Dressing at this time of year is always a bit of a gamble.  The weather reports just can’t be relied on and dressing for work is especially tricky if, like me, you are usually up before the day has had a chance to show its true colours!  Making sure you have lots of layers on your top half that you can put on and take off as the day goes on is key.  Legwear however, is not so simple to get on and off in public.  So here is our guide to the warm but not too warm hosiery that will help you negotiate that tricky period in between the seasons.

On days when it is too warm to wear opaques Jonathan Aston’s Sheer Coloured Tights are a perfect alternative.  They’ll give you the same colour pop you get from your thicker opaques but in a 15 denier weight which is much more suitable for the Indian summer we seem to be experiencing.

If you are devoted to your sheer tights through summer and want to stick with them when the weather has cooled slightly, I’d advise trying something in a 20 denier like Falke’s Pure Matte 20 Tights. They’ll give you the natural finish you crave but with just a little more coverage and warmth.  For early autumn evenings, Levante’s 20 denier Brillante Tights have a glamorous high gloss finish you will love.

Warm enough to keep the chill at bay when the sun goes in but breathable so you won’t overheat when the sun comes out blazing, fishnets and lacy tights are your best friends through the transition of the seasons.    Pretty Polly’s Honeycomb Fishnets are a really unusual and decorative way to wear your fishnets.  Aristoc’s crochet lace Textured Chevron Tights are soft and knitted to give warmth when it gets chilly.  If you are nervous about wearing fishnets or you don’t feel they are appropriate for work try micronets like the Jonathan Aston and Levante Micronet Tights.  The holes are much less noticeable and, especially with the Levante, from a distance they will look like sheer tights.

We’ve also got a range of sheer patterned tights that are absolutely ideal at this time of year.  Falke have been especially good to us with their ultra flattering Grand Pepita Tights and Fine Stripes Tights. Both are 20denier and have patterns that run in vertical lines to slim and elongate your leg.

Sheer and opaque combinations are great for when the weather is changeable as they offer just enough but not too much warmth.  Spotted hosiery and animal prints are a big trend this season and you can get both these looks in sheer/opaque styles.  Wolford’s Wilderness Tights with their ultra fashionable tiger skin pattern should be considered essential.   Subtle spotted patterns on sheer backgrounds come in the form of Pamela Mann’s Sheer Dotty Tights or Gerbe’s Plumetis Spotty Tights.   If you want a bolder look then Wolford’s Bonny  Dots Tights or Pamela Mann’s Oversized Spot Tights have the polka dot look that has been featured regularly in all the fashion magazines!

If you have invested in a few choice pieces for Autumn Winter that you are itching to slip into, then choosing your hosiery wisely is key.  On cool days choose patterns that combine sheer and opaque hosiery or plain 20 denier sheers.  When it is warmer experiment with breathable nets and lace to cover up but still stay cool. Sensible choices on leg wear will have you wearing next season’s clothes today without melting into a puddle.

Returning to work after a fabulous holiday is always a drag.  Even if you love your job, lounging on the beach is a more attractive prospect than morning commuting.   Still you can cheer yourself with the fact that autumn/winter is the best time to invest in your work wardrobe.  The heavier, warmer fabrics of winter lend themselves to a polished, professional look more than the light silks and cottons of summer and leg wear becomes more central to your look.   Of course, we’ve got the basics covered but we’ve also got some suggestions for adding a dash of fun fashion and colour to your work wardrobe.

In some workplaces only classic sheers will do but nothing spoils your professional look like an unsightly ladder.  The MyTights.com top work wear tip is run resist tights.   Aristoc’s Ultimate Matte 10 Denier Tights for example, have special ladder resist technology.  Unlike the old fashioned ladder resist products which looked and felt less than lovely, Aristoc have developed ladder resist yarns that are velvety soft and look sensational.

Warm and easy to wear, black opaques are also likely to made a regular appearance in your work wardrobe.  At MyTights.com we’ve made sure we have opaques in every thickness and to suit every pocket.  Start with a 40 denier now, like Jonathan Aston’s 40D opaque Tights or Falke’s Seidenglatt 40 and then work your way up to heavier weights like Pamela Mann’s 120 Denier Opaque Tights or Trasparenze’s 100D Cortina Tights as the winter wears on.

Opaque Tights offer endless outfit transforming possibilities however, so don’t just stick to plain old black.   This season’s fashion is brimming with rich autumnal and jewel colours.  Black tights can be a harsh a contrast with these shades and cheapen an otherwise polished look.  Instead, choose deep shades of red, purple, blue and brown to wear with complementary tones – between them Pretty Polly’s 60 Denier Plush Opaques and Aristoc’s 40 Denier Microfibre Tights should have all the shades you need.  Mixing these deep rich tones is an easy way to dress for success as they will instantly make your outfit look more expensive and high end.

If you really want to show off your style savvy and exude confidence then you can use carefully chosen fashion tights to add a little pep to your work outfits.  We’d recommend choosing classic, regular patterns and subtle designs.  Wear Pretty Polly Clossio Fans Tights for example, with a knee length skirt and heels for a classic, elegant but interesting look – the lacey effect will take you effortlessly from boardroom to evening drinks too!  If it is important for you look like you have your finger on the pulse of fashion but don’t want to buy a whole new work wardrobe every season, then the dainty spots on the Gerbe Plumetis Spotty Tights or Pamela Mann’s Sheer Dotty Tights are a pretty and professional way to wear this season’s key trend.  Wolford’s Bonny Dots Tights are a bolder way to wear the trend but their polka dots are arranged in flattering vertical lines which will make you look neat and sophisticated.

Classic sheers and opaques are inevitably going to dominate most work wardrobes – they are tried and tested and whatever the dress code they are always work appropriate.  However, when you can we’d certainly recommend you brighten up your work day (and everyone else’s) with flashes of colour and pattern.  Tights are one of the easiest and cheapest ways to do this and we’ve got pattern and print in just about every style and in a rainbow of colours.  Experiment and you may just find yourself crowned the office style guru.

Laura
Founder of MyTights.com