Can Black Tights Ever Be Sexy?

A while ago, I asked you the question: Are Leather Trousers Ever Okay? In the end, we decided they could work, even for those of us without chopstick legs. And I got over my fear of them and bought a pair, which I’ve practically lived in ever since.

Now I’m asking: Can Black Tights Ever Be Sexy? This is a dilemma that’s been at the forefront of my mind for a while now. Here in the UK, the cold snowy weather has been dragging on and on into spring, and its only just lifted. The temperatures have been arctic here right up until last week, so if you were going out in the evening tights or blue, frozen legs were your only two options.

I’m definitely getting older, too. I used to be quite happy to freeze in the name of looking alluring, but now I don’t seem to be quite so willing to forego the comfort factor. I am now even of the age where I wear a coat when I go out clubbing (shock horror!), something my 18 year old self would have laughed at.

So tights at night are an extension of this. Determined to find a way to be stylish but still cover up, I have made it my mission to track down some examples of ladies rocking stylish outfits with the addition of black tights:

An example of how all black can still look chic. This scoop neck black jersey t-shirt dress, quite a casual outfit is dressed up for a night out with the aid of some super-long silver chains, a decorative mirrored bangle and a studded black leather bag. Sheer black tights and leather ankle boots help connect the look up while keeping the overall feel of the outfit glamorous. This would be the perfect outfit for going to a gig in.

Love, love, love this very cute outfit. It takes a OTT ‘sexy’ piece  - a tight, fire-engine red bodycon miniskirt- and tones it down and prettifies it with the help of a casual logo tee, a cute black bow belt, some chunky ankle boots and of course the black tights! It completely changes the vibe of the skirt, so it becomes an uplifting pop of colour rather than something raunchy. I completely love this girl’s styling.

A bit more of a gothic take on black tights, but I had to include this cute little emo girl, because her use of layering is genius. She’s taken what looks like a standard, strapless LBD and layered a white, handkerchief-hemmed vest and some strings of pearls over the top to add interest. Combined with interesting black lace-pattern tights and black ankle boots (sensing a theme here!), the result is a really interesting and unique outfit.

Black tights do high glamour! Combining a fitted black minidress with gorgeous silver sleeve details with spike metal bracelets, sky-high silver platforms and a simple black clutch fives this outfit a classy twist, and this lady legs that seem to go on forever! This outfit is extremely sexy so banish any thoughts of black tights being mumsy and unattractive.

This is a gorgeous outfit, complementing the black tights with cherry-red, military style shorts, a cream-and-tan striped skinny jumper, an oversized mink knit scarf, black bag and- my favourite touch, a pair of nude courts. Its never occurred to me to pair black tights with nude shoes, but in this outfit, it really works. The mix of hues here is masterful!

A really cute pairing of black tights and black patent Mary Jane shoes with a grey knit pinafore dress and a black vest underneath. I like the subverted innocence of the pinafore shape with the lower cut. Also, doesn’t she have amazing hair? 

This outfit is similar to the one above, but this time the grey knit is a jumper dress (complete with Mickey Mouse details). The black blazer its paired with gives the outfit a bit of shape, balancing the looser silhouette of the jumper. Flat shoes, but it’s still a sexy look!

This outfit is probably not something I’d be brave enough to wear myself, but I think its really well done, and as far as making black tights sexy goes, this is certainly a frontrunner!  There’s actually very little of the tights on show here -  just a flash of mid-thigh. Paired with tall, ruched tan suede boots and a high-waisted pencil skirt, an oversized white shirt tucked in with the sleeves rolled up, and a thick diamante choker over the shirt collar, this look has plenty of allure and lots of impact, without any flesh on show other than the forearms! A masterclass in how covered up doesn’t have to mean unsexy.

 

Finally, one of my favourite looks of the bunch. Here, the black tights have been paired with a buttoned-up light denim shirt and a black leather skater skirt (both of which items I really want for my own wardrobe. The leopard print clutch provides a lovely pop of colour and pattern. Cute black kitten-heeled court shoes complement the girly shape of the skirt. A metal studded belt emphasised the nipped-in-at-the-waist silhouette. What a great outfit!

 So there you have the case for the defence! Black tights can not only complement and outfit and make it sexy, but in some cases, they make the outfit what it is! Long live the covered up approach to being desirable!