What Color of Tights Goes Best with Which Shade of Dress?

Are you wondering which shade of tights to wear with a blue, red, black, or even yellow dress? Are you looking for practical tips on how to match your tights?

You’re in the right place.

As a fashion enthusiast, I pay attention to every detail when putting together my outfits. When I wear a dress in the winter, I give special consideration to my choice of tights, ensuring they enhance the overall look of my ensemble.

Today, I’m sharing my best tips about tights, whether they are basic or colorful!

When wearing a dress, opt for tights in complementary colors that pair well together, such as gray and mustard yellow, or navy blue and burgundy. If you prefer a classic look or want to wear a dressy outfit with subtle tights, go for slightly sheer black tights. Lastly, consider matching the color of your tights with accessories like hair pieces, handbags, or a stylish jacket.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:

  • Where tights come from and what made them popular,
  • How to choose the color of your tights based on the color of your dress,
  • What color tights to wear with a skirt,
  • All our tips for properly matching your tights with the rest of your outfit,
  • And plenty of super stylish outfit ideas featuring colorful tights!

women's tightswomen's tights

Why and How Did Tights Become a Must-Have in Our Wardrobes?

Which woman doesn’t have tights in her wardrobe today? Discover their success story in the following lines!

Tights: A Revolutionary Fashion Accessory…

Contrary to what one might think, tights as we know them have only existed since the 1940s! In fact, it wasn’t until 1935 that Wallace Carothers, an American researcher from Harvard University, discovered nylon fiber. In France, this revolutionary product made its debut in the 1950s and quickly became essential. It is significantly more affordable than the silk and cotton stockings that were available before, and it allows for greater personalization of outfits.

In the 1960s, with the rise of short skirts, a trend emerged: wearing a colorful skirt with matching tights, whether solid or patterned! It became a true fashion accessory for the young women of that era.

At the end of the 1970s, tights experienced a new revolution with the emergence of the grunge trend: influenced by designers like Vivienne Westwood, fishnet tights made their debut.

… Who is reinventing themselves!

Today, tights remain a staple in most wardrobes and styles. Without them, wearing skirts or dresses in winter would be impossible! In response to criticisms about their fragility, more and more brands are offering more durable options that are suitable for all body types! There’s a wide variety of styles available, allowing you to choose the perfect pair to personalize your outfits. 😉

women's winter tightswomen's winter tights

What color of tights should I wear?

Are you wondering what shade to choose to match your favorite dresses? In the following lines, I will share some simple tips on how to create chic and stylish outfits.

What tights to wear with a navy blue dress?

Navy blue is a classic color that’s very easy to wear every day. If you’re looking for a subtle outfit, you can choose black tights. If your dress is solid, you can definitely consider wearing patterned stockings, which will add a touch of sophistication to your look. The possibilities are endless: flowers, polka dots, plaid…

👉 If you want to tone your legs, consider choosing leggings with vertical stripes, which will nicely shape them.

Are you looking to add a splash of color and originality to a navy blue dress? If so, consider opting for colorful tights:

  • in mustard yellow, which is the complementary color to navy blue and pairs nicely with it,
  • in burgundy red, to maintain a classic and elegant look,
  • in cognac color, if you’re wearing natural brown leather shoes or accessories.

navy blue dress tightsnavy blue dress tights

What Tights to Wear with a Red Dress?

A look created with a red dress is a fashion must-have. To enhance it, you can choose dark tights, black or gray. If your dress is burgundy, navy blue tights will also be very suitable.

👉 Want to create a unique and original look with a bright red dress? Go for turquoise tights and pair them with patent red heels that match your dress. This two-tone style will be perfect for those who love to try out original and trendy outfits!

What Tights Go Well with a Mustard Yellow Dress?

Very trendy in recent years, mustard yellow is a perfect shade for those looking to add some color to their wardrobe. It’s easy to match with other pieces, and it gives a fresh and vibrant look every day while still staying stylish.

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

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

colorful women's tightscolorful women's tights

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 often enhanced by matching black 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 completely matching look. You can pair them with colorful shoes to add some brightness to your outfit.

👉 Want to add some color to your outfit? If so, I suggest trying out red tights, which will highlight your legs without clashing with the rest of your look!

What color 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 tights. To keep it simple, you can choose tights that match your skirt, in a shade that is similar to the top you’ll be wearing with it. For example, if you’re wearing a navy blue top, you can go for tights that are the same shade.

In any case, it’s best to not wear more than three different colors in the same outfit to avoid the look of being mismatched.

skirt with tightsskirt with tights

Dare to Go Monochrome with Fun Tights!

Do you love wearing dresses with tights and want to switch up your classic color combinations a bit? For a bold and original look that showcases your fashion sense, you can choose tights that match the color of your dress. You can even pair them with shoes in the same shades: heels or ankle boots would be perfect! If you don’t have shoes in those colors, you can also go for black to create a nice contrast. 😉

3 Tips for Matching Your Tights

No matter the colors of the rest of your outfit, choosing the right tights can be very easy when you know a few simple rules. I’ll share them with you in the following paragraphs!

Choose Based on Your Shoes

When choosing tights to wear with a skirt or dress, it’s essential to consider not only matching them to the color and style of the garment but also to your shoes. Depending on whether your shoes are made of genuine leather, black leather, or a less conventional color, certain tights will complement them better than others.

For example, cognac tights often tend to match tone-on-tone with light brown shoes, which can make them look a bit dull.

Opaque black tights are not ideal to wear with open-toe shoes or pumps of the same color: save them for outfits with boots or with shoes that have a contrasting color.

women's fancy tightswomen's fancy tights

Choose the Right Thickness

When buying your tights, make sure to check the thickness on the label. It is indicated with the unit of measurement: den, or denier, which is an old unit of measurement.

🔸 Below 40 denier, tights are considered thin, and as a result, they will be slightly transparent. They are a bit less warm and less durable, but they allow glimpses of your legs, adding a glamorous and sensual touch.

🔸Above 40 deniers, these are thick, opaque tights. They are durable and are perfect if you’re using them for hands-on activities. They are also more warm. These tights are great for creating a monochromatic look!

Create Colorful Reminders with Accessories

If you wear tights, especially if they’re colorful, it can be a good idea to create some subtle reminders of their shade in your outfit. A simple tip is to wear hair clips, a headband, or a scrunchie in the same color.

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

woman in tights and short dresswoman in tights and short dress

How to Wear Dressy Outfits with Tights?

Do you want to wear a formal dress in the winter, for a special occasion (like a wedding or a baptism) or just to go out? To stay stylish and avoid any fashion blunders, I recommend opting for sheer, unpatterned tights. You can also choose stockings, which are both elegant and very sexy. Black is usually the most classic color, but it’s also the chicest.

evening dress tights for weddingsevening dress tights for weddings

I hope this article has given you the keys to match your tights, no matter the occasion! They are a simple and effective way to add originality to an outfit, so don’t hesitate to try the colors you love most!

looking for unique dresses and skirtsour online shop
Need inspiration? Find out which color tights go best with your dress. View Our Dress Ideas