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By Pat Doran
and Colleen McCarthy
Fash.Net
 Legs
are back in fashion. Not since the 60's when miniskirts and
hotpants ushered in a decade of colored, printed and fishnet
stockings, have legs enjoyed so much exposure. Modernist Jean-Paul
Gaultier is just one of the fashion leaders who is doing the haute
leg, giving bodysuits and hosiery a brand new luxury twist for
Spring 2000.
The fishnet, as opposed to the Internet, hosiery plays a big
role in this hosiery revival. Fashion's favorite designers have
put them on the runways and pronounced them chic. That's a long
way from the time when they were associated with cabaret dancers,
ladies of the night or Punk rockers.
Putting things in perspective, the current exhibition at The
Fashion Institute of Technology, entitled The Little Black
Dress and Other Signs of Status, is about black as a status
symbol and how the same style connotes different meanings,
depending on who wears it. As FIT's curator says: "By covering her
legs in black hose, a woman may signal poverty, chastity, bohemian
insouciance, or decrepitude. Opaque black hose bespeaks an urge to
walk in shadows whether for modesty or seduction; black fishnets
are imbued with an essence of hookerdom" regardless if they were
bought at Prada or Fredericks of Hollywood. But all of this is
changing quickly. Young Hollywood is embracing fishnets worn alone
or over bright colored tights along with back-seamed nets that do
wonders for the legs.
"Blame Canada" for the line dancers wearing fishnets provided
by Danskin during the Oscar performance by Robin Williams.
According to L'Wren Scott, style director for this years Oscars
"The fishnets brilliantly completed the dancers' outfits, and the
dancers loved them."
Now if you're ready to join the fishnet crowd here are a few
suggestions. Try colors such as nude, cocoa and off-white to
update office looks. Pair fishnets with checked pants for a
Hollywood glam look. Layer fishnets with hues of pink, red, or
blue hosiery underneath. Use caution when pairing layered fishnets
with flower prints.
Still feeling a little uneasy about trying on a pair of
fishnets? Wolford reinterprets the fishnet look in a pattern
called Timaios. A combination of contrasting stripes on a
net background which render the look of fishnet with the benefit
of a slimming effect on the leg.
...AND NOW FOR MORE LEGGY LOOKS
 Known
for innovative and sexy bodywear, Wolford teamed with fashion
designer Jean-Paul Gaultier to offer special edition garments for
Spring 2000.
Gaultier's inspiration led to the development of a pair of
tights with a trompe-l'oeil effect of seamed stockings, making it
much easier to keep the seam in the center where it belongs. The
most exciting of the collection includes a bodysuit with standup
collar reminiscent of "corsetiere", with a trompe-l'oeil bra and
panty knitted into the one-piece body stocking. The final piece
reminiscent of the film "Fifth Element" a faux garter-belt, string
panties, seamed knee-highs with a reciprocated, reinforced, heel
all in one piece.
Legs have always stood on their own when it came to changing
fashion. Women revolted in the 70's when long skirts threatened to
cover up this favorite asset.
Never underestimate the power of the
leg.
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