What colour tights go with which dress shade?

Wondering what shade of tights to wear with a blue, red, black, or even yellow dress? Looking for some handy tips on how to match your tights?

You're in the right place.

As a fashion enthusiast, I pay close attention to every detail when putting together my outfits. When I'm wearing a dress in winter, I particularly focus on the selection of my tights, ensuring they complement the rest of my look perfectly.

Today, I'm sharing my top tips on tights, whether they're plain or brightly coloured!

When wearing a dress, opt for tights in complementary colours that pair well together, such as grey and mustard yellow, or navy blue and burgundy. If you prefer a classic look or are wearing a formal dress with subtle tights, go for slightly sheer black tights. Lastly, consider matching the colour of your tights with your hair accessories, handbag, or a stylish jacket.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:

• Where leggings come from and what contributed to their popularity,

• How to choose your tights colour based on the colour of your dress,
• What colour tights to wear with a skirt,
• All our tips for matching your tights with the rest of your outfit,
• And loads of super stylish outfit ideas featuring colourful tights!

Why and how have tights become a wardrobe essential?

Which woman doesn't have a pair of tights in her wardrobe these days? Discover their success story in the following lines!

Tights, a revolutionary fashion accessory…

Contrary to what you might think, tights as we know them have only been around since the 1940s! In fact, it wasn't until 1935 that Wallace Carothers, an American researcher at Harvard University, discovered nylon fibre. In Australia, this revolutionary product made its debut in the 1950s and quickly became essential. It is much cheaper than the silk and cotton stockings that were available before, and it allows for personalising your outfit.

In the 1960s, with the rise of mini skirts, a trend emerged: wearing a coloured skirt with matching tights, either plain or patterned! It became a true fashion statement among young women of the time.

In the late 1970s, hosiery experienced a new revolution with the emergence of the grunge trend: this is when fishnet stockings began to appear, influenced by designers like Vivienne Westwood.

… Reinventing Itself!

Nowadays, tights are a must-have in most wardrobes and styles. Without them, wearing skirts or dresses in winter would be a challenge! In response to criticism about their durability, more and more brands are offering sturdier options and styles suited to all body shapes! There is now a wide variety of designs available for you to choose from, allowing you to personalise your outfits. 😉

What colour tights should I wear?

Are you wondering which shades to choose to match your favourite dresses? In the following lines, I’ll share some simple tips to help you create chic and stylish outfits.

What tights to wear with a navy dress?

Navy blue is a classic colour that's very easy to wear every day. If you're after a subtle outfit, you can opt for black tights. If your dress is a solid colour, you can certainly consider wearing patterned stockings, which will add a touch of sophistication to your look. The possibilities are endless: florals, polka dots, check patterns…

👉 If you want to slim your legs, you can choose vertical striped tights, which will beautifully enhance your shape.

Looking to add a splash of colour and originality to a navy dress? In that case, you might want to consider some colourful tights:

• in mustard yellow, which is the complementary colour to dark blue and will pair nicely with it,
• in bordeaux red, to maintain a classic and elegant look,
• in cognac, if you’re wearing natural brown leather shoes or accessories.

What tights to wear with a red dress?

A look created from a red dress is a fashion essential. To enhance it, you can choose dark tights, black or grey. If your dress is burgundy, navy tights will also be a perfect match.

👉 Want to create a unique and original look with a vibrant red dress? Go for turquoise tights and match them with shiny red heels that are the same shade as your dress. This two-tone style is perfect for those who love to experiment with trendy and original outfits!

What tights go with a mustard yellow dress?

Very trendy in recent years, mustard yellow is a perfect shade for those looking to add some colour to their wardrobe. It's incredibly easy to match, and it brings a fresh, vibrant look to your everyday style while still keeping it chic.

With a mustard yellow dress, you can wear navy tights, adding a splash of red to the rest of your outfit to complete the look.

You can also choose to wear dark grey tights, pairing them with black shoes and accessories.

What Tights to Wear with a Black Dress?

Sometimes, simplicity is the most beautiful form of elegance. This is especially true for black dresses, which are generally well complemented by matching tights. One detail to consider is the opacity of your tights: with a black dress, opt for slightly sheer tights that hint at your legs to avoid a flat monochrome look. You can pair them with colourful shoes to liven up the ensemble.

👉 Looking to add a splash of colour to your outfit? If so, I recommend trying some red tights, which will highlight your legs without clashing with the rest of your ensemble!

What colour tights should you wear with a skirt or shorts?

When planning to wear a skirt or shorts, it's important to consider the overall look of your outfit when choosing your tights. To keep it simple, you can select tights that match your skirt, in a shade similar to the top you’ll be wearing with it. For example, if you're wearing a navy top, you might choose tights that are the same hue.

In any case, it's best to avoid wearing more than three different shades in the same outfit to prevent looking mismatched.

Dare to go monochrome with fun tights!

Do you love wearing dresses with tights and want to shake up the usual colour combinations? For a bold and original look that showcases your fashion sense, you might consider pairing tights in the same colour as your dress. You can even match them with shoes in coordinating shades: heeled pumps or ankle boots would be perfect! If you don't have those types of shoes, you can also go for black to create a lovely contrast. 😉

3 Tips for Matching Your Tights Perfectly

No matter the shades of the rest of your outfit, it can be quite straightforward to choose your tights when you know a few simple rules. I'm sharing these tips with you in the following paragraphs!

Choose Based on Your Footwear

When choosing tights to wear with a skirt or dress, it’s essential to consider not only how well they match the colour and style of the outfit but also the shoes. Indeed, depending on whether your shoes are made of natural leather, black leather, or a less conventional colour, some tights will complement your look better than others.

For instance, cognac tights often tend to match tonally with light brown shoes, which can make them appear a bit dull.

Opaque black tights aren't the best choice to wear with open-toed shoes or heels in the same colour: save them for outfits featuring boots or with shoes that provide a contrasting hue.

Choose the Right Thickness

When buying your tights, make sure to check the thickness listed on the label. It's measured in den, or denier, which is an old measurement unit.

🔸 Below 40 denier, tights are considered sheer, making them slightly transparent. They are a bit cooler and less durable, but they give a hint of your legs, adding a touch of glamour and sensuality.

🔸Above 40 deniers, we’re talking about thick, opaque tights. They are durable and ideal for manual activities. Plus, they offer more warmth. These tights are perfect for creating a monochromatic look!

Create Colourful Reminders with Accessories

If you're wearing tights, especially if they're colourful, it's a good idea to create a few subtle reminders of their colour in your outfit. A simple tip is to wear hair clips, a headband, or a scrunchie in the same hue.

👉 Just choose a handbag in the same shade for the perfect finishing touch to a stylish outfit!

How to Wear a Smart Outfit with Tights?

Do you want to wear a dressy dress in winter for a special occasion (wedding, christening) or just to go out? To keep it stylish and avoid any fashion faux pas, I recommend opting for sheer, patternless tights. You can also go for stockings, which are both elegant and quite sexy. Black is usually the most classic colour, and it’s also the chicest.

I hope this article has provided you with the keys to match your tights, no matter the occasion! They are a simple and effective way to add some flair to your outfit, so don’t hesitate to try the colours you love the most!

Bohemian Long Dress