The Working Closet
with Susan Wagner
The Working Closet is your source for the best of what's hip and fresh in fashion and beauty. Susan Wagner keeps you up-to-date on trends and offers tips and tricks for making everything in your closet truly work for you.
You can also catch Susan over at Working Closet.
|
It’s party time, which means that most of us are standing in the closet wondering what the hell to wear to the next gathering. Sometimes, we’ve got the big picture down but are lost when it comes to the details. Specifically, what to wear on our legs.
“I’m going to a holiday party in a few weeks,” writes Laura, “and have a great sleeveless, knee length black wrap dress that I’m going to wear. What kind of hosiery and shoe style would be appropriate this season–not crazy about the vibrant colored tight look. As an additional note, we live near Chicago so it’s quite cold already. Any advice is appreciated.”
Let’s start with hosiery: I would recommend an opaque black tight with Laura’s dress; it’s hipper than a sheer black stocking and will create a nice long leg line. DKNY has super opaque control top tights (also available without the control top, if you prefer). I’m also intrigued by the metal luxe opaque tights, which have just a hint of shimmer — but this is a look for toned, slim legs. Trust me.
Hue has great opaque tights, too, both with and without the control top. And Hue has the best colors, if that’s the route you want to go this winter (I bought a pair in Ink Blue this week — LOVE).
What shoes should Laura pair with her tights? She has a variety of options. A basic black pump is classic, while a bootie or peep toe is a little edgy. A colored pump can be tricky with black tights, but a colored peep toe will work (yes, even with tights). And a patterned pump — in a snakeskin or leopard print — is great with black tights.
If black tights aren’t Laura’s thing, she can do a Kate Middleton and opt for sheer stockings. She needs to choose carefully, though, because cheap stockings will look — well, cheap. Find a pair with a high denier count; they will look more natural and be less likely to run. And choose a pair that matches the color of the skin on your arms, especially if you’re pairing them with a sleeveless dress. You want your legs to look flawless, not like you’re wearing panty hose.
Donna Karan’s The Nudes collection is hands-down the best sheer stocking you can buy; my one complaint is that the shades are limited, so these are best for girls with lighter skin. But these are the most natural look you’ll find anywhere — if you want a nude leg without freezing or exposing any flaws, this is the way to go.
Do not wear nude hose with open-toed shoes or slingbacks, ever; pair your sheer stockings with a classic pump or court shoe, in either a basic neutral or a fun color. Nude hose and skin-toned shoes will make your legs look super long.
What’s your plan for hose and shoes this holiday season? Are you baring your legs or covering up? And let’s hear about your shoes! They’re the best part of party dressing, of course.
Subscribe to blog via RSS
This thing I find with wrap dresses and tights (if this is any sort of knit wrap dress) is that I need some sort of slip to go under the dress to keep the cling at bay. Is there some secret I don’t know?
Corey | December 2nd, 2011 at 10:04 am
Susan, you mentioned that you prefer bare legs (as do I) but I always get hung up about the fact that my dresses/skirts/coats are winter weight and it feels weird to not dress my legs approriately. Is this something I should just get over?
caroline | December 2nd, 2011 at 10:25 am
Ooh good questions!
Corey, a slip is a must with a knit dress of any sort, as well as with any woven cotton skirt or dress — or with ANY unlined dress or skirt that you’re wanting to wear with tights. A short half slip is the best option (one that hits just above the knee) in black or nude (I’d do black under a black wrap dress, in case the dress shifts).
Caroline, I think bare legs are all about your comfort level: if you feel better in tights or hose, then go for it. But a winter-weight dress or skirt is fine with bare legs. Think of it this way: it’s like wearing a sleeveless or short-sleeved winter-weight dress — you wouldn’t necessarily feel compelled to add a cardigan (or arm warmers!) just because you were baring your arms in the winter. Right?
Although I will say that in really cold weather, this is an evening-only look — you can get away with things at night that you cannot pull off during the day (super high heels, lots of bling, bare legs — that sort of thing).
Susan | December 2nd, 2011 at 11:07 am
With my wrap dresses, I do both tights and pumps and boots. Boots might be an option for Laura, depending on the dress code.
I am planning on wearing a fun sequin skirt, black tights and gray suede booties next week for my husband’s holiday party. This is a little bit more “out there” than I usually wear to work events. We’ll see what happens!
elz | December 3rd, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Are patterned tights okay with a patterned dress? I am thinking no…probably best to do one or the other. I am going to wear a solid black pump. Thanks!
Amy | December 4th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Amy, I would not do a patterned tight with a patterned dress — but you could possibly do a textured tight (like a rib or cable) depending on the dress. Caveat: textured tights are pretty casual (they’re great for day) — for evening, I think you want a very opaque and maybe slightly shiny or metallic tight (although an opaque tight with a flat finish is also a terrific option).
Susan | December 5th, 2011 at 8:05 am