What Colour Tights to Wear with Which Dress Shade?

Are you wondering which hue 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’ve come to the right place.

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

Today, I’m sharing my top tips on tights, whether they're plain or 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 are wearing a smart dress with subtle tights, choose slightly sheer black tights instead. Lastly, consider matching the colour of your tights with your hair accessories, handbag, or a lovely jacket.

Would you like to learn more? Keep reading to discover:

• Where tights come from and what has contributed to their popularity,

• How to choose your tights based on the colour of your dress,
• What colour tights to wear with a skirt,
• All our tips for properly coordinating your tights with the rest of your outfit,
• And plenty of ultra-stylish outfit ideas featuring coloured tights!

Why and how has tights become a wardrobe essential?

What woman doesn’t have tights in her wardrobe these days? 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 at Harvard University, discovered nylon fibre. In France, this revolutionary product arrived in the 1950s and quickly became essential. It is significantly cheaper than the silk and cotton stockings that were available before and allows for personalisation of one’s outfit.

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

In the late 1970s, tights underwent a new revolution with the emergence of the grunge trend: this was when fishnet tights made their appearance, influenced by designers such as Vivienne Westwood.

… Who is reinventing themselves!

Today, tights remain an essential part of most wardrobes and styles. Without them, it would be impossible to wear skirts or dresses in winter! In response to criticism regarding their durability, more and more brands are offering sturdier designs and options suitable for all body shapes! There is thus a wide variety of models available, from which you can choose to personalise your outfits. 😉

What colour of 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 on a daily basis. If you're looking for a subtle outfit, you might choose to wear black tights. If your dress is a solid colour, you could definitely consider wearing patterned tights, which will add a touch of sophistication to your look. The possibilities are endless: flowers, polka dots, checks…

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

Are you looking to add a touch of colour and originality to a navy blue dress? If so, you might consider opting for some colourful tights:

• in mustard yellow, which is the complementary colour to navy blue and will pair very well with it,
• in bordeaux red, to remain classic and elegant,
• the colour cognac, if you're wearing shoes or accessories in natural brown leather.

What Tights Should You 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 be completely suitable.

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

What tights to wear with a mustard yellow dress?

Very much in vogue in recent years, mustard yellow is the perfect shade for anyone looking to add some colour to their wardrobe. It's incredibly easy to pair, and it adds a healthy glow to your look every day, all while maintaining a chic appearance.

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 grey tights, which you can pair with black shoes and accessories.

What tights to wear with a little black dress?

Sometimes, simplicity is the epitome of elegance. This is particularly true for black dresses, which are generally complemented beautifully by black tights. One detail to consider is the opacity of your tights: with a black dress, it's best to opt for slightly sheer tights that allow a glimpse of your legs, avoiding a monotone look. You can pair them with colourful shoes to brighten up the outfit.

👉 Fancy adding a splash of colour to your outfit? If so, I suggest trying red tights, which will accentuate 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 is essential 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 colour close to that of the top you will be wearing with it. For instance, if you're wearing a navy top, you might opt for tights in the same shade.

In any case, the best approach is to avoid wearing more than three different shades in the same outfit, as this can create an impression of a mismatched appearance.

Dare to embrace the monochrome style with funky tights!

Do you enjoy wearing dresses with tights and are looking to mix up your usual colour combinations? For a bold and original look that showcases your fashion sense, you could choose tights in the same colour as your dress. You could even pair them with matching shoes: high-heeled pumps or ankle boots would be perfect! If you don’t have this type of footwear, opting for black can also create a lovely contrast. 😉

3 Tips for Choosing the Right Tights

Whatever the shades of the rest of your outfit, choosing your tights can be quite straightforward when you are aware of a few simple rules. I will share these with you in the following paragraphs!

Choose Based on Your Shoes

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

For example, tan tights often tend to tone in with light brown shoes, which can make them appear a bit dull.

Opaque black tights are not ideal for wearing with open-toe shoes or heels of the same colour: reserve them for outfits with boots, or with shoes in a shade that stands out.

Choose the Right Thickness

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

🔸Below 40 denier, tights are considered sheer, and will therefore be slightly transparent. They are a bit less warm and less durable, but allow a hint of your legs to show through, adding a glamorous and sensual touch.

🔸Beyond 40 denier, these are thick and opaque tights. They are durable and perfect if you plan to engage in manual activities. They are also more warm. These tights are ideal for creating a monochrome look!

Create Colourful Reminders with Accessories

If you're wearing tights, especially if they're coloured, it can be a good idea to incorporate a few subtle reminders of their hue into 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 shade for the finishing touch to a very stylish outfit!

How to Wear Smart Attire with Tights?

Do you want to wear a formal dress in winter for a special occasion (wedding, christening) or perhaps for a night out? To maintain the right tone and avoid any fashion faux pas, I recommend opting for sheer tights without patterns. You can also choose stockings, which are both elegant and very sexy. Black is typically the most classic colour, but it is also the most stylish.

I hope this article has provided you with the keys to pairing your tights, whatever the occasion! They are a simple and effective way to add a touch of originality to an outfit, so don’t hesitate to experiment with the colours you love most!

Bohemian Long Dress