Stockings After 60

Stockings are fashionable at any age, though after 60 they become essential to a woman’s wardrobe. Their magical powers can stylishly transform the ordinary to extraordinary while performing double-duty — camouflaging imperfections, elongating silhouettes and elevating looks. Plus recent fabric innovations have leveled up their performance, delivering benefits like extra hold, lift, smoothing and sculpting but without sacrificing comfort. Tights are masterful magicians but styling them takes finesse, knowledge, creativity and practice. To help, here are 5 pro tips that demonstrate their full potential:

1. Monochromatic always wins
   Matching tights to outfit color is a great way to lengthen and strengthen your silhouette. Black on black is the ultimate iconic pairing, as popularized by Donna Karan in 1985. Every combination of her “Seven Easy Pieces” collection — skirt, trouser, bodysuit, white shirt, cashmere sweater, jacket, trench coat — were styled with black tights. Also consider color and pair a red dress with red tights to amp up drama and height at once, then finish with metallic accessories that lighten and brighten. For extra polish, try opaque tights for a sleeker, more sophisticated look that also conceal less-than-perfect legs.

2. Go for texture
   If the head-to-toe monochromatic style feels too bold or over-powering, keep the 1-color theme but try tone-on-tone textured tights to lighten the look — dots, chevron stripes, lace or micro-fishnets add both interest and airiness. Still match tights to clothing color to elongate figure, but add an overcoat in a neutral if outfit is in a statement color — or a statement color if outfit is in a neutral — to balance color palette.

3. Go for prints
   Sublimation printed tights have grown in popularity in recent years thanks to innovative printing methods and new machinery. There are suitable styles for all ages, including over 60. Shop Burberry-style plaids, smart stripes and traditional paisley prints for a pop of fun, then pair with understated, simple pieces with clean lines that don’t compete or add noise to the print. Now that’s a fun look!

4. When in doubt, stick with the classics
   Stockings are the ultimate outfit finisher that polish and elevate on-demand. Stick with the classics to dress up any daytime look for evening — sheer nude, ecru or black hose, or opaque black for an urban, high-style look. Like trouser socks, match tights color to clothing color, not shoes.

5. Think “accessory”
   Above all, think of tights as an accessory. Like jewelry they can be the statement piece that the rest of the outfit revolves around. Try deep, solid muted tones like burgundy, garnet, hunter green, chocolate or raspberry, leaving the bright, neon and trend-driven hues for the younger set. Think unexpected pairings like strong solids with tweeds, textured lace with pinstripes and feminine floral prints with a structured suit or LBD. The more unexpected the pairing, the more chic.

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