How to Match Nylons With a Shirt & Shoes

Multiple factors determine the best choice of nylons for a particular occasion.

Appearances can be very important, especially for special occasions when you get dressed up in more formal attire. This makes it important for you to get your look just right, including choosing the right accessories. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the best color of nylons or hosiery to wear with a particular outfit to make the desired impression.

Formal Occasions

If you are attending a wedding, funeral, religious service, formal event or job interview, you will want to go with a more formal look than if you are going out on a date or just getting dressed for an average day. On formal occasions, you should opt for neutral-colored nylons or black stockings, depending on the outfit. Only opt for black stockings on formal occasions if you are wearing black shoes or a black skirt or dress.

Style

For more informal occasions, you can choose to stick with neutral or black stockings, or you can opt for colorful or patterned stockings, depending on your style. Neutral stockings and black stockings are good options for those with a more classic style, while you may like to play around with patterns or colors if you have a more trendy style. Just keep in mind that you don't want to mix boldly patterned stockings with a patterned outfit, as the overall effect may be too distracting.

Effect

If you would like to look taller and slimmer, match your hosiery color to your shoe color, since this has an elongating effect. Darker colors also tend to be more slimming, while patterns and bright colors tend to give the appearance that you are curvier. Bulky hosiery also can make you look heavier, so choose nylons rather than tights to appear slimmer.

Considerations

Except in the case of a job interview, you can go without nylons if you would like, and you should if you are going to wear open-toed shoes. If you want to match your hose to your outfit, it is most common to match them to the color of your shoes, although some people match their hose color to that of their skirt or dress. Matching your hose to your shirt is not as common.

References

• Type F: What Color Stockings to Wear With a Light Brown Dress?
• Ladies Home Journal: Your Hoisery Questions Answered
• University of Illinois Extension, Urban Programs Resource Network: Looking Your Best for Work