icicles.
But Gucci might be about to change all this with its new glittering SS18 versions.
To go without tights in the darkest, coldest of winter days speaks of money and luxury - that you have the time and funds to allocate on the required grooming (exfoliating, fake tanning or holidays etc) and also that you can just hop into a car if the going gets tough. The average non-tights wearer does not travel by public transport. Forgoing tights also says a lot about youth - or how obsessed you are with it.
However, tights have over the last 12-18 months been making a resurgence - most recently at Gucci where models wore sheer tights adorned with sparkling crystals.
A spokesperson for the brand told us today that the lycra tights will be available to buy around February-March next year for £1,080 a pair. It's a price tag in keeping with the all-over hundreds of crystals, and one that implies that tights have definitely made it into the luxury sphere.
Saint Laurent went along the punk route with laddered styles back in 2015, while Chanel debuted black-lace patterned versions in its Rome Metiers d'Art 2016 collection.
For AW17, every look at Balenciaga was styled with tights. At Celine, they were lacy and crocheted, while at Mulberry they came cosy and thick. But, arguably, they have never been as luxe or dazzling as at Gucci this season.
Expect waiting lists to ensue.
