Wearing Black tights with cocktail dress

[CEC.LV4eva]

i thought pantyhose = tights?? what's the difference??

Hey June! They're often used interchangeably these days, however I think the following apply:

Pantyhose:
- Almost always have a denier count
- The higher the denier count, the more opaque they are
- Always made of either traditional nylon (cheap) or silk (high end), or a blend of both. Sometimes now they will add cashmere or wool.
- Older terminology

Tights/Leggings:
- I think historically these were made of thicker material, often containing cotton and wool, thus will always appear more opaque
- Can be called (often opaque) pantyhose, however the reverse is not true (ie pantyhose cannot be called tights or leggings in its true sense). This is why Wolford uses TIGHTS to call both to make the terminology easier. Thus as you can see sheer or opaque pantyhose is still tights in these pictures.

 

[juneping]

Hey June! They're often used interchangeably these days, however I think the following apply:

Pantyhose:
- Almost always have a denier count
- The higher the denier count, the more opaque they are
- Always made of either traditional nylon (cheap) or silk (high end), or a blend of both. Sometimes now they will add cashmere or wool.
- Older terminology

Tights/Leggings:
- I think historically these were made of thicker material, often containing cotton and wool, thus will always appear more opaque
- Can be called (often opaque) pantyhose, however the reverse is not true (ie pantyhose cannot be called tights or leggings in its true sense). This is why Wolford uses TIGHTS to call both to make the terminology easier. Thus as you can see sheer or opaque pantyhose is still tights in these pictures.

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thanks cec!!

 

[CEC.LV4eva]

thanks cec!!

np, hope it helped

Oh and I think tights/leggings were also used for more athletic use - ballet, figure skating, speed skating, horse back riding...etc. So they had to be thicker to keep you warm. I used to figure skate and we had nude tights as well... but we never called them pantyhose...

 

[Gerry]

What about getting a spray tan to smooth out imperfections? Is this the same as wearing skin colored stockings. Oh, this is crazy. I think opaque black tights are too casual for evening. They are a day look,to me! I could go with fishnets for a compromise but I don't think anything opaque belongs with a satin cocktail dress!!!<<---------early HAPPY HALLOWEEN. I just love this guy!!

 

[Brigitte031]

for me, pantyhose are itchy. i like how tights are a bit thicker and softer/smoother feeling.

yessss. The thought of wearing pantyhose makes my skin kinda crawl... but the thought of wearing tights makes me feel warm inside. Funny how the material of a clothing item can bring about such feelings and memories.

 

[LuckyCloset]

I wear black tights in cool weather all the time. Go ahead and wear them with your cocktail dress.

 

[gracekelly]

I like the lighter weight opaques with a cocktail dress. The very heavy and dark ones just take away from the dress as they look too much like a legging to me. Does that make sense? I like Wolford and Donna Karan.

 

[Handbag1234]

How about very fine fishnets or even 15 denier with a seam at the back? Very 1940's. guys love them, brings out the the inner 'James Bond' smoothy in them! Neither option would be 'old' in my mind. Depends on the outfit. If it's a funky young look, thick opaque tights would be fine too, especially if worn with ankle boots rather than evening sandals.