Nude opaque tights - acceptable or weird? - YouLookFab Forum

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Nude opaque tights - acceptable or weird?

Jo

I've had it up to here with sheer pantyhose than run after 1-3 wearings. Whether it's my toenails, my clumsiness, or bad luck, I get a run that can't be salvaged. I've tried bargain brands and luxury and everything in between, and it doesn't help.

I often wear knee-length skirts for work. Because the dress code explicitly requires skin coverage, pantyhose or tights are a must. (Even fishnet is specifically prohibited, probably because some skin remains exposed. Fwiw, I work in a health care environment, even though I have no direct patient contact.)

Anyway - will nude opaque tights look weird in the summer? Can't say that I've ever seen anyone sporting that look around here (upper midwest, US). I don't want to look like I'm a dancer wannabe. I'm nearly 40 and want to look professional. I'd appreciate any suggestions (brands, alternatives, etc).

Thanks in advance.

Dressing

8 replies

Latest reply was from Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

donnat

Veteran

I think given your work dress requirements, that skin tone opaque is totally acceptable.

Lyn D.

Veteran

If you get the colour right- not too dark/ not too light they should be fine.

Diana

Veteran

I've got some that I wear in the winter and I like them. It's a bit harder to match color though so you have to be careful. Wish I could recommend a brand - my pair (no idea what brand) is quite old I'm looking for a replacement pair myself. Tried some Danskins last winter and the color was good for me but they sprouted a hole in the crotch on the first wear. =( So maybe not those. But it does seem like only dance companies make them.

unfrumped

Veteran

I think they are hard to get right if you don't want to look like you're wearing some kind of medical hosiery. But, there have been a lot of new directions in tights, so something might work, and maybe there are many more "shades" to work with. Would you be able to consider some kind of fun or contrasting color coordinated with your skirt, if you're finding it hard to get a good skin tone match?

Echo

Veteran

I would try to find a better brand of sheer hosiery if I were you. It is VERY difficult to get nude opaques that don't look really, really odd. Invariably they end up looking like you're wearing a full leotard under your clothing or like geriatric support hose. Perhaps I have just seen poor examples, but there is a reason they are almost impossible to find outside a dance supply store.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I'd rather just go for a colour - I agree that nudes are really hard to find a good match.

Jo

Thanks for all the replies. Company-wise, we're supposed to dress business formal - and I think colored tights (red, blue, etc) may be a little too much for the environment, even though my department generally is fine with business casual.

I'll try a pair and see how I feel wearing them. I don't want to be self conscious or feel like my hose distracts people from the business at hand (plus, we literally have self-appointed dress code police here, I've heard stories of people being approached by random employees who let them know they're not following code).

Thanks again for your thoughts!

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I've always had good luck with Hanes Silk Reflections - there are some that aren't too sheer, but I can't remember what they're called. I think it has 'support' in the description though.

I've found Capezio dance tights seem to last years, until the elastic is shot, or I've washed it with the wrong color. http://www.discountdance.com has customer reviews for pretty much every tight out there, I think!