Workdays are stressful enough with all the tasks that need to be done and deadlines that have to be met. Fortunately, stepping up your fashion game for the office is one way of making things feel less drab and boring, and tights are a fantastic garment for this purpose. If you’re not used to wearing tights that often, fear not. To help you out, here’s a quick guide on how to correctly wear this fashion staple to work:
Do: Start with the Basics
Having a variety of tried-and-true options is crucial to any working woman’s wardrobe. That said, it’s a good idea to buy tights that come in classic colors, styles, and designs.
For instance, you can never go wrong with investing in a good pair of plain nude tights. These types of tights are usually matte and sheer, and are best worn with outfits that show off your legs. They’re often meant to create the illusion that you aren’t wearing any tights at all, so make sure that you pick pairs that match well with your skin tone.
Meanwhile, a pair of black tights will go well with dark clothing and help to create a more flattering silhouette. Indeed, wearing black tights can help you achieve a slimmer profile and figure.
Don’t: Go to the Extreme
After starting with the basics, you can start to experiment with other colors, styles, and designs. However, remember to keep your look professional since you’ll still be working in a corporate environment. For example, a big no-no is wearing fishnet tights, as these are too risqué for the office.
To stay on the safe side, you can go with tights that come in neutral colors such as gray and navy, which you can wear in place of solid black tights. You can also try out colored tights with subtle patterns such as small dots, diamonds, or chevrons. Just remember to keep it classy and reserve the more colorful and daring designs for a weekend out with friends or family.
Do: Pair Tights with the Right Pair of Shoes
Not only should you match your tights with your outfit in terms of fabric and color, but you should also wear an appropriate pair of shoes. Usually, nude tights are best paired with closed high heels. You wouldn’t want the end of your tights peeking out of open-toed shoes, as this is considered inappropriate and tacky. If you need to wear sandals or open-toed shoes, there are toeless tights that are designed specifically for this purpose. Opaque tights, on the other hand, are best worn with chunky heels or boots. They make for a great fall or winter office ensemble and they allow you to still wear cute skirts while being able to keep warm.
Don’t: Scrimp on Cost
Because there are so many different brands of tights available on the market, you may be tempted to save some money and pick the cheapest ones you can find. As with other types of clothing, though, inexpensive tights may not be made of high-quality materials and are more prone to wear and tear. This could prove to be embarrassing in the office, as you might find yourself walking around with tears or holes in your tights without realizing it. To make matters worse, you also won’t get much mileage out of them, and you’ll end up spending more on frequent replacements.
That’s why it’s definitely worth investing in high-quality tights from the get-go. It may cost you a bit more in the beginning, but you’ll be able to use them for a longer period.
Do: Know How to Take Care of Your Tights
Tights are made of stretchy material that may snag on surfaces or even on your nails. As such, you’ll want to be a bit more careful moving around while wearing them.
If your tights do get damaged while you’re at the office, fret not. To quickly fix a small run on your tights, apply a touch of clear nail polish to them. This will prevent the tear or hole from getting any worse. Some ladies also swear by spritzing some hair spray over their tights before wearing them. They claim that this helps to reduce any nasty static that can cause your tights to stick to your skirt.
Finally, don’t just throw your tights into the wash. Instead, always read the care label and launder them accordingly. In most cases, experts recommend hand-washing tights. If you’re cleaning them using a washing machine, it’s best to use the gentlest setting available.
Corporate attire need not be boring. To jazz your outfit up, wearing tights can help you show off your personal style while you’re at the office. They are an integral part of any woman’s wardrobe, especially for those who love power dressing. All it takes is a bit of creativity and imagination, and you will soon find yourself an expert at coming up with the most impressive outfits in the office.