That nip in the air is back, which means it's time to cover up. But that doesn't mean that fashionistas who have been wearing shorts and skirts over the summer have to give up doing that entirely. All they need to do is grab a pair of stockings — that 80s wardrobe staple that has now made a fashion comeback — and wear them over their legs.  Here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing stockings:

- Color: The most popular colors when it comes to stockings are nude and black. While the nude variety works best for the day, black stockings are usually worn at night. However, if you want to get adventurous, you can also pick up colored stockings — such as red or green — and team them with light and bright dresses.

- Pattern: While the most popular picks come in solid colors, there are some in wacky patterns as well. Women who want to look extra feminine can opt for lace stockings and those who want to make an edgy statement can try out the geometric or graphics variety. And though it's usually a no-no to get a run in your stockings, there are some stars like Rihanna who have channeled their inner grunge diva by wearing a deliberately ripped pair.

- Footwear: It's important to choose the right footwear when you're wearing stockings. The safest bet is a pair of ballet flats if you're wearing a short skirt, or heels if you're dressing up formally. However, you can wear stockings with wedge sneakers, like Cara Delevingne.

The perks of wearing stockings:
- Stockings keep your legs warm when the weather is cold
- They give women who don't have the confidence to bare their legs a way to wear skirts, shorts and short dresses
- Stockings have a slimming effect on the legs, especially if they're black

Stockings vs pantyhose
Stockings cover only the feet and thighs, while pantyhose goes all the way up to the waist

TIP: If you're worried about your stockings rolling down your legs, use a pair of garters to hold them up.

Hosiery comes in a range of thicknesses and weight, which is measured in terms of denier. The basic rule to follow is, the lower the denier number, the more sheer the stockings, and vice-versa.