How to do bare legs in winter: a five-point plan

If you can’t stand tights, congratulations – most fashion types agree. Still, a very chilly winter awaits. Here’s how to go hosiery free this winter in five easy steps, guaranteed to avoid hypothermia

Alexa Chung, Jessie Ware, Harley Viera Newton, Daisy Lowe, Jamie Campbell Bower and Sophie Turner attend the TopShop Unique show during London Fashion Week. Photograph: Karwai Tang/WireImag

Let’s be honest: everyone knows bare legs beat tights in fashion land. They just look better. But, with the temps not being kind to said legs, and a blue hue possible without some sort of hosiery, we need to figure out how to get the fashion look without also getting hypothermia. Here is a five-point guide. 

1. Don’t overexpose

A short skirt and bare legs in December is madness. Avoid this and go for a midi length. Exposing calves only is a trick that fashion editors have long known. Handily, this length is in ​style this season, with culottes and midi skirts both gaining the fashion thumbs up.

Suki Waterhouse in a seasonally appropriate midi skirt. Photograph: Richard Young/REX/Richard Young/REX

2. Wrap up up top

Bare legs are doable ​if the rest of you is toasty. Wear with a chunky jumper, scarf and hat. Your outfit might look slightly seasonally contradictory, but since fashion is increasingly avoiding the idea of seasons, you’ll be even more on-trend.

Socks and sandals at Prada. Photograph: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

3. Socks are your friend

Another fashion editor fave. Street style photographer catnip often pair socks and sandals, or socks and ankle boots, for a sweetly geeky look. Feel free to hack this idea. You can wear hiking socks (very Prada) to ensure toasty toes and an alpha editor look. Pair with a midi (see above).

4. Go for the sliver

Of course, you don’t have to bare that much leg. The sliver is acceptable too. Skater shoes and slightly short ankle-length trousers flash just enough flesh to get behind the trend, and also keep you from catching your death on a train platform in January.

5. Up your taxi budget

Most celebrities and fashion types can do the bare leg thing because, to be frank, they don’t actually have to spend much time outside. Forget Christmas presents. Spend all your money on cabs and go through a whole winter without donning a pair of tights. We dare you.