The cool temperatures bring with them the perfect opportunity for us to spruce up our wardrobes with a little bit of flair and individuality. When you’re just not in the mood to wiggle into those skinny jeans, you can don a whole new look with the right pair of tights. Or if it’s not quite warm enough to sport that dress and you’re feeling a bit of 80s nostalgia, you can always slip into a comfortable pair of leggings.

Perhaps the best part of this trend is that both items are typically inexpensive and can be found for under $20. While there are luckily many styles, colors and patterns for tights and leggings, the trends from year to year do change slightly, so it’s important to keep your supply up to snuff. You definitely don’t have to break the bank on this trend- a new pair or 2 will definitely do the trick!

Tights: The Latest Trends

If you bought textured tights last season, the fashion gods must have been smiling upon you. This year, it’s take 2 for these feisty numbers (or 3, for that matter). So slap those black lacies on- and remember, they can be dressed down for days at work and for nights, taken up a notch on the sizzle factor when paired with the right mini.

If you live in a cold-weather climate and the thought of sheer lace prints covers your legs in goose bumps, rest easy. Flannel-lined, full-footed tights provide more coverage and are still style-friendly.

While you can and should experiment with patterns, exercise restraint and consider subtle hues. Speaking of hues, if you’re daring enough, you can go for bold colors like mustard yellow or even green but proceed with caution. All it takes is a wrong print or accessory to throw this look off. To keep from clashing, consider pairing bright colors with dark, neutral coats. Or vice versa if your dress or skirt has an extra pop of color – grays and muted shades work best here.

And just in case you were wondering but too afraid to ask, unless it’s Halloween, the tights riddled with holes need to stay in the closet. On that note, the Lady Gaga fitness-inspired look complete with leotard and belt is not for everyday wear.

Tights: How to Wear Them

If the thought of wearing tights takes you back to your elementary school days, then perhaps it may be stretching it for you to consider a bold blue or purple. But if you’re open to the idea, consider tossing those nude hose and replacing them with a modern-day fashion maven must-have: black opaque tights. There are numerous benefits to this staple. For one, they’ll help slim the appearance of any leg. Two, it may even help you push the envelope and venture out for a night out on the town in a skirt or dress that you may otherwise have thought too short.

If you’re getting into the late winter doldrums and could use an ample dose of adventure, you can try your hand at a trend first seen this fall, during fashion week. Make year-round use of those shorts in your closet and considering pairing them with a pair of black tights. To make this trend work, consider fabrics like wool, velvet or tweed for your shorts. If you have an ample dose of confidence, you could even mix it with some cutoffs. To complete the look, you’ll want to wear either a sweater or T-shirt layered with a cardigan. This is a perfect option if you’re getting bored during those in-between, “transition” months.

Leggings: The Latest Trends

The good news is that leggings aren’t just in black anymore. While you could still opt for that smoky gray, you may instead go for bold neons, show-stopping sparkles or even a bit of sheen. Some varieties come with a bit of animal print flair at the trim.

And even though animal print may be a residual from last-year’s leggings trends, if you find you want to give yours another go, be cautious when sporting leggings completely clad in leopard, cheetah, or any kind of animal print, for that matter. To pull of the animal attraction, your best bet is to mix these with a dark tailored blazer and long tunic.

You’ll also want to avoid sheer, panty hose-esque varieties and those that crop at the knee.

Leggings: How to Wear Them

One of the most important rules with leggings is to make sure to cover up that bum – after all, we’re not going to a gymnastics competition. While petite women won’t have as much of a problem with this, they’ll have to make sure not to get tops that are too long.

Luckily, there are a number of tops to match just about any taste! For a night out on the town, one option is to sport a long, one-shouldered top that could almost pass for a super short dress. Or, if you’re just running out to the store, a long, white button-down shirt with tails may work best. When it’s jacket weather, consider layering your leggings with a classic trench or peppy plaid number. Otherwise, layering with vests can also make for a fun look.

As a general rule of thumb, avoid tight tops with leggings. If you want to wear a dress, that’s fine but keep it at the knees or above. For shoes, stick to the basics with ballerina flats, pumps, or a great pair of ankle boots.

If you’re still a little leery of the years-long leggings craze, there are just a couple things you’ll need to avoid. The first is to leave the house wearing a sweatshirt with your leggings. While this is quite acceptable for a night of relaxation, it’s not really something to be seen in whilst taking a stroll past the women’s perfume counter at the mall.

Secondly, remember that leggings are not meant to be worn as pants. When in doubt, think of your leggings as an accessory to your outfit. Pick out your look and then see how the leggings complement it. And remember, this trend works well for a variety of ages, it only takes a little legwork to figure out what works best for you.