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Are black tights a no no?

84 replies

SecretRed · 07/12/2014 20:25

I'm going to my works Christmas party next weekend and have bought a black lacy sparkly dress which sits just above the knee. I'm a size 20 with a fine pair of rugby players legs which for obvious reasons would prefer to keep covered. Would I look frumpy in black tights?


If you've found this page in search of tights that have been tried and tested by fellow Mumsnet users, you might find our guide to the best tights useful. Hope this helps! MNHQ

OP posts:
Trills · 07/12/2014 21:33

I don't think sheer black tights are "not allowed", I just find them very unflattering and have not noticed anyone wearing them for a long time.

Angelicabean · 07/12/2014 21:44

I've got a navy blue dress for my Xmas do. I don't really fancy wearing opaques again as I wear them in the day. What would you recommend? Which brands are good for tights? Not sure I could get away with fishnets without looking a bit OTT- I'm mid 40s.

itwillgetbettersoon · 07/12/2014 21:45

Surely opaques look too heavy with a glitzy short party dress? I need to get out more as I've assumed barely black sheer tights are still in!

beeny · 07/12/2014 21:55

I wear 20 dernier black tights for work.

SecretRed · 07/12/2014 22:05

I have black glittery stiletto type shoes. Am worried opaques would look a bit odd. Def not wearing sheer tights. They'd be laddered before 9pm. Most of my colleagues and friends don't wear tights in a night out, they prefer bare legged and fake tan as we wear tights all week for work. Think I may be overthinking this a little Blush

OP posts:
Roussette · 07/12/2014 22:10

I wear sheer black tights lots and so do people I see out! Never knew it was a no no! And wear seamed black sheer stockings with a LBD too. Opaque tights do not look right with a dressy dress.

I wear these

FollowTheStarship · 07/12/2014 22:10

I'm with everyone who says no to sheer, yes to opaque. I also never see sheer black tights on anyone I know.

There's opaque and opaque though - for a party I'd wear quite smooth/fine, maybe velvet-touch opaque, or even slightly glittery. They don't have to be industrial thickness woolly ones. M&S or any supermarket will have a good choice.

FollowTheStarship · 07/12/2014 22:12

Also I wouldn't worry too much as at a christmas party, presumably in the evening, your legs will mostly be well below eye level, under a table, and/or it will be dark-ish so they won't be very noticeable. Opaques will be fine.

Coconutty · 07/12/2014 22:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PrincessOfChina · 07/12/2014 22:17

Sheer black tights are v trendy at the mo with the youngsters I think.

For those of us between the ages of 25 and 65 they're not good. Wear opaques.

Roussette · 07/12/2014 22:17

I must look horrid then!

Why on earth do they make legs look horrid? Genuinely interested...

Surely with a really dressy little black dress you wouldn't wear opaques?

Darquesse · 07/12/2014 22:17

I would wear opaques or patterned. Only worn sheer if they had some kind of pattern on.

Doobigetta · 07/12/2014 22:18

I have to defend the reputation of the North and say neither I nor anyone I know would be seen dead in sheer or barely black tights. Bleugh.

itwillgetbettersoon · 07/12/2014 23:14

Rousette I think those tights look nice. I just can't imagine wearing 70 denier with a LBD. All my younger friends go bare legged but although my legs are fine I'm not happy doing that at my age. Can you get opaques only in black?

zzzzz · 07/12/2014 23:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WilburIsSomePig · 08/12/2014 06:00

I haven't worn sheer rights since about 1999 but they certainly seem to be going through a bit of a renaissance round here with the younger folks. I live in the south too.

Fadingmemory · 08/12/2014 06:16

No, not no no but yes yes! Opaque. Enjoy the party.

VivaLeBeaver · 08/12/2014 06:25

Some of the bright young things were wearing sheer tights at the Xmas do. I wear nude tights rather than opaques with a lbd.

WilburIsSomePig · 08/12/2014 06:29

Me too viva, I wear opaques all the time and feel they may 'de-glamourise' a really nice LBD. :)

sandgrown · 08/12/2014 06:36

I have the same problem but think opaques are too heavy with a LBD and too many shades of black. Bare legs not good when you are older unless they are tanned. What about some sort of fishnet/patterned tights. Not sure what is wrong with sheer tights . I must be old fashioned but I am Northern!

Roussette · 08/12/2014 08:20

That makes two of us sandgrown... old fashioned me.. although reading on here they are making a renaissance with younger ones so I'm right on trend!

I only really wear opaques for more casual wear with flat boots or a casual knitted dress type thing. If I'm really dressing up, I wear sheer tights but they have to be the right ones, no cheap shiny tights.

Eustasiavye · 08/12/2014 08:34

I would try and get something more party than opaques.
The only opaques so that would look good are shiny, not too thick ones. Matt opaque a will kill the look IMO. How about fishnets? Or even fishnets with a faint glitter pattern.

hollyisalovelyname · 08/12/2014 08:43

What about black micronet tights?
Fishnets but classier

PeoniesforMissAnnersley · 08/12/2014 08:49

I wear sheer black tights with a suit to work almost every day. Opaques aren't formal enough. I wear nude tights in summer.

hauntedhenry · 08/12/2014 08:55

OP, I don't think opaques will look nice at all with the shoes you've described, and I would never go bare legged with fake tan in December. You will turn blue! I'd get some fishnets or fine nude tights (not American tan or anything too shiny tho) and you'll look much nicer. It's true that sheer black tights can show up lumps and bumps.

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