How to Wear Tights--The First Installment of WWTALD?

Well, dear reader...here it is! Our very first installment of "What Would The Accessorized Life Do?"

Thanks to a reader post, we have decided to dedicate this first WWTALD to how to wear tights.

In this post, I have modeled 3 different outfits, each with three different pairs of tights. The tights are mild (plain black), medium (dusty purple) and hot, hot, hot (hot pink)!

Here are some general rules of thumb when choosing your flavor of tights:
1) Go for "mild" (the blacks, tans, browns, navies...the neutrals) if your outfit is colorful, you are going somewhere that you don't want to stick out (like to a conservative office--like a law firm, or on a job interview) or you are new to tights and feeling a little trepidation about how to wear them. With "mild" tights you can wear big, bold accessories, because your tights are not the stand-out piece of your outfit, they are merely one part of it.

2) Go for "medium" (pale blues, greens, muted purples, reds...the "could be neutrals with the right outfit" colors) if you are feeling a little frisky, the color of the tights compliments, or can be found in, your outfit, or you are getting ready to go bolder with your tights choices. If you are going for "medium," you can either be bold or conservative in your accessories choices. The tights can either be the stand-out piece of your outfit, or they can simply be one component of a fabulous look.

3) Go for "hot, hot, hot" (electric blue, neon purple, hot pink, orange...the bright, stand-out colors) if your outfit is monochromatic and you are looking to make your tights the star of the show. If you are wearing brightly colored tights, make sure your outfit is all black, blacks and grays, all browns...your outfit should be the neutral--your tights will be your bold accessory and your stand-out piece of the outfit. Be careful to wear shoes that aren't too flashy and to wear simple, understated accessories--belts, bracelets, necklaces--because you don't want to look too overdone and you don't want to lose the wow factor of the amazing tights. Also, NEVER, EVER, EVER match your brightly colored tights to your outfit. If you have electric blue in your outfit, DO NOT wear electric blue tights! You will look like a cartoon character, one of the Wiggles, a six year old or, simply, a fashion disaster.

I am bringing you three separate outfits: a wear to work outfit, a day to night outfit and a fun night on the town outfit. Each outfit will feature bare legs (so you can see the outfit on its own), a "mild" version (with the black tights), a "medium" version (with the dusty purple tights) and a "hot, hot, hot" version (with the hot pink tights). With each pair of tights I choose, the look of the outfit changes. Check it out!

In the wear to work outfit, I have paired a plain black v-neck sweater with a knee-length nubby, knit pencil skirt that has a little bit of shimmer to it, and a pair of black patent-leather alligator pumps. I hope that you notice that with the black tights, the skirt is the star of the show. It is a conservative outfit that is perfect for your first day on the job, a meeting with a big client, or any day that you want to look professional, polished and put together. With the dusty purple tights, they add a bit of spice to the outfit, but don't take away from the skirt. The outfit has a great little pop of color to brighten your day, or anyone else's who looks at your outfit. You still look polished and professional, but you also look super stylish. With the hot pink tights, the tights are the CLEAR star of the outfit. The outfit is still professional, but--and trust me on this one--people aren't going to notice your sparkly skirt or your fabulous shoes. But, they will comment on your tights, and will certainly notice them. Wear these tights to work on a day where you want to get noticed and you want to stand out from the crowd. Wear them on a day when you want a pick-me-up, because it is truly impossible not to smile when you see your hot pink legs!

The day to night outfit is a great cap-sleeve, fitted black and white marled dress with a black cardigan on top (for day...take it off and show off your fabulous dress at night!). It is paired with black suede and snakeskin pumps with silver zipper detail. With the black tights, the outfit is simple and understated. You will still look beautiful, but this outfit doesn't "pop." It is classic, conservative and pretty. With the dusty purple tights, the outfit has just a little "punch." It brightens up the outfit, makes the dress stand out a little bit more and definitely sets you apart from the crowd. Again, with the hot pink tights, the tights are the CLEAR star of the outfit. This outfit is still polished and professional, but it suddenly becomes super fun! With the hot pink tights, it is super simple to take off the cardigan and go, instantly, from day to night.

In the "for fun" outfit, I paired a fitted black sweater dress with little black heeled booties with zipper detail down the sides. With the black tights, the outfit is totally monochromatic. In this case, your body is the clear star of the show. (WARNING--if you are not comfortable with your body, avoid a black dress with black tights!) This is the perfect outfit to pair with bold accessories--with a brightly colored scarf, a big, chunky necklace or a bold, beautiful belt. With the dusty purple tights, the dress totally pops in the outfit. However, the tights add a little hint of something special--just that little bit of intrigue! And, again, the hot pink tights are the CLEAR star of the outfit! Your eyes are immediately drawn to the tights (and your legs...mee-yow!). This outfit is a total stand-out for a night on the town with a date, your friends, or your family.

Hopefully, after my little picture tutorial, you (especially you, Kelli!) will feel more comfortable wearing tights. Tights can make the outfit--they can say "look at my accessories" or "look at me."

Good luck on your own adventures with tights...let us know here at The Accessorized Life how you wear your tights!