IT'S COLD OUT
I get it: black, beige, cream, brown, subtle textures, sometimes a few daring winter colors to spice things up? I get it. Believe me, I’m going to keep wearing my minis and pencils and full skirts all the way through the thaw, but, I have to say that the patterned tights that are dominant now have me scrambling to figure out how to wear them. And, I don’t mean ‘patterned' like zig-zags, pin-stripes or other subtle monochromatic patterns, I mean fuchsias, grapes, multi-colored flowers, diamonds, clouds, etc. Essentially, the new tights I’m seeing are like abstract art on your legs.

ABSTRACTS
The abstracts seem to be worn mostly with mini-skirts in denim, tweed or other thick monochromatic material. Shoes or ankle boots are generally black or match a color from tights, as does the top. The fitted sweater or camisole with jacket generally picks up one of the colors in the tights and often have a subtle pattern as well. Go big or go home. It is definitely tricky to wear this look well without turning into a Liechtenstein print.

BOLD TIGHTS
Monochromatic (seems to be my word of the day), but bold tights need to be carefully finessed as well, but not like the abstracts. I would pair neutral pieces with bold tights, i.e. with grape tights wear tan shoes, a tan/brown/cream plaid pencil skirt with fitted v-neck brown sweater and a collared white button-down shirt underneath. Grays, black, browns, tans, creams, and white are your safest bets. Be aware that bright/bold colors are more suited to medium to slender legs, while abstract patterns actually help to provide shape and curve to bony legs.

TEXTURES
The single colored but subtly textured tights and basic tights are much easier to wear. Tights with subtle textures are sometimes tricky to wear with a lot of texture or patterns in the clothing. To be on the safe side, wear textured tights with no other patterns or with other subtle patterns.

Here are some ideas:

1. A brown tweed skirt with short-sleeved turtleneck and skinny brown waist belt with black shoes and black criss-cross tights

2. Dark gray tweed cropped pants with lime green satin tip, black blazer, black shoes and dark grey diamond textured tights (pictured right)

3. Black pencil skirt, light gray fitted sweater, medium gray semi-flower print tights and charcoal pumps