Before you decide you need a whole new outfit, try changing your tights.
It sounds like a small thing, but the difference between a sheer black leg, a floral lace pattern and a glossy finish can completely change how a dress or skirt feels. The clothes stay the same; the mood changes.
For this week’s Selene’s Styling, we’re looking at how to style tights as part of the outfit, rather than treating them as something you add at the last minute.
Sheer 20-denier tights: the clean finishing touch
When you want the dress to be the focus, sheer tights are an easy place to start. A 20-denier finish gives a lighter look than a thicker pair, letting the shape and fabric of your outfit stand out.
Think a black dress, sheer black tights and a simple pointed heel. It feels considered without needing lots of accessories. With a tailored mini skirt, try a fine knit and a sleek shoe for a different take on the same idea.
Our 20 Denier Tights are listed in black and brown at £8. Brown is a lovely option to consider with chocolate tones; black gives a sharper finish. Check the product page for current availability.
My styling tip: look at the tights and shoes together. Keeping them close in colour gives a more continuous line; a contrasting shoe makes the footwear more of a feature.
Floral lace and fishnet tights: make a simple outfit interesting
If you’ve got a plain dress or skirt that feels a little predictable, patterned tights can give it a different personality. You don’t always need a new statement top or a bigger piece of jewellery.
Our Floral Fishnet Tights, £8, bring that lace-like floral detail in black, brown and burgundy. The pattern becomes part of the outfit, so give it room to show.
Try black floral tights with a simple black mini dress and a pointed heel. For a skirt outfit, keep the top relatively plain—a fine knit or clean fitted top lets the floral detail do the interesting bit. Burgundy adds a little colour to a black outfit without changing everything else.
My styling tip: when the tights are the statement, keep the shoe simple. You want to see the pattern rather than have every part of the outfit competing for attention.
High-shine tights: a dressier finish for evening
A glossy finish changes the effect again. Our Black High Shine 20 Denier Tights, £8, have a sheer look with a shine that catches the light.
This is where I’d bring in our Satin Draped Mini Corset Dress, £29.99. For an evening outfit, try the black dress with black high-shine tights and a sleek black heel. The satin draping and glossy leg bring texture to the look, while the colour stays simple.
Prefer the brown dress? Black tights and black heels create contrast against the chocolate satin. Keep the bag simple and let the neckline and draping show.
My styling tip: try the sheer, floral and high-shine finishes with the same dress and shoes. That side-by-side comparison makes it much easier to see which mood you prefer.
50 denier: a stronger block of colour
For a more covered look, our 50 Denier Tights, £8, come in black and burgundy. Try them with a skirt and knit when you want the colour of the tights to help pull the outfit together.
Burgundy works beautifully as a detail alongside chocolate, cream or black. You don’t need to match it everywhere—a simple bag and jewellery can be enough to finish the look.
One outfit, a different finish
Start with something you already own, choose your shoes, then change the tights. Sheer keeps the look clean, floral adds pattern, high-shine brings gloss and 50 denier gives a stronger colour finish.
Not sure which works with your outfit? Visit Unscripted, our independent women’s fashion boutique on Deardengate in Haslingden, Rossendale, and ask us. Bring a photo of the dress or skirt you’re styling and we can help you think through the finishing touches.
Explore the tights linked above for current availability. All four styles are listed as one size; check the individual product details before ordering.
Love,
Selene x
Owner & Stylist, Unscripted