In cool weather, my work outfits are based on black footwear and hosiery. This works with dresses of all lengths and top/skirt combinations. I do like it; it's sleek and sophisticated. Black opaque tights have more comfort, warmth, and durability for daylong wear. The combination downplays the shortness of some skirts on my long legs. And it simplifies outfit creation.

And yet, the visual weight and darkness starts to get to me several months in.
I get tired of the same few pairs of shoes, too. I'd like to lighten it up, but efforts in the past haven't been outstanding successes:

I've tried adding color in tights, shoes, and sometimes skirts. But it's tricky with shoes; I have a paranoia of looking stuck in the 80s (black tights + white shoes). And bright shoes draw attention, while dark shoes are too low contrast. The same goes for tights. Brights and most patterns feel too circus-y and juvenile, and darks are boring. I do love having non-black skirts. A forest green skater skirt was a workhorse last year. But I'm picky about fit and coordination, so it's extremely hard to find these.

Mulling this over once more, I've come up with some new refinements. I'm having a hard time visualizing some of them, though, and I'd appreciate any other ideas or inspiration.

Vary Up the Black

Part of my dissatisfaction last year was having only 2 pair of black shoes/boots that I really enjoyed wearing. I've added black pumps and tall black suede boots with heels, plus some fabric flats that are strappy but with closed toes.

I'm also trying to vary my black skirt collection. In addition to the black skater skirt, I acquired a basic black "swing" skirt and 1950s quilted circle skirt. I also just ordered a black faux leather skirt with a hi-lo hem from ASOS. (Pockets!) I'm hoping the variation in length and texture will help.

Textured Legware

Before, I focused on color. What about varying instead the texture and pattern, but keeping it black? Sock Dreams has some dense lace/crocheted tights in black. They aren't as warm as solid tights, but they're comfortable and durable. I would do these with all but the shortest skirts.

Careful Color

I realized that when I was incorporating color into the formula before, I used COLOR. Instead, what about focusing on my neutrals: white, true gray and cream (neither by my face), and navy. (My colors are jewel-toned, or tints just a tiny bit softer than jeweled-toned. Not muddy, not grayed, not yellowed. Neutrals with brown in them tend to not play nicely. Cognac alone might mix in well, but I'm not particularly drawn to that look/style.)

Initial ideas:
- cream-colored tights with texture (so they don't look like skin)
- true gray tights if I can find them
- silver or true gray footwear
- navy footwear (v. hard to find)

I tried to find some white Chelsea boots last year, but in my mind's eye it looked too stark with black skirts. I can't think of a leg color that would smooth that transition appropriately.

I saw some silver Aquatalia tall boots from the same line as my black ones. A pair showed up on ebay, and I saw them once on "sale" for about what I paid for the black ones. I know now that I love the fit and comfort, but I'm having a hard time visualizing them with various colors of hosiery.

I'm having a hard time finding inspiration pics of non-black equivalents like this. Everything is black+black, with the occasional cognac+black and gray+gray.

Thoughts? Ideas?