LADIES, a new trend has arrived that promises to keep you warm in the winter months and safe from perverts when you're out and about.

An image going viral on Sina Weibo - the Chinese equivalent of Twitter - purports to promote 'hairy stockings'.

The picture shows a pair of legs hairy from thigh to ankle but non-hairy feet - leaving the gender of the subject open to debate.

''Super sexy, summertime anti-pervert full-leg-of-hair stockings, essential for young girls going out,'' the post reads, according to trend watcher ChinaSMACK.

The leg trend has attracted a mixed public response.

''Essential for the subway?'' asks one person.