Do you remember the 80’s? Well I do and amongst the oversized shoulder pads and frosted hair, there was a real feel of excitement, of rebellion and of vibrancy, led by colour of every kind becoming part of our daily fashion diet.

A never worn before explosion of electric oranges, atomic purples, acid greens and yellow and shocking blues burst into our wardrobe and for several years, took over.

It was a fashion that came from the street artists and graduated into fashion design to create the most aggressive wardrobe of the last century.

Now it seems this slice of the 80’s is back. Emilio Cavallini has launched their own homage to the 80’s with a range of ‘get happy’ hosiery that can be a great way to put that injection of colour into your wardrobe without going the whole hog. The big question is how to work this trend without looking too retro.

In the first instance you can create your own 21^st Century take on this revival by using a simple stark basic as your foundation garment – a simple black dress, your favourite jeans or a stylish shorts suit. Add a pair of neon orange tights, such as the Emilio Cavallini Semi Sheer Seamed Tights in Orange, or the acid green Poppies Knee Highs and you have an instant colour kick.

Elongate the season for dark dresses by lifting what would be a severe look into something fun. Try different colours to see what works with your leg shape, size and your own original style – there are a variety of patterns to choose from too, from fluorescent floral patterns to neon animal print tights. Team solid colour shoes so that the focus is on your legs. For the evening, shorten your hem length to put even more neon leg on display.

If leg expanses aren’t your thing, try a hint of neon. Roll up your favourite jeans to show a colour explosion around the ankle – the Emilio Cavallini Opaque Knee Highs Socks are perfect for this. Try electric blue or shocking pink. Team with contrasting shoes for a really bright fun day into evening look.

Last year’s fashion can also benefit from a neon update and whilst unpredictable weather is still with us, use fluorescent coloured tights to give a new twist on a shorts suit, cropped jumpsuit or sawn off jeans. Teamed with interesting shoes it’s a look that will see you through to summer. Who knows, it may even help to bring on the sunshine!

Our new Spring Summer collections are coming in fast and the latest to arrive is the new Jonathan Aston range.   Jonathan Aston is one of the most diverse fashion brands we stock. They have everything from bold coloured opaques to fashion tights that follow the season’s hottest trends.   This Spring Summer though, they’ve really excelled themselves so I thought I would bring you a few of the highlights from this brilliant range that captures all of the key looks of 2012.

If you want to reference the new grunge revival then Jonathan Aston’s Rebel Tights are the tights that will give you that look in an instant. We are certain that they are going to be bestsellers.  These opaque tights have an artfully worn and distressed look that is very rock and roll.   We stocked a similar pair of ripped tights last year and our customers couldn’t get enough of them.   This year we have a resurgence of 1990s fashion to help them along!

Speaking of the 1990s, ever since Alexa Chung sported a pair of pair of cycling shorts to Chanel’s catwalk show in Paris – bike shorts have been a burgeoning microtrend.   Jonathan Aston’s Adore Tights are a way to wear this trend without having to brave the lycra look.  These sheer tights become opaque above the knee and are decorated with a lace pattern that looks great worn under another pair of shorts, particularly denim ones.  Alexa wore hers with heels and a boxy blazer but you can try this with flat ankle boots for a more casual look.

The spring summer catwalks were bursting with flower prints with designers like Oscar de la Renta, Matthew Williamson, Erdem, Diane von Furstenberg and Christopher Kane experimenting with head to toe florals.   With their fresh and pretty rose pattern, Jonathan Aston’s Bouquet Tights are a more flattering way to wear florals than those unforgiving flowery jeans and trousers that are all over the high street.   Floral tights are also a simple way to add colour to the all white outfits that are big news this season.

Spots continue as a huge trend this season and Jonathan Aston’s new Cherish Tights are light and summery way to wear this look.  The opaque spots on these tights are very similar to the ones that Cheryl Cole wore on the cover of Instyle magazine recently but Jonathan Aston have updated them for summer by making these tights from micronet, rather than sheer hosiery, and introducing the delicate nude shade Brulee as an alternative to black.  Brulee is a very soft pink shade that is perfect to team with those summery nude dresses and shoes.   Update last season’s lace dresses with these spotty tights for a pretty, girly look.

Finally, the Jonathan Aston Chaos Tights are at the top of my want list.  Made from luxurious tulle, they have a paint spatter pattern that is created in velvety flocking with a sensational back seam.  They feel gorgeous, they look amazing and they’ll certainly turn heads.

This is just a selection of the fantastic fashion pieces in the new Jonathan Aston Spring Summer range.  Check out the full range of Jonathan Aston Tights which also includes cute cherry patterns, wild animal prints and sexy suspender tights.

Valentine’s Day should be a day of lovely surprises.  Whether you are treating someone to a special gift or you are planning your own outfit for an evening of seduction – hosiery is an essential part of the package.  Whether you are buying lingerie for that special someone or you are buying for yourself, don’t forget to complete the look with our range of Stockings, Hold ups and Suspender belts.

Vintage is in vogue and there is nothing sexier than stockings and suspenders.  If you have never tried stockings and a suspender belt before, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to give them a whirl.  Men simply adore them and they certainly make you feel glamorous and desirable.   Mark my words, real stockings are going to make a mainstream comeback in the next few months so we’ll be doing everything we can to encourage you to be bold with this trend.  Until Valentine’s Day we will be offering a free Jonathan Aston suspender belt when you order two pairs of stockings, tights or hold ups from Jonathan Aston’s Vintage Legs Collection, simply add both pairs & the suspender belt to your basket and the discount will be applied at the checkout.  The suspender belt is made in stretch satin and comes in four gorgeous colours so you can match them to that sexy new underwear set.  They come in a sweet little heart shaped box so they make a lovely gift alongside a pair of Jonathan Aston’s Seam and Heel Lycra Stockings.  Treat yourself or someone else to a classic look that evokes the vintage glamour of yesteryear.

If you have selected a pretty, lacey underwear set, team it with a gorgeous pair of lace top hold ups for a seductive and feminine look.  Falke’s Seidenglatt Hold Ups have a wide band of delightfully decorative lace at the mid thigh.  Being from Falke they are also outstanding quality and they look and feel gorgeous with their sophisticated high shine look.  They are available in red and off white as well as traditional black and nude shades so again, you can match them up or choose colours to complement that knicker and bra set.

If lace is a little too girly for you, you can create a stronger, sleeker look with a pair of plain top hold ups. Black underwear looks especially seductive and powerful with a pair of plain top opaque hold ups like Wolford’s Velvet de Luxe 50 Stay Ups.  Teamed with stilettos this look is simple, sexy and in control.

Opaque hold ups are also a great option if you are at all self conscious about your legs.  They’ve provide that flattering, extra coverage you get from your usual opaque tights but in an altogether more alluring style.

If you are giving lingerie as a gift this Valentine’s Day, making the effort to choose the right hosiery to go with it is a must.  She’ll know you have really thought about the whole look and that is guaranteed to earn you some extra brownie points!   If you are at all unsure then don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and our expert customer service team will be more than happy to advise you on styles, sizing any other queries you might have.

It is traditional at this time of year to do a round-up of the best of the year but you might have noticed that the MyTights.com sale has started today with over a hundred great products at up to 50% off so I thought I would give you a little taste of the trends that will be big in 2012 along with some sale items that will keep you on trend this season and next.

Prints

Designers have been showering the catwalks with bold prints but, unlike the clashing patterns of seasons past, this time they are all together more matchy matchy.  Make this look work for well….. work by teaming a bold dog tooth print skirt or jacket with Falke’s Grand Pepita Patterned Tights (down 50% from £20 to £10) which have a dainty check that will match but still tone down your bolder upper half.

Have some fun also with Wolford’s Wilderness Tights (now £29.70).  If you want to match your prints in a more interesting way, their tiger print pattern looks great as a softer accompaniment to straighter more regular stripes on a top or skirt.

Ladylike

Good news for hosiery lovers everywhere is that we’ll still be rocking the ladylike look throughout 2012.  High necks and elegant tailoring means that you can let your legs take centre stage with this look.  Show off a well turned ankle with a slim elegant stiletto and the unusual back seam on Jonathan Aston’s Vegas Tights (now down 25%).

Elegant spotted tights look lovely with knee length skirts to add something pretty and feminine.  Wolford’s Bonny Dots Hold Ups (now down 25%) look the epitome of ladylike chic when they are worn with a pair of round toed courts or t-bar shoes.

Sporty

With the Olympics in London this year, the sporty trend is going to be really hot through Spring Summer 2012 but you can invest with confidence knowing that it will still look current well into Autumn Winter 2012.  Don’t worry this year’s sporty look is not about 80s style sweat bands it is all together more sophisticated than that.  This incarnation of the trend is about layering and soft tailoring with flashes of bright “go faster colour”.  Turquoise, orange and yellow make especially great highlight colours so, for spring summer, choose Trasparenze’s Monique Ankle Socks (£3.85) in Arancio (bright orange), Jonathan Aston’s Slouch Socks in lemon yellow (now 50% off) or Cinzia Knee High Socks (£5.25) in Verda Acqua (bold turquoise).   Be fashion forward and wear the trend now with colourful opaque tights like Jonathan Aston 40D Opaque Tights (£6.00) in Daffodil and Orange knowing you can break them out again when the weather cools later in the year.  Ok these socks and opaques are not in the sale but they are cheap as chips all year round and a really simple way to give the requisite colour splash so I decided they counted anyway.

Lots of these fantastic pieces and more will be featuring in our winter sale – some of them with up to 50% off.  Stock up now and you’ll have you’ll have your key looks for 2012 sorted at a barginous price.

If you are still not up to speed with your Christmas shopping, there is just enough time to order to get your gifts in time.  But while you are picking up the last minute bits and pieces, don’t forget to make sure you get some essentials for yourself.  You’ll need super snug layers for the wintery days (and nights) and glamorous sparkle and shine for Christmas Day and New Years Eve.  Whatever you are up to this Christmas, we’ve got everything from warm wool tights to glittering sparkle and embellishment to make sure you look the part for every festive occasion.

Christmas Eve

With everyone home for the holidays, Christmas Eve is the perfect time for catching up with old friends in the pub.  Christmas jumpers are huge this year as are classic winter patterns like fairisle.   Accessorise cozy knits with Pretty Polly’s Fairisle Backseam Tights – the woolly feel will keep you warm while the red back seam will slim and elongate your legs as well as giving them a subtle festive flavour.

Throw yourself into the festive mood with Celeste Stein’s Christmas Ornaments Tights.  Their pattern of baubles and tree decorations is fun and Chrismassy and way more original than a silly santa hat!  If baubles alone are not enough we also have this pattern in a glittery style which will give the Christmas tree a run for its money in the sparkle stakes!

If Christmas carolling is what you have planned for Christmas Eve then wrap up warm in some snugly wool tights.  Our Trasparenze Pechino Wool Tights are really cosy and their elegant ribbing is flattering on the leg.   In fact, I’ve found they are even warmer than trousers so you can sing your heart out without fear of chattering teeth!

Christmas Day

If you are in charge of Christmas dinner there is no need to compromise in the style stakes while you are in the kitchen.  Choose a classic shift dress and accessorise with sparkly jewellery and patterned tights and you have an outfit that will still look glam when you pop out of the kitchen in your pinny!  The Mary Portas and Charnos Baroque Floral Tights and the Jonathan Aston Taylor Tights have a sumptuous brocade pattern with an opulent shine that we think is just pure Christmas.

Boxing Day

By Boxing Day the urge to work off those excess calories often proves irresistible.  If you are heading out for a long walk in the country make sure you pick up some of Jonathan Aston’s Long Wool Mix Boot Over Knee Socks to keep your feet warm in your wellies.  Slouch them down below the knee and layer them over the Trasparenze Pechino Wool Tights you bought for Christmas Eve or get pick up some of the fantastically cosy and luxurious Falke Soft Merino Wool Tights.

New Years Eve

It’s the biggest night of the year and it is a great excuse to get out some serious glitter and shine.   We’ve made sure we are well stocked on sparkly little numbers like the Pretty Polly Embellished Tights and the Henry Holland Superstar Multi Tights.  If you really feel like pushing the boat out and making this a New Year’s Eve to remember, choose Bebaroque’s Lavender 80 denier Tights with their hand placed gems that will twinkle beautifully as the clock chimes midnight.  Sure they are pricy but I promise you they are the most beautiful tights you will ever own.  Invest now and you won’t be short of a party outfit pick me up throughout 2012.

Whether you need to wrap up warm or dazzle with amazing sparkle we’ve got you covered this Christmas.   Whether you are buying for yourself or still getting presents for others, you have just enough time to order to get your tights in time.  Order by 5pm on Tuesday to get your order in time by Standard delivery and by 5pm Thursday to get it by Special Delivery.