How to Choose Tights for Long Skirts (Denier, Colors and Shoes)

Tights are one of those things nobody talks about, but they make or break a skirt outfit. The right pair makes a long skirt look smooth and finished. The wrong pair, too shiny, too pale or the wrong shade next to your shoes, is the first thing you notice.

When you wear skirts every day like I do, tights stop being an afterthought. They keep you warm, they keep you covered when your hem moves or you sit down, and they connect the skirt to the shoes. Here's how I choose them.

What denier actually means

Denier is the number you see on every package of tights. It measures how thick the yarn is. Technically it's the weight in grams of 9,000 meters of the yarn, but all you really need to know is this: the higher the number, the thicker and less see-through the tights.

Brands label things a little differently, but this is roughly how it works:

• Under 20 denier: sheer. You can clearly see skin through them. Dressy and light.
• 20 to 40 denier: semi-sheer to semi-opaque. A soft veil of color with a little skin showing through.
• 40 to 60 denier: opaque. Mostly solid color, the everyday choice for many women.
• 70 denier and up: very opaque. Solid, matte and warm. Great for winter and for anyone who wants full coverage.

If coverage matters to you, check the denier before you buy, and if you can, look at the pair stretched over your hand. The same number can look different from one brand to another, and tights always look sheerer once they're stretched over your leg.

Opaque or sheer: which to choose

Opaque tights are my go-to with long skirts from fall through spring. They look neat, they're warm, and they feel the most modest because nothing shows through. With a midi or maxi skirt, you usually only see a few inches at the ankle and shin, so a matte opaque pair just reads as a clean line into your shoes.

Sheer tights feel dressier. They're lovely for a simcha, an evening event or a Shabbos outfit with pumps, especially in black or a skin tone. Many women who keep a full-coverage standard prefer a thicker denier even when they want a dressy look, so pick what fits your own comfort.

A good rule of thumb: the heavier the skirt fabric, the heavier the tights. Wool, tweed, corduroy and thick knits look best with opaque tights. Silk, satin, chiffon and light crepe can take a sheerer pair.

Matching tights to your shoes

This is the trick that makes everything look polished. When your tights match your shoes, your legs look longer and the outfit looks calm and pulled together.

• Black shoes: black tights, every time.
• Navy shoes: navy tights. Navy on navy looks richer than black with navy.
• Brown or burgundy boots: chocolate brown or deep burgundy tights.
• Grey suede: charcoal tights.
• Tan, camel or nude shoes: skin-tone tights that match your own skin as closely as possible.

If you can't match the shoes exactly, go a touch darker rather than lighter. Darker tights with slightly lighter shoes still look intentional. Very pale tights with dark shoes can look disconnected.

Matching tights to your hem

The second option is to match the tights to the skirt instead. A navy skirt with navy tights, or a grey knit skirt with charcoal tights, creates one long column of color from the waist down. It's slimming, and it's lovely with long skirts because the hem flows into the legs without a sharp break.

When the skirt, tights and shoes are all one color, it looks especially elegant. Think a black A-line skirt, black tights and black pumps, or brown corduroy with brown tights and brown boots.

If your skirt is patterned, like a plaid, floral or tweed, pull the darkest color from the pattern and wear tights in that shade.

Skin-tone tights, done right

Skin-tone tights are wonderful with light skirts, pastels and tan or nude shoes. The key is choosing the right shade.

• Hold the package against the inside of your wrist or your leg in daylight.
• Choose a shade that matches your skin or is a touch warmer, not lighter.
• Pick a matte finish. Shiny nude tights tend to look dated and catch the light in photos.
• A 15 to 30 denier skin-tone pair looks natural while still smoothing everything out.

Skin-tone tights with a camel skirt and tan loafers is one of my favorite easy daytime looks.

Colors that work with long skirts

Beyond black and skin tone, a few colors are worth owning:

• Navy for navy, denim and cream outfits.
• Chocolate brown with camel, rust, olive and brown boots.
• Charcoal or grey with grey knits, blush and burgundy.
• Burgundy as a pretty surprise with camel, grey or navy.
• Cream or ivory for winter white outfits and with light shoes.

Keep bright colors and heavy patterns for the occasional fun outfit. With a long skirt, simple matte tights almost always look more elegant.

Comfort and fit tips

• Buy by height and weight. Tights that are too short pull down at the waist and bag at the ankles.
• Look for a comfortable waistband. A wider, softer waistband is easier to wear all day, especially at shul or a long simcha.
• Try a fleece-lined pair on very cold days. They're thick and warm and still look like opaque tights from the outside.
• Keep a spare pair in your bag for events. A run right before a wedding is no fun.
• Wash gently in a mesh bag on a cold, delicate cycle and let them air dry. They'll last much longer.

Easy pairings to copy

Autumn walk. A long navy pleated skirt, cream chunky sweater, navy scarf, opaque navy tights and navy suede ankle boots.

Cafe date. A grey turtleneck, long black A-line skirt, sheer black tights and black pointed pumps.

Weekday errands. An ivory blouse, camel wool midi skirt, skin-tone tights and tan leather loafers.

Shabbos lunch. A burgundy knit dress, burgundy opaque tights and dark burgundy flats.

Winter office. A charcoal knit maxi skirt, black fine-knit sweater, charcoal tights and black loafers.

A few quick rules

• Match your tights to your shoes or your skirt, and you'll never go wrong.
• When in doubt, choose matte over shiny.
• Thicker skirts call for thicker tights.
• Go darker rather than lighter if the colors don't match exactly.

Once you have a few good pairs in black, navy, brown and your skin tone, you can wear almost any long skirt in your closet with confidence. Tights are small, but they're what make a skirt outfit feel complete.

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