Spice Up Your Wardrobe With Patterned Tights

If you’re looking for a way to add a little excitement to your 40+ wardrobe, then patterned tights are a classy way to do that. These days you’ll find an endless array of tights to choose from, including lace, dotted, pinstriped, swirly, patterned, and colored.

Even though you may think they look fabulous on the runway, patterned tights can feel a little scary to try if you’ve never worn them. They’re a pretty powerful accessory.

So how do you wear them without looking like a midlife cougar or a clown?

I have some helpful guidelines on how to wear patterned tights.

1. Let Your Patterned Tights Have Spotlight

Patterned tights will attract attention, no question, so the easiest, most conservative way to wear them is to pair them with an effortless dress or skirt in a solid color, so they are the star. (Creative types may choose to pair patterned tights with a patterned outfit, but this takes more skill to get it right)

It’s also essential to balance the sexiness of the tights with the sexiness of the outfit. That’s why something conservative like a pencil skirt, tunic, or sheath dress looks so classy with patterned tights. You look refined, but the socks give you that little oomph!

Check out Carol Middleton wearing black patterned tights. She looked fab!

2. Choose Dark Neutrals

You can’t go wrong with low-key colored tights in black (which always looks excellent), dark brown, deep navy blue, charcoal gray, or khaki. Wear one tone-on-tone with your outfit for a luxurious, subtle look. A monochromatic outfit will also make your legs look longer, and you appear taller and slimmer.

3. Don’t Fall for Brights

There have been a lot of bright-colored tights, but it’s my feeling that after 40, they look too primary school to be chic. Sure, there’s always the odd dramatic fashionista over 40 who makes it part of her style, but, in general, I’d say stay away. The same with white and flesh-colored patterned tights. They’re pretty blinding and will make your legs look big and chunky.

4. Opt for Opaque Patterned Tights

The more opaque the tight, the quieter and classier the look. The sheerer close, the sexier and more aggressive the look. Especially at work, you want to avoid anything too thin and flimsy.

5. Avoid Shine

Shiny patterned tights look heavy and costume-like. If you’ve been thinking about wearing patterned tights, choose one more on the opaque side with a matte finish to get the look right.

6. Pick a Subtle Pattern

With so much patterned hosiery for women, which patterns are best? Small repeating patterns in a geometric print work well. So do small dots or a tiny floral. The more compact the track, the more discreet and slimming the look. Large, bold patterns are loud and make your legs look heavy.

7. Pinstripes Lengthen

Pinstripes are traditional and will tone things down. They also have the bonus of lengthening your legs because they create a vertical line from top to bottom. Don’t ever buy a patterned hose with horizontal stripes. These are just not flattering on any woman.

8. Wear With Boots

You can wear patterned stockings with shoes or booties. It’s best if they are the same color as your stockings. If you are shy about exposing so many legs, throw on a tall boot. You’ll still see a bit of the house peeking through, which is pretty sexy.

9. Don’t Wear Fishnets to Work

Fishnet stockings are sexy tights. If you want to wear these, Choose black or nude. In most business environments, they would be too suggestive to wear, so reserve them for after hours.

You’ve got the look wrong when patterned tights are a big distraction because they are too sleazy or too kooky. But when they create enough excitement to make someone take a quick second look, you know you’ve got it right. A touch of drama is all you need to spice up your wardrobe and look sexy at 40, 50, and beyond.