how do I wear tights now help

[Anonymous]

In my youth I wore more pants and suits, especially in winter.

But now that I am middle aged and apple shaped, my favorite more formal business outfit in summer is a dress with bare legs and flats.

I don’t know how to pull it off in cold weather. Will opaque tights and ballet flats make me look weird? Do I need low boots of some kind?

My goals are to look appropriate/authoritative, to not have my clothes be that noticeable, and to be comfortable. Definitely no heels. Should I just wear pants until Spring?

[Anonymous]

I wear mostly dresses as well. For me, it’s tights with a flat/ low- heel tall boot. Sometimes I might wear tights and flats.

[Anonymous]

I think you can do the same silhouette as your summer look, just with tights.

Try it on and look in the mirror? You can always switch the shoes. I like fleece-lined tights which are super opaque and also warm.

[Anonymous]

I wear dresses + tights + black knee high boots in the winter (leather or suede).

[Anonymous]

Tights with flats look pretty weird. Maybe try a wedge shaped shoe? Or tall boots?

[Anonymous]

You can wear tights with flats, you just need the right tights and the right flats.

Oxfords and loafers can both look great with tights, and loafers in particular are very in fashion right now so there are lots of options out there.

If you wear ballet flats or another more dainty shoe, make sure the tights are very light weight and fit your foot really well, as you don't want any bunching around your foot or ankle. They don't have to be sheer, but a lower denier will usually look more proportional with a more lightweight shoe.

And yes, a pair of boots always looks good with tights. For work, I'd look for something that fits close to the leg and isn't too chunky in the heel. Also, pay attention to the appearance of the boots upper. I would look for something that blended in with the tights so that you create a nice line from your hem to your heel, which means a flat, matte black finish and few embellishments.

[Anonymous]

PP has the right advice for weight of tight relative to shoes. I wear tights a lot, and pair sheer or semi-sheer with flats, and opaque, heavier-weight tights with boots or booties. Indeed, there's a problem with the latter, because if it's a slippery fabric (and unless you have cotton or wool tights, the other fabrics are always slippery), it slides around in my heftier winter boots - I think I need a inner sole on days I wear that combination.

I LOVE tights, and grew up in Europe wearing woolen ones on cold winter days. If you're looking for that sort of thing, buy German brands online, like Falke. They don't have as much give, but they're very good quality and will keep you warm.

One thing about cotton and wool - they might stick to your dress, unless the dress has a slip underneath. For more polished looks, artificial fibers have a smaller knit and look smoother.

[Anonymous]

You guys, this is all so helpful. Thank you so much. -OP

[Anonymous]

NP.

Does anyone know of Scandinavian / European style blogs? I would love to figure out how to get that combination of warm and practical but still somehow very stylish look some women have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP has the right advice for weight of tight relative to shoes. I wear tights a lot, and pair sheer or semi-sheer with flats, and opaque, heavier-weight tights with boots or booties. Indeed, there's a problem with the latter, because if it's a slippery fabric (and unless you have cotton or wool tights, the other fabrics are always slippery), it slides around in my heftier winter boots - I think I need a inner sole on days I wear that combination.

I LOVE tights, and grew up in Europe wearing woolen ones on cold winter days. If you're looking for that sort of thing, buy German brands online, like Falke. They don't have as much give, but they're very good quality and will keep you warm.

One thing about cotton and wool - they might stick to your dress, unless the dress has a slip underneath. For more polished looks, artificial fibers have a smaller knit and look smoother.

I have the same problem with boots and tights, and will sometimes wear a pair of socks over my tights so that my boots fits better. For work, I make sure the socks don't show, though for a more casual look it can actually be cute to have the socks peeking out if they compliment the rest of the outfit.

[Anonymous]

RIP pantyhose--totally solved the problem of what to wear on your legs with skirts and dresses in the winter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:RIP pantyhose--totally solved the problem of what to wear on your legs with skirts and dresses in the winter.

Essentially the same thing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP has the right advice for weight of tight relative to shoes. I wear tights a lot, and pair sheer or semi-sheer with flats, and opaque, heavier-weight tights with boots or booties. Indeed, there's a problem with the latter, because if it's a slippery fabric (and unless you have cotton or wool tights, the other fabrics are always slippery), it slides around in my heftier winter boots - I think I need a inner sole on days I wear that combination.

I LOVE tights, and grew up in Europe wearing woolen ones on cold winter days. If you're looking for that sort of thing, buy German brands online, like Falke. They don't have as much give, but they're very good quality and will keep you warm.

One thing about cotton and wool - they might stick to your dress, unless the dress has a slip underneath. For more polished looks, artificial fibers have a smaller knit and look smoother.

I have the same problem with boots and tights, and will sometimes wear a pair of socks over my tights so that my boots fits better. For work, I make sure the socks don't show, though for a more casual look it can actually be cute to have the socks peeking out if they compliment the rest of the outfit.

In these cases I prefer footless tights plus socks in my ankle boots.

[Anonymous]

Another question:
I have a pair of black boots that work well with black tights and dresses. Can I wear them with navy dresses? If not, what do you do with those?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another question:
I have a pair of black boots that work well with black tights and dresses. Can I wear them with navy dresses? If not, what do you do with those?

In my view, yes absolutely.

This year I splurged on a pair of tall navy boots. I have far more navy than black, which is not the best color for me.