Black Milk Clothing

The über-talented James Lillis, who writes Too Many Tights, a blog "for those whom too many tights is not enough," (so basically for people like me and many of you who read Stocking Vixen) recently launched his own clothing line, Black Milk, focused on the impossibly cool leggings he has been making himself and selling for a while.

The styles are not for shrinking violets and are much with the hipness, but if you're looking for leggings with attitude, there's no reason to look further than his work. The Spidermans (in the first photo above) are especially tempting to me. The leggings currently sell for $50-$120, which is an excellent price considering he hand makes each pair. I'm looking forward to seeing what James does in the future as he expands his clothing empire.

Sexy Leggings and Nude High Heels

Leggings are sexy, but I have avoided them since their comeback because I have nightmares of the crimes against humanity I committed in the 80's while wearing leggings and haven't been able to think how to make them work for me today, especially since I'm only 5'4" and am terrified of looking stubby. Being cut off at the ankle seemed like a bad choice. This beautiful woman in her raincoat, leggings and nude heels from The Satorialist has changed my mind. She has actually managed to make leggings, the dreaded stretch pant, look elegant. The extremely high heel lengthens her leg and the fact that the shoe is so close to her skin tone helps mitigate any sense of choppiness at the ankle. This is one of my favorite outfits I've seen for a long time and if I could replicate it completely, I would.

Tights, Leggings, Pants, or Mysterious Amalgam?

I find these 100 denier leggings by Spanish hosiery company, Cecilia de Rafael, fascinating. I love it that they don't hug the ankle like traditional footless tights, but instead fall into a slouchy, boot-cut style and look very sexy over the high heels the model is wearing. I think they'd also look terrific over these Christian Louboutin red d'Orsay Pumps with a crisp white French cuffed shirt and silver cuff links. In the lovely imaginary world I inhabit, I can afford to spend $800 on a pair of shoes, please don't wake me up. Shhhhhhhhh.

The leggings are available on Hosieree.com, which carries an extensive selection of hosiery from European makers like Falke, Transparenze, Girardi, Cervin, Levante and more. I've never ordered from them, but I plan to in the very near future and will report on the whole experience.