Knees Forward

The return of the mini offers trend addicts an opportunity to pile on one more accessory: thigh-highs. These long socks--or short stockings, if you prefer--are are favorite of the grand dame of style, Madonna, who wore them to a recent society benefit.

Made of cotton, wool or a cotton blend, thigh-highs cost $6 to $28. They stay up by means of an elasticized top or by long, dangly ties which are meant to be wrapped around, then knotted. Either way, they show plenty of thigh.

“It’s a fashion-forward way to wear leg coverings as opposed to panty hose,” says Patty Ross of Ron Ross in Tarzana. “They’re not binding around the top.” But, whatever you do, don’t cover them with a maxiskirt--that would be, well, fashion-backward.

A hip Burbank casting assistant says: “One of my favorite outfits is baggy blue jean shorts rolled up high over the legs. Then I yank up the thigh highs so there’s just a little bit of line between the cuff and the knee. Then I wear suspenders on the shorts.”

It’s that “little bit of line” that’s the key. “It sort of reminds you of those French maids in all those old movies,” she says.

The thigh-highs without ties, however, are not for everyone. Laments a thin artist: “If you have skinny legs, they just don’t stay up.”