Choosing a tasteful outfit, hosiery and accessories is only possible if you know the rules governing formal occasions; together we'll see how to choose the right tights or stockings, when to wear them and how to combine them perfectly.
Outfit, hosiery and good taste: etiquette for ceremonies
Even though not everyone follows it these days, the etiquette surrounding formal occasions gives a number of rules relating to the choice of outfit: tights and sandals, for example, are the only acceptable combination for wearing open-toed shoes without showing bare legs and feet, which is considered bad manners in formal situations.
Indeed, formal etiquette doesn't even spare brides: if you want to show really good taste, wear stockings (albeit very sheer) for the ceremony at any time of year, including summer. So if you want to follow the rules, remember outfit, hosiery and footwear.
How to wear stockings with a formal dress
Whether it’s a ceremony, a degree viva or a particularly important professional occasion, the ability to combine hosiery with a formal outfit is valuable. Let's start with thickness: summer is for the finest sheer and transparent legwear, usually in nude shades, while in winter semi or completely opaque tights are better, in flesh tones, black or classic dark shades such as midnight blue or lead grey. For occasions when the focus is more on combining hosiery with an outfit, however, it's not usually done to wear colored tights, which may look overly flashy.
Here are five suggestions for combining hosiery with formal wear:
- if you choose nude stockings or tights, go for a shade as close as possible to your skin tone;
- with tight-fitting clothes, choose tights with flat seams and a body-shaping upper section;
- opt for opaque, sophisticated and sober colors;
- choose high-quality tights or stockings to match the quality of your garments;
- make sure your tights are the right size for maximum comfort and to prevent unsightly bulges.
When to wear tights? In summary
Although we've already discussed when to wear tights, there's a general rule that helps us deal with any situation: on formal occasions, the legs and feet should never be bare. Obviously, this doesn't necessarily mean we have to wear tights all the time, but it helps us to divide situations into two main categories: those where it's important to follow the rules of etiquette (and therefore wear tights!) and those where it's not so important. Simple, isn't it?
Etiquette, hosiery and sustainability: the Endless solution
According to etiquette, stockings and tights are essential items in the female wardrobe. If you want to do the right thing in every situation without sacrificing respect for the planet, choose sustainable products: Endless tights are made using only recycled or biodegradable materials - click here to browse the catalogue.