Please help me dress for work.
September 19, 2013 12:07 PM Subscribe
What color tights can I wear with a navy skirt?
I recently bought this suit with both the pants and the skirt. I really like it, but I am trying to figure out if navy is a bad choice. I hope to wear it through the winter, and I find that skirts with tights hold up better as they need less dry cleaning due to salty-snow-slush stains. Bare legs are not an option during the winter, with a commute that comprises some walking and some waiting outside for the bus.
Navy tights? Black tights? Something else?
If it matters, I am in my late 20s, in a formal-ish industry (state government, interacting with hospital and insurance company executives and boards). For important meetings, I would of course have bare legs or nude pantyhose, but I think I can get away with tights most days if I can figure out the color.
I recently bought this suit with both the pants and the skirt. I really like it, but I am trying to figure out if navy is a bad choice. I hope to wear it through the winter, and I find that skirts with tights hold up better as they need less dry cleaning due to salty-snow-slush stains. Bare legs are not an option during the winter, with a commute that comprises some walking and some waiting outside for the bus.
Navy tights? Black tights? Something else?
If it matters, I am in my late 20s, in a formal-ish industry (state government, interacting with hospital and insurance company executives and boards). For important meetings, I would of course have bare legs or nude pantyhose, but I think I can get away with tights most days if I can figure out the color.
I'd think some variation of grey-- charcoal, possibly pearl, depending on what you wear it with. Or black tights with a subtle pattern (herringbone or whatever) that makes them read more "mottled" than BLACK!. Or navy, as long as they're slightly sheer so it doesn't look as though you're wrapped in the same color head-to-toe.
posted by Bardolph at 12:10 PM on September 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Bardolph at 12:10 PM on September 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
Navy is an excellent choice! Easier to wear for many people than black and just unusual enough to stand out without looking weird. I love navy.
I think you could wear wine- colored tights, tights in certain grays and blue tights. If you wear navy tights, make sure the match is either very close or different enough to look intentional. It is my personal heartfelt belief that black and navy go together (at least, rich blue navies - some navies are sort of dry and beige) but not everyone feels this way. I personally would wear black, and in fact, many of my winter clothing plans involve black and navy.
With grey, watch out that it's the right grey - some greys look weird with navy.
Target often has a good selection of tights in these color ways and even some navy and grey patterns, usually. A grey with a semi-argyle in thin white lines would be nice, and they had some of those a couple years ago.
posted by Frowner at 12:12 PM on September 19, 2013
I think you could wear wine- colored tights, tights in certain grays and blue tights. If you wear navy tights, make sure the match is either very close or different enough to look intentional. It is my personal heartfelt belief that black and navy go together (at least, rich blue navies - some navies are sort of dry and beige) but not everyone feels this way. I personally would wear black, and in fact, many of my winter clothing plans involve black and navy.
With grey, watch out that it's the right grey - some greys look weird with navy.
Target often has a good selection of tights in these color ways and even some navy and grey patterns, usually. A grey with a semi-argyle in thin white lines would be nice, and they had some of those a couple years ago.
posted by Frowner at 12:12 PM on September 19, 2013
(Also, although it's not a very conservative look, a navy skirt could also really pop with red or magenta tights, assuming you thought carefully about the top/accessories.)
posted by Bardolph at 12:13 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Bardolph at 12:13 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
what color are your shoes? Black shoes, i would wear very opaque black tights. Navy shoes, i would do a pattern with a little navy in it or a grey or wine solid.
i'm in the camp you can wear black and navy together with the right blouse.
posted by domino at 12:16 PM on September 19, 2013
i'm in the camp you can wear black and navy together with the right blouse.
posted by domino at 12:16 PM on September 19, 2013
My rule of thumb for stockings/tights depends a lot on the shoes. For instance if you're wearing tan spectator pumps, or other light colored shoes, you could do neutral or light colored tights in the same hue as your shoes. For black shoes/boots I would choose black, charcoal grey, or navy tights.
Also, consider the color of your blouse into the mix. If you choose a bright blouse (or a bright scarf as an accessory), then to keep the formal-ish vibe going you'll want to tone down your stockings. Bright colors above or below the belt will still keep you in the formal range, but above and below will tilt you towards trendy. You could also create a bit of drama, but still keep in the formal-zone, by adding a bright bracelet, too.
posted by skye.dancer at 12:19 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Also, consider the color of your blouse into the mix. If you choose a bright blouse (or a bright scarf as an accessory), then to keep the formal-ish vibe going you'll want to tone down your stockings. Bright colors above or below the belt will still keep you in the formal range, but above and below will tilt you towards trendy. You could also create a bit of drama, but still keep in the formal-zone, by adding a bright bracelet, too.
posted by skye.dancer at 12:19 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Gold, dark purple, grey, forest green, really deep rusty orange, dark red.
posted by elizardbits at 12:20 PM on September 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by elizardbits at 12:20 PM on September 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
The right beige can also look nice with navy (and is a little bit "warmer," colorwise, than black or grey).
posted by drlith at 12:20 PM on September 19, 2013
posted by drlith at 12:20 PM on September 19, 2013
Depending on what message you want to send — I wouldn't do black & navy. Some people don't care but there are people who will find it appalling and that's not something I would want at work.
posted by dame at 12:20 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by dame at 12:20 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
I've got these tights from Sockdreams in the "Silver Grey" color and I love them. They're fairly thick and the color strikes the right balance between a really light and really dark grey, AND they come in multiple sizes. Depending on the formality level, I think you could also consider a mustard yellow or olive green tight, especially with the right shoes.
posted by augustimagination at 12:23 PM on September 19, 2013
posted by augustimagination at 12:23 PM on September 19, 2013
I would rock that with a nice charcoal tight, possibly one with a pattern. Ohhh yeah.
Here's a pattern gray.
Solid Heather Gray.
Also, I prefer a grey tight/dress sock with a black shoe more than a black sock/tight with a black shoe. Often the blacks will not match. (I have tattoos that I cover often with dress socks or tights and gray is my go-to.)
posted by Crystalinne at 12:23 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Here's a pattern gray.
Solid Heather Gray.
Also, I prefer a grey tight/dress sock with a black shoe more than a black sock/tight with a black shoe. Often the blacks will not match. (I have tattoos that I cover often with dress socks or tights and gray is my go-to.)
posted by Crystalinne at 12:23 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Do a google image search for 'navy skirt with tights'. There are some cute ideas there.
posted by greta simone at 12:24 PM on September 19, 2013
posted by greta simone at 12:24 PM on September 19, 2013
Some advice for the future. I have a kohl's card only for this reason (I think I might have bought some towels once?) because I am not a fan of their clothing. But a kohl's card gets you 30% off of everything all the time.
Then you wait until summer when tights go on sale. They have a wide selection of textures, colors, patterns, etc. And those babies will be on sale in the summer for $3ish dollars. And then there's that 35% off I mentioned.
I have a giant box of tights that look awesome and because they were so crazy cheap, I don't freak out when I inevitable screw them up.
I can't wait for fall/winter tights wearing season.
posted by atomicstone at 12:30 PM on September 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
Then you wait until summer when tights go on sale. They have a wide selection of textures, colors, patterns, etc. And those babies will be on sale in the summer for $3ish dollars. And then there's that 35% off I mentioned.
I have a giant box of tights that look awesome and because they were so crazy cheap, I don't freak out when I inevitable screw them up.
I can't wait for fall/winter tights wearing season.
posted by atomicstone at 12:30 PM on September 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
Grey, absolutely. Navy I think it hard to match with itself. You can do a number of browns, dark green, dark red, burgundy, even the right dark pinks and purples if you work somewhere that those colours are acceptable.
posted by jeather at 12:34 PM on September 19, 2013
posted by jeather at 12:34 PM on September 19, 2013
I'd go with cranberry red, chocolate brown, or slate/charcoal grey. A very subtly patterned navy/slate blue or opaque black might work, too.
posted by divined by radio at 12:34 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by divined by radio at 12:34 PM on September 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
If you wear your suit with a turtleneck, you can match your tights to that.
I would match the tights to your shoes though. I think black tights with white shoes looks strange. So would burgundy tights with a navy shoe.
Navy tights, navy shoes, nice and professional.
A bit of a pattern would be nice if there's no other adornment in your outfit.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 12:35 PM on September 19, 2013
I would match the tights to your shoes though. I think black tights with white shoes looks strange. So would burgundy tights with a navy shoe.
Navy tights, navy shoes, nice and professional.
A bit of a pattern would be nice if there's no other adornment in your outfit.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 12:35 PM on September 19, 2013
I'd go with gray or navy blue tights, but dropped by as a woman who also works in a conservative professional setting to say that what really works well with a suit like that is boots, and black boots are just fine. I'm partial to ankle boots in navy or black with pants, and knee high boots with skirts. I'd add that boots expand your potential color range for tights -- nude or navy or charcoal stockings would all work well with boots and that suit.
posted by bearwife at 12:53 PM on September 19, 2013
posted by bearwife at 12:53 PM on September 19, 2013
Also argyle tights (or knee socks if so inclined) of pretty much any base color except black or an egregiously non-matchy navy blue.
posted by elizardbits at 1:00 PM on September 19, 2013
posted by elizardbits at 1:00 PM on September 19, 2013
That is a lovely suit - congratulations! I'm certain you look great, whatever you do. But you are asking for guidelines, and here they come.
Nude is the classical and appropriate way to go.
Navy in the exact same color or something that matches very well, and then with brown or navy (again an exact match) shoes. Or shoes that match the top - like a green top and shoes with the navy tights and suit.
Black only if you wear a black top and shoes, but then it can be very stylish, specially if you have statement jewelry for contrast. And actually, the same for every other color: if you choose any other color than nude or navy, the tights must match the top, and your jewelry should accentuate your look. Think of your nails and lips too.
Patterned tights are for those with long and skinny legs. If you have those, go for subtle details, where a detail in the pattern responds to a pattern in your blouse or jewelry. If you could get stripes to match the lining in the blazer it would be very elegant.
I love the combination of black and navy, but in classical terms, it's bad taste. Which mainly means you have to make it clear that it is a deliberate statement you are making when you do it. Look at vintage Yves St Laurent, he really worked with the blue and black in many different tones. He used a lot of metal details to bring out the rich color, depending on your style, that might be an idea?
Even in a conservative environment, you can get away with a lot, if it is obvious that it is a style-statement. I have a friend who is totally wild - in terms of color and pattern - but it there is always a clear concept to her dress.
posted by mumimor at 1:20 PM on September 19, 2013
Nude is the classical and appropriate way to go.
Navy in the exact same color or something that matches very well, and then with brown or navy (again an exact match) shoes. Or shoes that match the top - like a green top and shoes with the navy tights and suit.
Black only if you wear a black top and shoes, but then it can be very stylish, specially if you have statement jewelry for contrast. And actually, the same for every other color: if you choose any other color than nude or navy, the tights must match the top, and your jewelry should accentuate your look. Think of your nails and lips too.
Patterned tights are for those with long and skinny legs. If you have those, go for subtle details, where a detail in the pattern responds to a pattern in your blouse or jewelry. If you could get stripes to match the lining in the blazer it would be very elegant.
I love the combination of black and navy, but in classical terms, it's bad taste. Which mainly means you have to make it clear that it is a deliberate statement you are making when you do it. Look at vintage Yves St Laurent, he really worked with the blue and black in many different tones. He used a lot of metal details to bring out the rich color, depending on your style, that might be an idea?
Even in a conservative environment, you can get away with a lot, if it is obvious that it is a style-statement. I have a friend who is totally wild - in terms of color and pattern - but it there is always a clear concept to her dress.
posted by mumimor at 1:20 PM on September 19, 2013
Ah, the eternal question.
I don't have much going on in my wardrobe except for black, grey, navy and the occasional wild-and-crazy taupe. Here's my play:
If you are dressing up with a high heel, wear sheer black or smoke or grey (match to your shoe).
If you are dressing down, wear black textured opaque or gray opaque (blend with your shoe). If you are trucking around town, wear black opaque and/or textured tights and black booties or knee-high boots.
posted by thinkpiece at 1:20 PM on September 19, 2013
I don't have much going on in my wardrobe except for black, grey, navy and the occasional wild-and-crazy taupe. Here's my play:
If you are dressing up with a high heel, wear sheer black or smoke or grey (match to your shoe).
If you are dressing down, wear black textured opaque or gray opaque (blend with your shoe). If you are trucking around town, wear black opaque and/or textured tights and black booties or knee-high boots.
posted by thinkpiece at 1:20 PM on September 19, 2013
Black tights if you're wearing black shoes and/or a black top. Brown tights if you have shoes, belts, tops that coordinate with brown. Navy or grey both will work. Navy is a neutral, so pick a coordinating neutral.
I don't see any reason why you'd feel the need to wear bare legs for more formal business occasions; bare legs are generally considered more casual. Also, in this day and age - there's nothing about tights that make them inappropriate for work.
posted by Kololo at 2:24 PM on September 19, 2013
I don't see any reason why you'd feel the need to wear bare legs for more formal business occasions; bare legs are generally considered more casual. Also, in this day and age - there's nothing about tights that make them inappropriate for work.
posted by Kololo at 2:24 PM on September 19, 2013
Grey or mustard, depending on shoes.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 3:15 PM on September 19, 2013
posted by bitter-girl.com at 3:15 PM on September 19, 2013
If you wear tights, I'd go with a tweed-y medium gray with most anything. Cream blouse - you could wear cream or beige tights. Brown or burgundy blouse - brown or burgundy tights. Navy tights would be a lot of navy, but sheer navy nylons would be okay. Sheer black, nude, cream, would be my choice most days. I occasionally wear a black skirt & jacket with bright teal tights, so if you wear a navy blouse or tee under the jacket, rock some snazzy colors. Cheers me right up. Get used to what you feel good in, and then expand your colors.
posted by Mom at 5:49 PM on September 19, 2013
posted by Mom at 5:49 PM on September 19, 2013
Subtle black (a small abstract pattern like a herringbone/diamond is good, no dots), with black shoes, or sheer black (but matte, not shiny)
Charcoal grey
Medium greys might work, try them
Navy and black together is chic and not difficult to wear as long as it's the right shade of navy.
I wouldn't do colors, not because they don't match, but they can get a little cutesy and if your work is formal enough that you have to wear a suit it doesn't seem good to add a detail that can make it cutesy esp as a younger woman in meetings with older professional types.
posted by citron at 7:04 PM on September 19, 2013
Charcoal grey
Medium greys might work, try them
Navy and black together is chic and not difficult to wear as long as it's the right shade of navy.
I wouldn't do colors, not because they don't match, but they can get a little cutesy and if your work is formal enough that you have to wear a suit it doesn't seem good to add a detail that can make it cutesy esp as a younger woman in meetings with older professional types.
posted by citron at 7:04 PM on September 19, 2013
Turquoise tights, the color of the shirt pictured with the suit, would really pop in a good way.
posted by limeonaire at 7:23 PM on September 19, 2013
posted by limeonaire at 7:23 PM on September 19, 2013
But a kohl's card gets you 30% off of everything all the time.
Maybe I've been getting ripped off, but I only get 30% off when a Kohl's-card-required coupon comes in the mail. It's a semi-regular thing, and they usually have scratch off coupons at the register during the promotion in case you didn't bring one, but it isn't all the time.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 8:03 PM on September 19, 2013
Maybe I've been getting ripped off, but I only get 30% off when a Kohl's-card-required coupon comes in the mail. It's a semi-regular thing, and they usually have scratch off coupons at the register during the promotion in case you didn't bring one, but it isn't all the time.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 8:03 PM on September 19, 2013
Sorry for not being clear. By "all the time" I meant "frequently" and not "at all times"
posted by atomicstone at 2:40 PM on September 22, 2013
posted by atomicstone at 2:40 PM on September 22, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 12:09 PM on September 19, 2013 [10 favorites]