From London to Paris, this chic trend is popping up on the best-dressed people in every city and the lace tights trend is about to be everywhere this autumn.

For seasons, hosiery has played a strictly functional role a sheer black layer to keep the chill out, or a bold pop of cherry red for the brave. But for Autumn Winter 2026, tights are stepping out of the shadows and demanding to be the focal point of the outfit. Enter: the return of lace, sheer, and patterned hosiery.

Leading the charge is heritage Italian brand Levante, whose newly launched Autumn Winter ’26 collection marks a return to the romance of tradition. Defined by a sense of simplicité, the collection balances refined materials with considered silhouettes, resulting in effortlessly elegant style. Luxurious Italian craftsmanship sits at the heart of the range, expressed through opulent sheers, rib stockings, patterned knee-highs, and floral net tights.

If you’re wondering how to pull off lace tights without looking like you’re heading to an 80s costume party, the secret lies in the styling. It’s all about contrast — pairing delicate, romantic legwear with structured tailoring, heavy knits, or sleek eveningwear.

Read on for your Style Machine cheat sheet on how to do the lace tights trend for Autumn 2026, broken down into five key looks.

1. The Modern Ribbed Opaque

The Trend: Elevated Opaques How to Wear It: Move over, basic black. This autumn, rich chocolate brown is the new neutral. Ribbed tights offer a textural upgrade to standard opaques, providing both warmth and visual interest.  Style Notes: The easiest way to ease textured tights into your wardrobe is to treat them as a monochromatic base. Pair these deep brown ribbed tights with a coordinating knit bodysuit or a sleek wool miniskirt. The vertical ribbing elongates the leg, while the rich espresso tone feels incredibly luxurious and modern. Finish with a pointed-toe slingback to keep the silhouette sharp.

2. The Winter White Lace

The Trend: Frosty Romantics How to Wear It: White tights have shed their bridal connotations and emerged as the ultimate cool-girl styling trick. When rendered in a delicate lace pattern, they feel fresh, unexpected, and highly editorial. Style Notes: To avoid looking overly sweet, ground white lace tights with structured, minimalist pieces. A crisp white tailored short or a heavy, oversized cream turtleneck creates a striking high-low contrast. The key here is tonal dressing — keeping the entire look in shades of winter white allows the intricate lace pattern of the Levante tights to do all the talking.

3. The Playful Polka Dot

The Trend: The Sheer Spot How to Wear It: If full lace feels too intimidating, the sheer polka dot is your perfect entry point. It’s playful, slightly retro, but undeniably chic when styled with modern tailoring. Style Notes: This is how you do eveningwear in 2026. Pair sheer dotted tights with sharp, high-waisted tailored shorts and a coordinating sheer blouse. The dots add a subtle dose of texture and interest without overwhelming the look. It’s a confident, polished base that feels perfectly primed for nights out — just add a statement coat and a classic pump.

4. The Tonal Floral Net

The Trend: The Statement Hue How to Wear It: Burgundy and oxblood are the defining colours of the autumn season. Wearing them on your legs via a sheer, floral-patterned tight is the ultimate fashion-insider move. Style Notes: Embrace the drama of a statement hue by going top-to-toe. Styled with a silky slip dress or a draped bodysuit in a matching soft autumn-ready shade, these tights bring depth, romance, and dimension to the look. The floral net pattern breaks up the solid colour, adding a layer of sophisticated Italian craftsmanship that Levante is known for.

5. The Classic Black Lace

The Trend: Dark Romance How to Wear It: The quintessential lace tight. Black lace is inherently glamorous, slightly gothic, and incredibly versatile for the cooler months. Style Notes: Looking to elevate your eveningwear rotation? Black lace tights might just be the simplest way to do it. Treat them as the hero piece of your outfit. Pair them with a sleek, minimalist black slip or a tailored blazer dress. The intricate, sprawling lace pattern provides all the texture you need, meaning you can keep your accessories pared-back and let the hosiery steal the show.

Shop the new Autumn Winter ’26 collection now at Levante.