I Tried the Tights-as-Pants Look at Fashion Week

How realistic is the Kendall Jenner- and runway-approved trend?

Ever since I saw that photo of Kendall Jenner strutting around in nothing but a crewneck sweater, statement sunglasses and a pair of sheer black tights, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

In it, Jenner is spotted on a purported errand run to pick up a sunflower bouquet, wearing head-to-toe Bottega Veneta, except for her Calzedonia tights. (High-low!) Seems casual enough, right? Still, it begs the question: Is it actually a realistic cute outfit? Or does it only work on a supermodel, for a (presumably staged) paparazzi shot?

I admit, in my everyday life, the thought of wearing no pants feels a little extreme. Even though I live in New York City, I can't help but feel that going out in what's essentially underwear would capture more eyes than the average quirky Manhattan outfit. With this in mind, I decided to put the look to the test during a time when I would either be seen as the coolest person in the room or the lamest: New York Fashion Week.

As I prepped for the ultimate test of vulnerability, something funny happened. I started to notice the number of pantless models on Fall 2023 runways. I was seemingly in a safe space, affirmed in my experiment. This was the perfect time to put the extremely exposed look to the test.

Taking note from Kendall's casual styling, I paired Sheertex's Classic Rip Resist black tights with a T-shirt, but layered a statement trench on top to give it the extra edge it needed to be fashion show-ready.

Luckily, I was attending the Luar runway show, which was filled with unique dressers, so it didn't feel so out of place. Though, commuting there was a different story. Living in a city where protecting yourself as a woman is a bare necessity, my trench coat was vital so that I could remain covered up before entering the venue. Kendall's butt-out, no-coat look was feeling especially unrealistic at this point.

As safe as I felt in the presence of fashion people in other out-of-the-ordinary outfits, I still noticed I was the only one in the crowd not wearing pants. I definitely felt a bit too naked for my own comfort, but as time went on, I started to forget about my lack of conventional bottoms.

The truth is, wearing only tights feels extremely similar to wearing leggings. The only difference is that your butt is slightly more visible.

As someone who doesn't typically wear things that are more exposing, I took some steps to ensure I felt as comfortable as possible, like wearing boyshort-style underwear and layering Sheertex's No-Sweat Hipster atop the tights for extra coverage.

To further test-drive the trend, I wore a tights-and-bodysuit look to an at-home dinner with friends, this time using Spanx's Tight-End tights, which have an opaque shorts-like detail.

This definitely was a better option for feeling more covered, but also didn't achieve the same 'no-pants' concept. Though it was still a bit odd to those around me, it was less intimidating being in an intimate setting, with fewer people (and cameras).

If you're tights-as-pants-curious but don't know if it translates on a non-5'9" supermodel, I would say, try it out! For starters, I definitely suggest pairing it with a blazer or jacket that hits below your bottom, if coverage is a concern. (If you're looking for a second opinion from a different body type, Sarah Chiwaya of Curvily conducted her own sartorial experiment, and wrote about it from the POV of a plus-size woman.)

Ultimately, can a non-supermodel pull off this look? Sure. Would I try it out again? Probably not. But was it a fun, silly little fashion moment to take out for a spin? Yes. Yes, it was.

Scroll below for the tights that worked best for my beginner's attempt, plus some similar styling options for the no-pants look.

Please note: Occasionally, we use affiliate links on our site. This in no way affects our editorial decision-making.

Never miss the latest fashion industry news. Sign up for the Fashionista daily newsletter.