Generally if the entire outfit is black then black tights are fine, but if not then flesh-toned is preferred. The point is usually that we don't want our tights to be the first thing to draw the eye.
In the UK, a lot of women have been wearing black tights/leggings etc. with denim skirts for the last year or two. And by what I've seen so far (everyone put on their boots and tights last week as the weather turned colder) this winter will be mostly black hosiery for everyday wear.
Personally I think it goes with most things - either with a contrasting skirt (such as light blue denim) - or with a matching (black) skirt. In fact I learned something in the supermarket today. I saw two women - seperately - who were both wearing black tights or leggings with black skirts. They both looked great, but one had about 50 denier black tights on with a slight sheen - while the other was completely opaque and matt. Both were different - both were great.
Anyhow, I digress. What I meant to say was that in the UK, black tights/leggings are very much the norm at the moment.
I agree that with those boots and a nice fingertip length skirt, those tights will be fantastic. They will draw the eye to your legs, and be a real feature. The thing is, you have to be BALANCED. That means, with that much pattern on your legs you have to be careful what you wear for a top. Pick a solid shirt that pulls one of the colors from the tights and wear that tucked in. You're going for sexy, right? Be bold enough to draw the eye upwards as well. Show off those broad shoulders by wearing a nice yoked shirt in a sensual rayon or silk. Layer it all up with that duster jacket I've heard rumors of and you'll be the talk of the town!
Very good - practical - fashion advice EmeraldWitch - so thank you very much for that. It is mostly obvious when I read it, of course, but I need to have those simple tips hammered into my skull.
* I will wear those patterned tights with a plain dark shirt. (I always wear shirts tucked in - who doesn't?). But I don't own a shirt to match those tights. This is a perennial problem with me - matching stuff up to create a co-ordinated look. I own black shirts, white shirts, yellow shirts, orange shirts, blue shirts etc. - but nothing that will blend with those tights. I may have to buy something new . . . .
(wallet runs out of the room - screaming . . )
* I am not just going for sexy. I am going for . . sensational!
* I haven't got broad shoulders. Quite the opposite - as I am very slim.
* I don't own any rayon or silk shirts. Everything is cotton. I love cotton.
* I can't afford a Duster jacket. I am thinking of trying a long cloak instead. That would be cheaper and could still look good with a short skirt. I will see what I can find on eBay. Otherwise, all I have is a normal length, boring raincoat.
I've got some good white tights as well that I haven't worn yet. They are thick ribbed woollen winter ones. I thought white would look good with brown boots, brown skirt and white shirt - but I will have to try it on and see what it looks like.
