When hot girl summer came to a close last year, I couldn’t stop thinking about those fishnet crop tops I kept spotting on my weekends at the beach. All summer long, I noticed beautiful fishnet-clad bodies of all shapes and sizes along the Jacob Riis boardwalk. In their neon fishnet tops stretched over Chromat swimsuits, they looked electrifying doing the most mundane tasks — waiting in line for a hotdog at Two Dudes, slathering one another with sunscreen. I wanted to find a way to work fishnets into my everyday wardrobe, but found it a challenge. Wearing a fishnet top on its own clashed with my understated aesthetic, while fishnet tights, even when paired with a simple skirt and top, felt too busy.
One day while cruising Amazon for a cheap pair of leopard-print leggings (a last-minute purchase for a friend’s leopard-themed birthday party), I discovered the answer to my fishnet quandary: a fishnet body stocking. It may not immediately scream versatile basic — especially when shown on a model wearing it with nothing other than a pair of stilettos — but bear with me: When layered beneath a polished work dress, peeking out below the sleeves and continuing the party down below, it makes for an unexpectedly elegant look.
Dreamgirl Women’s Fishnet Bodystocking
From $11
Aside from adding intrigue to otherwise unexciting officewear, it also happens to look great layered under a T-shirt and skirt or shorts for more casual occasions. I’m in a punk band, and constantly struggle to look cooler than I actually am. But when I wear the fishnet body stocking under, say, a tee and miniskirt, I feel untouchable. The look is a tad louche; just enough to convey that the person wearing it is at least a little bit — possibly even outrageously — fun. And while the crotchless-bottom area is obviously intended for other nighttime activities, it’s actually quite practical when you find yourself needing to use the restroom in a too-small stall.
I’ve never once worn my fishnet suit without someone asking where I got it. Most recently, I tucked it under a belted COS dress for a MoMA opening — the look elicited cries of approval from every single one of my friends, plus a charmingly bespectacled man carrying a chihuahua in his sweater.
A note: When wearing a full-body fishnet, snags will undoubtedly occur. Fortunately, the price tag means it’s possible to procure a few backups.
Source: https://nymag.com/strategist/article/fishnet-bodystocking-ode.html