Q&A about individual items, ensembles, and wardrobe

What's appropriate leg covering for business skirts?

I'm wondering what's acceptable to wear on the legs with skirts in the business setting. I've always believed it's pantyhose, but I really hate the stuff- always runs, and the colour never matches my skin colour. But let me know if it is still required.
Also, what colour of hose or tights are best to wear with black, navy or grey suit skirts?

The latest reply was from Angie . You can follow further contributions to the conversation through the RSS 2.0 feed.


3 Replies

Posted 2 months ago

I think it depends on the setting. In some business settings, bare legs are okay, whereas in others that are more conservative, you should really be wearing hose. If I were you, I would look at the other women in a similar position in the office and see what they wear. If they all wear hose, wear hose. If there are women who are well-regarded and well-respected and they have bare legs, then I would be more comfortable going bare.

In terms of color, obviously nude hose would work with any of those. Black hose would work with the black suit. I guess you could possibly wear the black hose with the grey skirt as well, but that's not a look I love.

Posted 2 months ago

I think nude, taupe, or black hose look most professional with skirt suits. I don't like the opaque look of tights with a business skirt ... although I do like the opaque look of tights with tweed, cord, or other textured fabric skirts. At my work place, I wear my skirt suits with bare legs, but for a recent interview, I was sure to wear hose.

Also, I've found that more expensive hose looks nicer than the kind I can pick up at drug stores. They're thicker, and not quite as easy to run, and are more silky feeling against my skin.

Posted 2 months ago

Very valid comments. It really depends on your industry, AND how conservative your work environment is. In my field, I could wear any type of hose in a stylish way and go bare legged at any time. But as a lawyer, you’d probably have to wear nude or black hose in court. And then there’s everything in-between.

What line of work are you in?

Posted 2 months ago