What Colour Tights to Wear with Which Dress Shade?

Are you wondering what colour 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 attention to every detail when putting together my outfits. When wearing a dress in winter, I make a special effort to choose my tights carefully, so that they enhance the rest of my look.

Today, I’m sharing with you my top tips on tights, whether they’re basic or really colourful!

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 hair accessories, a handbag, or a lovely 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,
• Which tights colour to wear with a skirt,
• All our tips on matching your tights with the rest of your outfit,
• And loads of ultra-stylish outfit ideas featuring colourful tights!

Why and how have tights become a must-have in our wardrobes?

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

Stockings: A Revolutionary Fashion Accessory...

Contrary to what one might think, tights as we know them only came into existence in the 1940s! It wasn't until 1935 that Wallace Carothers, an American researcher from Harvard University, discovered nylon fibre. In South Africa, this revolutionary product made its debut in the 1950s and quickly became a must-have. It's significantly cheaper than the silk and cotton stockings that were available before and allows for greater personalisation of outfits.

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

In the late 1970s, tights underwent a new revolution with the rise of the grunge trend: this was when fishnet tights came onto the scene, influenced by designers like Vivienne Westwood.

… Who is reinventing themselves!

Today, tights remain a staple in most wardrobes and styles. Without them, it wouldn't be possible to wear skirts or dresses in winter! In response to criticism about their fragility, more and more brands are offering more durable options and styles suitable for all body types! There's now a wide variety of styles available, giving you plenty of choices to personalise your outfits. 😉

Which colour of tights should I wear?

Wondering which shade to choose to match your favourite dresses? In the following paragraphs, I’ll share a few simple tips to help you create chic and stylish outfits.

What tights to wear with a navy blue dress?

Navy blue is a classic colour that is 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 might consider wearing patterned stockings, which will add a touch of sophistication to your look. The options are endless: florals, polka dots, checks…

👉 If you want to tone your legs, you might consider choosing tights with vertical stripes, which will beautifully enhance their shape.

Want to add a splash of colour and uniqueness to a navy blue dress? In that case, you can opt for some coloured tights:

• in mustard yellow, which is the complementary colour to dark blue and pairs beautifully with it,
• in bordeaux red, to keep things classic and elegant,
• in 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 must-have in fashion. To accentuate it, you can choose dark tights, black or grey. If your dress is burgundy, navy blue tights will also work perfectly.

👉 Want to create a unique and original look with a bright red dress? Choose turquoise blue tights and pair them with shiny heels in the same red as your dress. This two-tone style is perfect for those who love to experiment with original and trendy outfits!

What tights to wear 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 very easy to pair with other clothes, and it brightens up your look every day while still staying stylish.

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, which you can pair with black shoes and accessories.

What tights to wear with a black dress?

Sometimes, simplicity is the ultimate form of elegance. This is particularly true for black dresses, which are usually beautifully complemented by black tights. One important detail to consider is the sheerness of your tights: with a black dress, it's best to choose slightly sheer tights that hint at your legs, to avoid a monochromatic effect. You can pair them with colourful shoes to add a bit of vibrancy to your look.

👉 Want to add a splash of colour to your outfit? In that case, I suggest you try 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 tights. To keep it simple, you can select tights that match your skirt, in a shade that is close to the top you will be wearing with it. For example, if you’re wearing a navy blue top, you might go for tights that are the same shade.

In any case, it's best to not wear more than three different colours in the same outfit, to avoid the impression of a mismatched outfit.

Dare to wear a monochrome style with fancy tights!

Do you love wearing dresses with tights and fancy switching up those classic colour pairings? For a bold and unique look that showcases your fashion sense, you could go for tights that match the colour of your dress. You can even pair them with shoes in the same tones: heels or ankle boots would be perfect! If you don’t have those types of shoes, choosing black would also work well to create a lovely contrast. 😉

3 Tips for Matching Your Tights

No matter the colours of the rest of your outfit, it can be quite easy to choose your tights when you know a few simple rules. I'll share these with you in the following paragraphs!

Select Based on Your Shoes

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

For instance, cognac tights often tend to match tonally with light brown shoes, making them look somewhat dull.

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

Choose the Right Thickness

When buying your tights, be sure to check the thickness indicated on the label. It's shown in 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 cooler and less durable, but allow a hint of your legs to show, which adds a glamorous and sensual touch.

🔸Beyond 40 denier, we’re talking about thick, opaque tights. They are durable and perfect if you plan to engage in hands-on activities. They also provide more warmth. These tights are ideal for creating a monochrome look!

Create Colourful Reminders with Accessories

If you’re wearing tights, especially if they’re colourful, it’s a good idea to add some subtle touches of their colour to your outfit. A simple tip is to wear some hair clips, a headband, or a scrunchie in the same shade.

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

How to Style an Outift with Tights?

Do you want to wear a formal dress in winter for a special occasion (wedding, baptism) or for a night out? To stay stylish and avoid any fashion faux pas, I recommend opting for sheer tights without patterns. You could also consider stockings, which are both elegant and quite sexy. Black is typically the classic colour, and it’s also the most chic.

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

Bohemian Long Dress