Black Tights & Stockings to Compliment Any Outfit
Typical to the vagaries of fashion, black tights and stockings have come in and out of style several times. The saying that everything old is new again is played out over and over again on the runways and racks of apparel. A quick look at today’s fashion trends will confirm that, for now, black tights and stockings are definitely part of the trend.
The women of the Beat Generation completely embraced black tights as a way of expressing their departure from the conservative 1950’s housewife role. A pencil skirt, turtleneck, black tights and flats became the unofficial uniform for these female followers of Ginsberg and Kerouac, and was The Outfit for listening to mad bebop jazz played in dark, smoky bars from the Village to North Beach. The look still works and is a favorite with women from Paris to Des Moines. Shoes styles are much more flexible and pairing anything from peep toe pumps to Uggs is not out of the question. To lighten the look without losing the feel, try black stockings instead of tights. Stockings create a more elegant, polished look than tights but still manage to keep a bit of that essential Beat vibe.
No one looks better in a little black dress than Audrey Hepburn. It has to be said however, that Ms. Hepburn could wear a suit of armor and look amazing, but that does not take away from her sense of style. At a recent film premier in London, Reese Witherspoon seemingly channeled the Breakfast in Tiffany’s star with a simple black dress, black tights, and a little something sparkly at the neckline.
A classic, black on black is slimming, flexible, and can go practically anywhere. To give your outfit an extra kick, choose lace or textured black stockings and kicky shoes. You will be noticed without making a scene.
Baby doll dresses, lacey Goth inspired creations, pleated mini skirts, paisley print sack dresses, or square-neck cocktail shifts all work well with black stockings or tights and each look has its own personality. Gwyneth Paltrow looks smashing in a black leather pencil skirt, black tights, and boxy unconstructed jacket but not everyone does and honestly, that’s the way it should be. The upshot of dressing well is by dressing to please yourself, you ultimately really rock your look. So explore, have fun, and look great!