Ask anyone: black opaque tights in a fashion forward way?

Polly (thunalata)

Angie mentioned this in this thread:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-red-shoes

Can anyone point me towards fashion forward outfits with black opaques or explain how not to look dated with opaques? I was interested to find a 'rule' or set of guidelines and googled 'Vera Wang black opaque tights outfit' and got nowhere!

12 years ago

General

21 replies

Latest reply was from Carole

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Like this one?
http://irwan.net/wp-content/up.....a-wang.jpg

12 years ago

lynn

Veteran

I don't have the answer but I went back and read Angie's reply in the post you linked. I would like to know what a Vera Wang way would look like too. Angie, are you there?

12 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Ah, I start to get it. How could I not find this sort of picture myself?! Thanks...

12 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Jonesy and Jean (Greenglove) ROCK their opaque tights like nobody's business - perhaps they can weigh in with tips. Often it seems that they're pairing them with boots and skirts or dresses.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I was really curious about this, too, so I am glad you raised it. I find patterned or very sheer tights tough to wear for a couple of reasons. First because often the patterns just don't do much for my short and not exactly skinny legs, and second, because the sheer ones do not offer any warmth! So I was trembling in fear lest I soon prove myself unfit for fashion fabulousness! When meanwhile, I'd thought I looked quite okay in my opaque tights and boots!

12 years ago

Patty

Veteran

Is beatnik style outdated??

12 years ago

Sona

Veteran

here is another pic from a vera wang runway show

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12 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Hey all - it's me - the one who originally asked the question about red shoes and tights! I too am curious as to what a Vera Wang opaque tights look is all about. Like Suz, sheer tights just don't cut it in our Canadian winter environment - maybe it's because I asked about them paired with red shoes as opposed to boots??? I'll be curious to see what Angie has to say.

12 years ago

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Had to weigh in on this one- Black tights are one of my favorite things to wear in the winter. I love them with both black and colored footwear. They need to be really opaque- semi opaque just does not make a statement. They are like black matte paint. I think that they are also similar to leggings but more graceful and go all the way to the foot.

They work well with above the knee simple solid color dresses and skirts with mid calf boots. There needs to be an edge to the look or a contrasting feminine element but not too sheer or delicate. Think bold , simple clothing. All black works really well with one color in an accessory. Also mixed textures. I do not like the tights to have a sheen but it is great when other elements do in the outfit. They just need to be considered as a bold statement and not an afterthought which is what I think Angie objects to. They are dramatic and heavy, therefore other parts of the look need to be balanced accordingly. Hope that makes sense.

Vera Wang is a perfect example of wearing them well- look at how they work with her long, straight hair- echoes her long black legs. It is not a look for the timid, I think it needs a bit of theatre.

12 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Jean, so glad you chimed in! You explain it very well and articulate some of the feelings I've had about when and when not to wear them. Really clear, useful information there, thanks!

Thanks to Sona for the other pic and to T Shannon and Suz , Sarah and Lynn for chiming in. Patty, I'm not sure I know what beatnik is in fashion terms. Can you say more?

Suz have you tried layering sheer hose under the patterned hose for warmth? I've not done it yet but others swear by it...

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Can you believe that Vera Wang is 63? WOW. Definitely one of my style icons. Great visuals.

Darling, Canadians, I get cold weather! NYC in Feb is bitter and well below freezing, and we go every year - and walk outside covering hundreds of blocks day in day out. Layer your tights, ladies. Layer them with style.

*Exactly*, Jean - thanks for chiming in. That is an excellent way of putting it. To my eye, black opaques need to be worn as a statement and NOT an after thought. More than any other Winter item, black opaques can look dowdy, dead and stale. You must wear them with conviction.

Black opaques need to be bookended. If you have fair skin and fair hair, be very careful with black opaque tights. They are more easily bookended when you have dark brown and black hair.

Hugs to Jean for explaining what's in my head so perfectly

12 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Jean, that was such a great explanation! It makes SO much sense. I also really love opaque black tights, and I will certainly be keeping your explanation in my head from now on; I think I was mostly doing what you said, but it was muddled and probably not on purpose. It will be from now on

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Jean - an excellent explanation. And thanks also Angie for the reminder about bookending. I think I unconsciously tried to do this (perhaps not always successfully) by having a dark element up top as well. I guess we'll see this winter!

As for layering tights...okay...if you say so, I will try it...but oh boy. I have a sneaking fear that it will feel like wearing the dreaded leotards. I hate wearing tights to begin with....but perhaps it is also a question of finding a brand that fits great and feels good.

12 years ago

Patty

Veteran

(Sorry to highjack for a sec--but Suz makes me need to know if leotards and tights are the same thing? Is leotard Canadian for tights?)

I think Jean pretty much summed up my simple thought of Beatnik--a bold statement leg treatment--with or without the bookend beret and snapping fingers.

12 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

It all starts to make sense! Thanks everyone, what a helpful thread.

Patty, a leotard in the UK is what gymnasts and ballet dancers wear, like an all in one swimming costume. I think Suz may be talking about the feeling you get when you wear one of those over tights?

So, speaking personally, this autumn/winter I am going to try to think about the effect I want first, and then think about how to achieve that (layering tights - I've never tried it either, Suz, although I've thought about it; or opaques). What fun!

ETA thanks Patty for clarifying about beatnik style.

12 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

Great question and responses, thanks for asking!

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thunaluta's right about a leotard, but in Canada during my childhood, little girls' tights were also called leotards. They were stretchy but easily stretched out, they always fell down (and had to be tugged up) and you often had to layer them under snow pants (along with your dress or skirt, which would get horribly bunched up). But they were a necessity if you were wearing a dress in the winter. And sometimes you had to layer two pairs (even with snow pants) to remain warm. Wearing leotards, I ALWAYS felt fat and frumpy—and I was a petite, delicate child and normal sized teen. Those leotards spawned a hatred of pantyhose and tights in many women!

The idea of layering my tights makes me think of those days. Clearly I am buying tights of inferior quality. I will eagerly await Angie's brand recommendations!

I also wonder whether even with the best quality tights I would want to resort to that solution for the six months a year it might be necessary in my climate. But I will await instruction from more experienced YLF'ers. If Lyn in Manitoba and Sveta in London and others in Minnesota and the midwest have ideas, I'm all ears!

12 years ago

Patty

Veteran

Suz--two pair of leotards and RoseandJoan's mentioned stirrup ski pants meant I could wear my vest and skirt set to school and still slide down the snow piles left by the tractor at the IGA on the way home!
I was just wondering about the terms for tights and leotards coz I thought they were the same thing here eh---long socks with pants than hung half to your knees by lunch time--often with a cable knit design--holes in toes optional.

12 years ago

Lyrebirdgully

Active Member

The young women in my office don't seem to think black opaques are dated; on the contrary they seem to find them the hottest new thing, they have nearly all been wearing them this winter. No doubt they are keeping up with the celebs. e.g. (July 2011) http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk.....-July.html http://ris.fashion.telegraph.c.....43120a.jpg Browsing "black opaques fashion" will bring up plenty of images of styled opaques - including the ubiquitous and done-to-death "black-opaques-under-denim-shorts " look!
I must say that when the wearer's preferred outfit is the young office-worker's "uniform" of black pencil miniskirt and black ballet flats, the addition of black opaques is a great improvement. The opaques add a level of cohesion, purpose (and modesty!) to what would otherwise be an overly casual outfit. With some white in the outfit, the ensemble can convey a very French style of chic. Conversely, black sheers with a miniskirt can look somewhat "lingerie".
BTW, I think the hose that is most used in an unthinking way is the semi-opaque (about 40-60 denier). I don't like to use the loaded term "dated", but I think this common hose weight is overused, now that there are so many more choices these days in material, weight and weave. ..

12 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Thank you, thank you everybody - this has been very helpful. Do y'all think salt-n-pepper hair (about 60% black and 40% silver) would be considered "book ending" with the black opaque tights?

Suz - I clearly remember wearing leotards under my school uniform in the winter - constantly tugging them up and by half way through the day, you had major baggy knees!

12 years ago

Carole

Veteran

Another great lesson here!

12 years ago

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