Pantyhose-tights Advice
I do feel pantyhose can be aging but let’s be real, they are often necessary! The key to pulling them off is to wear an ultrasheer that is a nude shade that closely matches the color of your skin. Donna Karan makes some excellent sheer nude shades. If you are in between shades, choose the darker, but really nude should look “nude”.
A great alternative is a nude colored fishnet. These look terrific. Wolford makes a great one.
One final point, never wear pantyhose with a strappy sandal or mule!
As for when is a women too old to wear tights, I’d say never. Black or dark brown tights look great in the fall and winter, but come Spring/Summer I would suggest switching to no hose or nude hose.
My thoughts on knee highs with pants? Don’t do it is my first reaction. However, I hate to say the word “never”…so here’s what I suggest. It all really depends on the shoe and pants and how dressy you are going.
If you are wearing:
- jeans and flats – no socks or hose
- jeans and heels or sandals – no socks or hose
- jeans and a loafer. Thin dress socks are good but in a dark color. (no white ones) Barefoot O.K. Do not wear knee highs.
- Khakis. (same rules as for jeans…however do not wear heels or dress shoes with khakis) Never hose with khakis.
- Dress Pants.- If wearing closed toed pumps or flats you can wear knee highs or hose or go barefoot. If wearing “peep toed” heels or flats no hose. If wearing any type of sandal or mule, no hose.
Sheer or Opaque, what type of pantyhose to wear with what?
There’s no doubt that all black hosiery is created equal. There are ton’s of weights and textures to legwear these days, and it certainly does not stop at basic black. However, at a certain age, your pantyhose wardrobe should stop at crazy colors and exaggerated textures… just sayin’.
What legwear you choose to wear really has more to do with the styling of your outfit and the weight of its fabric. But, as an overall guide, the length of your skirt is the best gauge for how heavy or sheer your hose should be.
The shorter your skirt, the darker and more matte your tights look best, like the pair pictured above. Opt for a very opaque pair that you cannot see any skin through to create a long and solid leg line in balance with your barely-there skirt.
Opaque tights that have some visibility through them look best with dresses closer to your knee or below. Usually, the denier (weight) for these is semi-opaque.
Very sheer hose looks best at night or with a simple LBD and sexy pumps. You may even want to try some lights textured hose, like a pin dot for some drama.
The midi hemline that’s making a return appearance, honestly looks best when work with boots in the winter or platforms in the warmer months to create a more slid base to balance the longer hemline.
Thick to thin, there’s a legwear style for you…
Tips to wearing tights properly
Tips to wearing tights properly. Today, tights come in all wonderful shades, types and material. Getting the right pair for your look is important.
Known as tights or in the America as pantyhose, most forms cover the waist to the tips of your toes, hence their name tights.
Whether worn for work to great nights out, tights offer a great combination of keeping your legs warm while giving them a great look finish. Getting the right tight look for your social occasion can sometime cause a conundrum.
We have put together some tips to help you choose the tights that suit you. We also look at ways you can maintain their look for future wear.
Experiment with different colours
Tights that are brightly coloured can really enhance the finish to any outfit. If you decide on tights that are not black, always make sure the rest of your look is neutral.
Match your outfit with the same colour as your tights for a head-to-toe monochromatic look. Bear in mind that if you go bold with your tights colour, attention will be drawn to your legs.
Know when to wear opaque
Remember, the shorter your hemline, the more opaque your tights need to be. By choosing to wear thicker tights, you’ll not only visually elongate your tights but also minimise the risk of showing an inevitable run.
The fashion term for the opaqueness of tights is known as a “denier” number. The greater the number, the more opaque the tights are.
In general, opaque tights have a denier of 40 or more. A denier of less than 30 is going to be sheer. Sheer tights are ok when pairing with knee-high boots that show a sliver of leg
Always check for damages
You can’t afford any embarrassing moments. You want your chosen outfit to look sophisticated at all times. It’s always important to do a quick minute once over check on your tights before wear.
You need to know they are in good shape.Before wearing, scan them closely for any unsightly runs or holes. If you see even the smallest snag or rip then ditch them for a new pair. A damaged pair of tights can lead to unwanted attention. Play it safe.
Pair them well
Here’s a good rule of thumb to remember. Always match your tights to the colour of your shoes, or to the dominant colour of the outfit you’re wearing. This will ensure that you that great put-together look.
How to stop that dreaded run
The next time you get a run or hole in your tights, simply spray it with hairspray. This harden the edges and prevent it from widening. You can also coat the edges with clear nail polish, which will have the same effect.
Wash them wisely
Most of you know that the best way to clean your tights is by hand. Remember, the more wear and tear you put on the fibres, the more likely they are to run.
However, if time is against you, sling your tights in a mesh laundry bag and wash them on a delicate cycle. This will help stop snagging in the washing machine.
