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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.

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tights tips and tricks you need to know

#1. Wash them after every class.

Sweat and bacteria can build up in the fabric and cause odor and sometimes even infection over time. That’s why it is very important to always come to class, rehearsal or a performance in clean, dry dancewear. You can wash your tights in the washing machine with cold water and delicate detergent (like Woolite). Be careful not to wash your light tights with dark colors that might dull the hue or with zippered clothing that might snag the fabric. You can also hand wash your tights with a simple bar of Dove soap. But instead of throwing your tights in the dryer, hang them to air dry over your shower to maintain their elasticity and prevent pilling.

#2. Stop a snag with clear nail polish.

A tiny hole in a pair of tights can quickly turn into a run all the way down your leg! Prevent holes from expanding and snags from running by dabbing a bit of clear nail polish along the frayed seam. The sticky polish (or a spritz of hairspray) will act as a “glue” to hold the fabric together.

Or better still, indulge yourself with Só Dança’sdurable, run-proof tights, and never worry about a ladder again!

#3. Don’t stay in sweaty tights.

Sitting in sweaty, tight clothing can cause irritation or even an infection “down there.” Pack baby wipes and an extra pair of tights in your dance bag if you have a long day of rehearsal or class.

#4. Know your options.

There are many different kinds of tights to choose from. A traditional pair of tights, like a pair of stockings, is fully-footed. Nowadays, however, you can purchase transition/convertible tights with an elastic hole in the sole so you can cover or free your feet from your tights (great for going from pointe shoes to flip flops!). Stirrup tights leave your forefoot and heel open — great for contemporary or lyrical dances where you’re barefoot. Another option for barefoot dancing is footless tights that stop at your ankle. And then fishnet tights — which literally look like netting to catch fish because of the diamond-shaped knit material — are common in musical theater and jazz dance.

#5. You can finally find your shade!

Dancewear companies used to make just one shade of “tan” tights. But thankfully, dancers nowadays have many more choices .

Nylon/spandex material takes very well to dye, if you want to create a specific skin color (or a vibrant color…or even tie dye!), but make sure you rinse the tights several times with white vinegar (to wash out the excess dye) before throwing them in the washing machine with other clothes.

#6. Recycle your old tights.

Pierced a hole in the foot of your tights? Can’t get the dirty marks off your knees? Cut your tights with scissors to make a pair of “shorts” to wear over your leotard in ballet class or under your leotard and skirt for a little extra coverage. Or, you can use an old pair of tights to remove deodorant marks on dark clothes, shine a dull pair of shoes or even dust your room. Fill a cut square of your tights with dried lavender, and tie it off with a bow to create a potpourri sachet for your sock drawer or dance bag. You can also cut loops from your tight legs to use as hair ties and hairbands!