Are black opaque nylons really frumpy fashion?

[kranberrie]

I read an article in the Guardian on Saturday that stated that black 40/60D hoisiery is "out" and fancy colours and lacey ones are "in" for the party season. The statement was backed up with statistics of sales growth of colourful nylons and lacey ones with a decline of sales in 40/60D black.
I Google researched more and found that this ditching of classic black extends to the workplace and social settings. Looking around my office and offices of clients I visit, I'm shocked to find that I'm almost the only "frump" in standard class opaque black legs.
I can't bring myself to go jazzy colours or lacey. I had a big clearout of my tights draw about a month ago - ironically in my vast collection I had old red, navy, green (why?) and lacey tights (mostly unworn) - they got chucked. Those still in packets and unworn are now in the local Scope shop - maybe I should buy them back.
I'm extra miffed because the clearout coincided with a £150 spending spree on good quality black opaques.
Maybe I should buy trousers and never wear tights again.
Am I the last living fan of black opaques? - I think they are sexy, stylish, warm and practical.
What next - shoes out and only boots?

Styling opaques 😂 gosh life is too short for that !

I wear black leggings under long skirts/dresses, and then long boots. I want to be warm. I’m at the age that I’m not so bothered if I am frumpy.

Thank you!

Black is the standard. Any thing else is well, looking at your naked legs through a little bit of nylon when its freeeeezin'. Lol. M ans S now do one especially cool in navy and grey and black that have a thermal warm lining. Once worn, never shifted from. With feet or as leggings. I love all the other stuff too especially colours. But English winter, cold and damp? Furry lined thermals in black or navy for me. :)

Me too. :)

I have lots of patterned and colourful dresses and skirts so will be sticking with my opaque black tights. I think if I stuck on something more exotic with my colourful dresses they would definitely trigger migraines.

Yep sorry I am a middle class woman of a certain age too, coloured tights make me look ridiculous. Green makes me look like an Elf or an extra in Robin Hood.

I’ve never seen anybody looking good in green tights.

I bought some dark green and some burgundy tights once on a whim thinking they’d look good with various things ‘for a change’. They don’t, not on me.

Ha ha you're right! It's a pity the op didn't link the article in question (Castle has done if anyone wants to read it) because most of this thread appears to be about something that wasn't actually said.

I hate coloured tights.
I blame snag and that Mary off Gogglebox for this.

Does the Guardian dictate what you wear?

I didn't know they were the new Vogue.

The article isn't even saying black opaques are "frumpy" or unwearable- just that for party wear coloured tights are an option- which they always were. I like and wear coloured tights.

How I hate the word "frumpy" (and its ugly sister "flattering")

Drawer. Tights drawer.

I'm short and dumpy, no one wants to see my pins in patterned or bright tights! I'll continue trying to not draw attention to them with my black opaques!

Any hosiery I have ever owned that aren't black opaques usually last maximum of 2 wears before they get a run or pull in them.

Hosiery is another way of extracting money out of women, so of course they want to get us out of our black opaques.

Yay @namechangealerttt often thought the same myself.

Oh god you have managed to describe exactly the thoughts I've had for 30 years whenever I've tried on a coloured tight and I've been stuck for whom I resemble.

Now I know it's Timothy Claypole and/or Grotbags.

Absolutely Bang on!!

as other posts black opaque tights are classic
you won't look frumpy at all
they outline legs v well
honestly i think some stuff in Guardian is crap and I live in London and prob metro socialist person but they can be so silly

Except the article didn't say what has been invented on this thread.

I've got coloured and lace tights which are years old.

The look du jour amongst the younger women at our Xmas nights out was minidresses with chunky boots and opaque tights. They looked amazing. I'm guessing they don't read the Guardian.

I dabbled in colour tights about ten years ago and there is something very panto about them. Lacy patterned tights are also a bit weird. The Guardian's fashion people and possibly all fashion people do impractical stuff like bare legs in the winter (freezing) or those creepy lacy ankle socks which must be really sweaty and like wrapping your feet in net curtains.

Black opaque all the way.

I'll hold my hands up and say black opaques + midi or knee length dress = frumpy to me. Don't shoot me.

Opaques with a short/mini and docs or chunky boots is cool though.

I have my friend's big Christmas day out on Saturday and I'm planning a white sequined dress (baggy, to hide three course lunch), bare legs and docs. I'm going to be freezing (until I get my booze jacket on) but...I'm a slave to the style gods and I think black tights will ruin the look \(ツ)/¯

The look du jour amongst the younger women at our Xmas nights out was minidresses with chunky boots and opaque tights. They looked amazing. I'm guessing they don't read the Guardian

I suspect most of the women defending opaques on this thread aren't wearing them with a minidress and chunky boots- that's definitely in fashion.

It's not the item that makes the look frumpy, it's how you style it.

I've gone back into minis, more like mid-thigh, above knee, not truly micro mini and I'm liking the look with an oversized jacket, opaques, and long boots.