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When
black polka dot tights went down Balenciaga's fall
runway, paired with immaculately draped skirts and soft
velvet dresses, they provided a fresh take on the leg
wear generally seen as either heavy and opaque or sheer
and old-fashioned. Patterned tights have become a key
accessory, adding another texture, print or layer to an
outfit.
Whether
lacy, pinstriped or dotted, patterned tights add a
playful quality to an otherwise simple ensemble. Treat
them as you would any other item of clothing. Don't mix
a busy pattern or heavily textured tights with an
equally busy blouse or dress. The tights should add a
pop of quirkiness or subtle sexiness, not create a Punky
Brewster-type mishmash of pieces.
Lace top
and lace tights? Not unless you want to look like a
Victorian curtain. Pair lace tights with something solid
in color and flat in texture, like a simple black dress
and some colored ankle boots. Dark tights are the most
flattering, as black minimizes the size of a leg. A
pinstripe or any vertical pattern will create length, as
will a great pair of heels, of course. Dark tones are
the most versatile and look great during the day with
flats or knee boots, and at night with heels or metallic
oxfords.
But
caution: Wearing dark tights is not a valid excuse to
don a skirt or shorts that are too small for you. If an
item is too short or unflattering on your body, it
shouldn't be in your closet. Tights don't turn "too
small" into "just right."
Wearing
lighter-colored tights, such as a dove gray or soft
ivory, will introduce a romantic element to your outfit.
Pair them with a vintage-inspired dress and lace-up
booties for a look that's more glam than granny. Stick
with a sheer weight when wearing a lighter color. Thick
or nubby tights add bulk and make the leg look shorter.
Tights
can transform an item from day to night, summer to
winter. A black mini dress worn with sandals in the
summer becomes a chic holiday look with sexy zigzag
tights. And tweed shorts become nighttime appropriate
with diamond-print wool tights and a cropped black
blazer.
As an
interesting and generally inexpensive accessory,
patterned tights play well this time of year, breathing
new life into existing pieces and adding a pop of
unexpected texture.
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