Sheer tights in summer?

[GraceMarks]

I want to wear some nice summer dresses and skirts that are around at the moment, but I can't stand the idea of going bare-legged. My legs are just too fat, too pale, too prone to chafing - so usually I'm in trousers until the temperature drops again. I was thinking that one solution might be to wear really sheer flesh-toned tights but I've been hesitating because... well, they're sheer flesh-toned tights, aren't they? Are they ever acceptable legwear really?

What do people think - would this be an ok thing to do, or do I just have to embrace the trouser for the next few months?

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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

When I was in a professional role, back in the day (early 90s), I would never have gone bare legged. It was very much frowned upon and I can distinctly recall a very senior (female) member of staff saying 'bare legs are fine if you want to remain in the typing pool'. Thank god such bollocks isn't trotted out these days, but I do think tights give a more put together look.

For work purposes, I'm quite happy wearing sheer tights, nude micronets (I love these), and even nude support tights (marvellous if you spend all day on your feet). I wouldn't normally wear them outside of formal work settings, but mostly as I am far too clumsy to be let loose near thin tights
The Sally Hansen airbrush legs works brilliantly to add colour when I want it and blur out bruises, but washes off before swimming and no weird orangeyness.

M&S autograph sheer nude tights all the way. I don’t find them sweaty; and they are the best colour match I’ve found for non Caucasian skin tones. They have open toe ones as well for the poster above wanting to wear sandals

Pants haha, not the typing pool. I understand from reading certain fashion magazines that going out with blotchy, unevenly-toned "corned beef" legs is terribly common, as is streaky orange fake tan. It's very old fashioned but I suspect there are still people out there who think that way. I certainly feel as I get older that things like slips and high-waisted underpants are becoming more necessary in order to look "put together".

Pants haha, not the typing pool.

I know, kind of showing my age there! The woman in question was well known for a spectacular put down, all while smiling sweetly. I remember attending a meeting with another company where one of their staff was a mysoginist twat. He clearly didn't know who she was and as he entered the room he approached her and barked 'Coffee would be good'. She didn't miss a beat and said 'thank you, black, two sugars' and went to sit at the head of the table. She could be a right dragon but god she was awesome sometimes. Sorry, I digress ...

I'm confused about why flesh coloured tights might look bad to be honest. I wear them for work, they don't make me sweat unless the weather is freakishly hot. Normal summer weather is fine, they barely do anything to keep me warm. Just buy a shade darker than your natural leg colour and they should look natural. The only minus point is they are so easy to break. Mine might last 1 or 2 wears before i ladder them. I do tend to buy cheap ones though...

Red magazine is giving away This Works leg primer this month (the Lauren Laverne cover). I tried it and was pleasantly surprised. Works a treat on milk bottle legs like mine.

Flesh coloured fishnets are a good compromise.