If I could only go around in skirt/skirt/short shorts, I would do so. Not so much because I have a particular love for these garments, but more so because I love stockings. I have a ton of it and I cry my heart for not having enough courage to turn around in winter (I'm sorry, even woolen ones are too light for me). However, I can never find the fantasies I like in the Calzedonia and Co. collections. The polka dots I already have them, the glittery stockings I find importable, the worked ones are too chic and when I finally find a pattern that I like, those tights already have them all. At this point, all that remains is for them to do.
As for how to paint stockings, there is an avalanche of tutorials on the Internet: I followed that of the delicious Annika of Pineneedle Collection.
a pair of socks, the cheapest you find, of whatever colour you want. I've used those 20 denier; ideally you can use even heavier ones, but the color attacks less. If your (my) problem is that you will die of cold in February with 20 denier socks, you can always wear them over your favorite pair of woolen socks. In fact, I advise you to take tights of a larger size than yours, especially if you are thinner (usually up to the M you should take a larger size).
Acrylic Painting. If you have colour for fabrics, it's not good because the socks are made of synthetic fabric and therefore the colour for fabrics comes off in a moment (unfortunately here is the experience that speaks). Tranquille: acrylic doesn't go through the fabric completely, so you will only have traces of colour on your legs if you put a quintal, which you don't have to do (follow further explanations).
Brush.
Stencil.
Top coat (even the cheapest).
Someone who responds to the phone, the doorbell and lives in your place for the whole duration of this tutorial, because you will not be able to move and above all it will take....
Create your own stencils. You can cut out hearts, as I have done, or birds (as Annika did) or leaflets or anything that passes through your head: socks are yours and you can paint what you like the most. If you are pro, you can also paint by hand. Wear the socks and, using the stencils, paint the back of your legs. Try to spread the acrylic evenly and do not exaggerate, otherwise the color will crack much more easily once dry (not to mention the fact that drying will take four times more time). Once the stencil has been removed, it may be necessary to go back over the contours of the figure you have chosen because it may be a little inaccurate.
Once you have painted the stockings to your liking, let the paint dry: it will take about half an hour and, if you are impatient, you can use the hairdryer to speed things up. If you have to move around, wander around the house like a robot: in any case, do not bend your legs or the painting will get ruined. When you are sure that the colour is dry, apply a layer of topcoats. Then let it dry. When you remove the stockings, first pass your hands between them and the skin. Painting will be "sticky" to the skin, but you will continue unless you feel that the color is not completely dry. For safety, leave the socks to dry one night before repeating the operation on the back.
Now go and show your personality around the world!