Three Office Appropriate Outfits Featuring Patterned Tights
19 Dec
A reader asked me to address the whole idea of patterned tights. She recently purchased these tights from New York & Company and wanted ideas on how to wear them.
So, how do you wear patterned tights to the office without looking ridiculous? In my mind the key is pairing them with simple staples: sheath dresses, skirts, and sweaters. Don’t try to compete with the tights too much in terms of other patterns and make sure that whatever you’re wearing fits well and covers everything appropriately.
Dress | Cardigan | Necklace | Shoes
You could also swap out the original tights for just about any gray or black tights in any pattern. Polka dots? Leopard print? Argyle would be especially fun.
Sweater | Blouse | Skirt | Shoes | Bracelet (similar)
Sweater | Necklace | Skirt | Boots
Again, when in doubt, keep your patterned tights office appropriate by pairing them with solid or neutral colors and wear shoes that match the tights.
Which patterned tights outfit is your favorite?
 |
0Tags: tights, you pick wednesday
Pairing the fancy sequined skirt with a neutral colored cardigan and nude heels helps keep it from being too bling-y or overwhelming.
The fact that I paired two pieces that could be considered slightly casual but added heels and a blazer makes my outfit work appropriate without being traditional.
Ever since I bought this tie-neck top I have been wanting to pair it with these pants. 
Today I’m going to share with you one of my favorite ways to this lace dress that I’ve come up with yet.
love all 3 and would totally wear all 3 looks (with tights) to work if I worked in an office
great post!
Thanks! It’s fun to come up with ideas for patterned tights.
I always paired my patterned tights with a plain skirt and plain sweater/top to make the tights as more of the statement piece. These outfits incorporate a little more pizzazz than I would have thought to put together. Thanks for the great suggestions!
You’re welcome! Patterned tights are an easy way to get into pattern mixing since they don’t have to be totally over the top.
I would wear all 3, but my fave is the pencil skirt look.
And I like to wear tights at work, in patterns and different colors. With my colored tights, I have found that more muted colors (cranberry, navy, heather grey, for example) are more work-appropriate and are more versatile, as seen here at http://wp.me/p2lhtK-Zj
The pencil skirt look is totally you
And, to be honest, it’s my favorite of the three as well.
Yay!!! Thanks so much for addressing my reader question, you are the bestest! I like the pencil skirt outfit the most. I agree with Kelly that these outfits incorporate a little more pizzazz than I would have thought to put together myself!
I love reader questions! Keep on sending ‘em my way!
I like #2! I’ve been wearing patterned tights a lot this year. They are great to add some variety with basic preppy pieces.
The pencil skirt outfit seems to be everyone’s favorite so far!
I could totally see myself wearing this! Especially a combo of #2 and #3 (take #3′s boots and pair them with #2
).
Does this help you picture how to wear patterned tights to the office without looking “slutty?”
Ha ha ha. I think I need a guide on what patterns are appropriate
Some just scream “slutty” to me. Is that bad?!
Such as which ones?
I cannot think of them off hand but if I run across I will send them. It’s probably their pairing with short skirts or something else not entirely appropriate.
Surprisingly, I wear patterned tights frequently. I guess I tend to look at them as a neutral if they are all black or all gray. I don’t mix them with any outrageous patterns but I don’t just stick to solids. I do tend to stick to solids when I wear my black and red plaid tights though.
Black and red plaid tights are definitely a statement piece! What do you usually wear with them?
Oh wow, I would wear all of those outfits! I never really thought about patterned tights with a sheath dress but now that you’ve mentioned it and showed that pretty outfit(with the cutest cardigan ever!) I really want to try some patterned tights with one now! I love number three as well, but I might have a small thing for full skirts. You always put together the best outfit ideas, I really didn’t think patterned tights could be that appropriate or “grown up” enough for the office but you’ve really given me some great ideas.
Do you have patterned tights? I would love to see you wear them!