Where to find that perfect pair of opaque tights

By Wee Ling Soh

With temperatures looking to dip again in a few days, we see no reason why winter should be spent in jeans and thermals when colored opaque tights are all the rage this season. What more can we ask of opaque tights? Comfy to wear, practical in this bone-biting chill and most people should be able to carry it off (try darker colors if you think your legs are not your best feature) as opposed to the other hot item this winter, ankle boots.

Yet it is ironic how the perfect pair of colored opaque tights has been so elusive in Shanghai, supposed shopping haven. Strangely, none of the fashion bigwigs such as H&M or Zara appears to carry a worthy selection while the ubiquitous streetside hosiery/socks shops stock pretty much everything else we rather not be spotted wearing in public such as skin-toned ankle socks and lacy fishnet pantyhose.

We were cynical when friends suggested we look for the tights at Jing'an Xiao Ting clothing/accessories market, a place we usually steer clear of unless we have visitors in town … but not anymore. Walk straight into the market past the always-crowded mala tang eatery to store A001 where colorful opaque tights are visibly hung. It's impossible to miss, and stirrup tights are available too if 80s look is your kind of thing. The helpful sales girl reckons purple and green are among the best-selling shades this winter. And the best part? Knock yourself out over the two-pairs-for-RMB15 prices.

Jing'an Xiao Ting Market, 68 Yuyuan Road, behind Jiu Guang Shopping Mall