What colour tights to wear with which dress shade?

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

You've come to the right place.

As a fashion enthusiast, I don’t overlook any details when putting together my outfits. When I wear a dress in winter, I pay special attention to the choice of my tights, ensuring they enhance the rest of what I'm wearing.

Today, I'm sharing my top tips on leggings, whether they're basic or incredibly vibrant!

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 want to wear a formal dress with subtle tights, go for slightly sheer black tights. Lastly, consider matching the colour of your tights with your accessories, such as your hair accessories, handbag, or a nice jacket.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out:

• Where tights come from and what has 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 plenty of stylish outfit ideas featuring colourful tights!

Why and how have leggings become a wardrobe essential?

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

Hosiery: A Revolutionary Fashion Accessory…

Contrary to popular belief, 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 from Harvard University, discovered nylon fibre. In New Zealand, this revolutionary product made its debut in the 1950s and quickly became essential. It's much more affordable than the silk and cotton stockings that were available before, and it allows for a more customised outfit.

In the 1960s, with the rise of short skirts, a new trend emerged: wearing a brightly coloured skirt with matching tights, either plain or patterned! This became a true fashion accessory for the young women of the time.

In the late 1970s, tights experienced a new revolution with the emergence of the grunge trend: alongside the influence of designers like Vivienne Westwood, fishnet tights were introduced.

… Reinventing Itself!

Today, tights are an essential part of 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 and styles suitable for all body types! There is a wide variety of designs available, so you can choose the perfect pair to personalise your outfits. 😉

What colour of tights should I wear?

Are you wondering which shade to choose to match your favourite dresses? In the following lines, I’ll share some simple tips on how to 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 looking for a discreet outfit, you can opt for black tights. If your dress is solid-coloured, you might consider wearing patterned tights, which will add a touch of sophistication to your outfit. The possibilities are endless: florals, polka dots, checks…

👉 If you're looking to slim down your legs, you might want to choose tights with vertical stripes, as they beautifully shape your legs.

Are you looking to add a splash of colour and a bit of flair to a navy blue dress? In that case, you could opt for some colourful tights:

• in mustard yellow, which complements dark blue and pairs beautifully with it,
• in burgundy red, for a classic and elegant look,
• the colour cognac, if you’re wearing natural brown leather shoes or accessories.

What Tights to Wear with a Red Dress?

A look created with a red dress is a fashion essential. To enhance it, you can choose dark tights, black or grey. If your dress is burgundy, navy blue tights will also work very well.

👉 Looking to create a unique and original look with a bright red dress? Go for some turquoise blue tights and pair them with shiny red heels that match your dress. This two-tone style is perfect for anyone who loves to experiment with trendy and original outfits!

What tights to wear with a mustard yellow dress?

Very trendy in recent years, mustard yellow is the perfect shade for those looking to add some colour to their wardrobe. It's incredibly easy to pair with other colours, and it gives a great boost to your appearance daily while still looking classy.

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

You can also choose to wear dark grey tights, which you can pair with black shoes and accessories.

What tights to wear with a black dress?

Sometimes, simplicity is the most exquisite form of elegance. This is particularly true for black dresses, which are often beautifully complemented by black tights. An important 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 monotonous look. You can pair them with colourful shoes to brighten up the ensemble.

👉 Want to add a splash of colour to your outfit? If so, I suggest trying red tights, which will enhance your legs without clashing with the rest of your look!

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

When planning to wear a skirt or shorts, it's important to consider how your entire outfit will look when choosing your tights. To keep it simple, you can choose tights that match your skirt, in a shade that is close to that of the top you’ll be wearing with it. For example, if you're wearing a navy top, you could go for tights that are the same colour.

In any case, it’s best to not wear more than three different shades within the same outfit, to avoid creating a mismatched look.

Dare to go monochrome with fancy tights!

Do you love wearing dresses with tights and want to switch things up from the usual colour combinations? For a bold and unique look that showcases your fashion sense, consider pairing tights in the same colour as your dress. You can even match them with shoes in similar shades: high heels or ankle boots will work perfectly! If you don’t have those types of shoes, going for black is a great alternative to create a lovely contrast. 😉

3 Tips for Matching Your Tights

Whatever the colours of the rest of your outfit, it can be quite simple to choose your tights when you know a few basic rules. I'll share these 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 just how they match the colour and style of the outfit, but also your shoes. Indeed, depending on whether your shoes are made of natural leather, black leather, or a less conventional colour, certain tights will complement your look better than others.

For example, cognac tights often tend to match tonally with light brown shoes, making them look a bit dull.

Opaque black tights aren't the best choice to wear with open-toed shoes or heels of the same colour: save them for outfits paired with boots, or with shoes that have a contrasting shade.

Choose the Right Thickness

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

🔸 Below 40 denier, tights are regarded as sheer, and will therefore be slightly transparent. They are a bit cooler and less durable, but allow a glimpse of your legs, adding a touch of glamour and sensuality.

🔸Above 40 deniers, these are thick and opaque tights. They are durable and are perfect if you're using them for craft activities. They also offer warmth. These tights are well-suited for creating a monochromatic look!

Create Colour Reminders with Accessories

If you're wearing tights, especially coloured ones, it can be a good idea to create some subtle reminders of their shade in your outfit. A simple trick is to wear some hair clips, a headband, or a scrunchie in the same colour.

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

How to Wear a Dressy Outfit with Tights?

Do you want to wear a formal dress in winter for a special occasion (wedding, christening) or for a night out? To keep it stylish and avoid any fashion faux pas, I recommend opting for sheer, plain tights. You could also choose stockings, which are both elegant and quite sexy. Black is usually the classic colour, and it's also the most chic.

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 a touch of uniqueness to your outfit, so don’t hesitate to try out the colours you love the most!

Bohème Long Dress