Consider yourself lucky, ladies. One of the hottest fashion items right now are as inexpensive as $5. That’s right… drop by your local H&M, Forever21 or online store and refresh your wardrobe with some fun tights and stockings. It’s all you need this winter to give your look an on-trend flare of fashion.

Pair them with over-the-knee boots for a peek-a-boo effect, or show off your colorful gams by pairing them with ankle boots or ballet flats. These versatile tights of any color or pattern can be worn under a long top, long sweatshirt, sweater dress, or mini skirt.

My favorite print tights (top photo) draw in the floral trend with sophistication. While other stockings are just plain fun and flirty. Here are some do’s and don’ts for keeping it tight(s).

Don’t wear tights with a top that does not cover your rear. Tights are not a replacement for pants, but an accessory to spice up your outfit.

Don’t wear more then one pattern. Don’t let things get too busy. When wearing patterned tights you will want to wear a solid colored top.

Don’t wear a tight top with your tights. By wearing a more flowing top, it will keep your legs looking lean and long.

Do keep your outfit balanced. Color matching your shoes and top well help everything to stay balanced.

Do wear a solid top when wearing patterned or printed tights. Don’t overdo it with the patterns and colors or you will soon find yourself back in the 80’s.

Do stick with solid-colored shoes, and go for a head to toe, monochromatic color scheme if you’re going to mix lots of patterns and textures.

Do layer. Layering is the key to pulling off this seasons hottest new fashion tights styles. These key items will help you to accessorize and add to this new style:

* Tunics
* Sweater Dresses
* Vests
* Jackets
* Banded Shirts
* High Heeled Ankle Boots
* Knee High Boots
* Thigh High Boots
* Ballet Flats
* Scarfs

There are several great places to stock up on stockings. I recently got some great solids in fun colors and prints at H&M. Other places to check out are Stockingirl.com, GreatStyleDeals.com and (where all the photos in this post came from) TheUpFactory.com.

(Helpful hint: The Up Factory is a French company, so if you want to read their web site, go to http://babelfish.yahoo.com/ and put TheUpFactory.com in the “translate a web page” field.)