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Select Hosiery

By Cynthia Nellis, About.com Guide

Still wearing white pantyhose with black shoes? Get with the program with these simple rules.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Varies

Here's How:

  1. Pantyhose colors should tie the outfit together.
  2. For a monochromatic look, choose dark hosiery with a dark bottom and shoes.
  3. For a trendier look, choose nude (an exact skintone match) hose, because a bare-legged look is still popular.
  4. For a flattering look, choose opaque tights with shorter skirts to minimize leg size.
  5. Avoid wearing matching hosiery for a monochromatic look unless you are wearing neutrals or darks such as beige, charcoal, navy or black.
  6. Avoid high-contrast between the hosiery and shoe colors (like white hose with black shoes).
  7. Never wear white hosiery unless you are a nurse or a bride.
  8. The sheerer the hose, the dressier the look. Choose semi-sheer for day, sheer for evening.

Tips:

  1. Avoid dark or heavy opaque hosiery with strapless or sleeveless dresses: it will look too heavy.
  2. Don't spend too much on hosiery: they all get runs and pulls.
  3. Avoid fishnets, imprinted tattoos and other hosiery fads that are difficult to pull off unless you're a teenager.

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