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Charlottetown: In defense of candy-coloured legs

10 comments

 

Photography by Douglas Estey

Photography by Douglas Estey

Some ladies play it safe in blustery, snowy weather. They choose sensible, thick, black tights and pair them with warm, cozy boots and lined wool trousers. These practical women likely have mothers who sleep easy at night knowing their daughters are not going to freeze for fashion’s sake, by glances of approval from their like-minded peers and by being toasty warm in the bitter Canadian cold.

 

Despite all of this (and much to my own mother’s dismay) I prefer to wrap my legs in thin, candy-coloured tights throughout the long winter. There are a million reasons why I love and prefer bright tights for freezing cold weather. For one, Rainbow Brite legs lend a bit of sunny optimism to the intensely bleak, dark and unforgiving Maritime winters. Fun, patterned tights also speak volumes about your personality. When I see girls clutching fair trade coffees and strolling downtown in hot pink or neon yellow, I just know that they are quirky and creative individuals who are probably on their way to an off-the-wall photography exhibit or modern dance class.

Finally, I prefer bright and patterned tights because they remind me of my favourite fashion decade: the sixties. I always feel I’m living in Swinging London, wearing Mary Quant and befriending stork-legged supermodel Leslie Hornby. In Charlottetown, I buy my impractical, but original, hosiery at the Demi-Point Dance Shop (100 Kent St., 902-89-2759) but if you want to play it safe (and warm!) the store also carries tights in the plain, black and sensible variety.

Join the discussion

  • Sensible Mary

    Amanda , Wow great story, however I Prefer warm, plain tights, but colourful tights do look fun. ps. I’m sure your Mother would agree that warm, plain ,tights are the way to go for this cold climate.

  • jackie

    Bright coloured tights intimidate me, I won’t lie, but I have been known to parade my purple, blue, or argyle patterned ones around town. Your articles are fab Amanda. I look forward to the next!

  • Dave Davidson

    Wow, a lot of stereotypes in this piece. Excellent writing, but very stereotypical, why does someone need to be quirky to drink fair trade coffee or wear bright colours? And why is fashion more important than not freezing? I don’t mean to attack the writing, but this story seems to promote the opposite of what we should be thinking. I guess it’s going to take a while for people to realize that the 60s ended for a reason.

  • Katherine

    I’ve been sporting candy-coloured legs since grade 10 (back when they were NOT fashionably acceptable) and think they are a fun and easy way to add colour to a boring outfit.

    And no worries Dave, you can buy thick, warm candy-coloured tights too. Jeez. Not even my mom puts up as much a fuss as you.

  • Sweet Photo

    NICE ONE! Sweet photography

  • Cassie Magee

    I just want to say coloured tights are a fab way to brighten up the day on a dull morning. I’ve got lots of different colours, some quite subtle. I mainly shop at http://www.lovecolour-lovetights.com, because they have so much choice. They have thick ones too! xxx

  • Katherine

    I donned my sparkly tights all day the other day, and boy was there a good response (volume-wise) from everyone from the subway, to work. People sure did notice, even though that wasn’t my intention. I may invest in other shades of unconventional tights, but I will be sure to stay away from forest green and plaids due to days gone…bye bye.

    Great photograph, btw!

  • Sarah

    You’ve inspired me to bring out those shocking red tights that you got me for Christmas. Great article, Andie, and I love the photo.

  • krista Cousins

    I have been wanting to know where to get some nice pairs of tights in ch’town. I’m glad to know! Doug did a great job with that picture!

  • http://www.brownbunnybyiris.etsy.com Iris Lohninger

    They look stunning!

Neither the author nor FASHION Magazine necessarily agrees with the comments posted here. Editors will not correct spelling or grammar. FASHION Magazine reserves the right to edit or delete comments entirely.

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