tights – the Spiff

fall, fall fashion, Fashion, the limited, tights

Your Complete Guide to Tights

October 14, 2014 4 Comments

Superman, Batman, Robin – all of them prove a lot can be accomplished while wearing tights, and that it can all be done looking good.

Now that the season for tights has arrived, my outfit possibilities have quadrupled. They are one of the things I look forward to wearing the most in the fall/winter. Not only because they unlock so many great skirts, but because they are so very comfortable and slimming. And since someone once looked at my calves and asked if I play soccer, leg slimming is just what I need (never played soccer in my life outside of 3rd grade phys ed).

Here are some things to keep in mind when buying, wearing and caring for your tights…

Buying Tights

There are a lot of different kinds of tights out there. The two main words you need to pay attention to are “sheer” and “opaque” because they make a difference. Sheer is obviously going to let a little leg show through, while opaque means completely blackity black. Or navity navy…burgundity burgindy…and so on and so forth.

One of my favorite places to get them is The Limited. They have a great selection and they are really well made. You are going to pay a little more, but this means you won’t be running to Walgreen’s every weekend for a new pair. If you do happen to snag them on something, note where they’re snagged. If it’s below the knee you can keep them to wear with boots, if it’s higher up you can remember to wear them with certain skirt lengths. That way at least you wouldn’t have to get rid of them right away.

Wearing Tights

Opaque tights are going to let you get away with a bit of a shorter skirt. I hate the word “thigh” but because I love you, I’m going to use it to say – if your skirt is so short it’s showing where the tights weave pattern changes to the control part on your upper thigh *cringe* it’s TOO SHORT.

Sheer tights are best to pair with black boots. The sheerness will add a texture difference and will make it so the two blacks aren’t competing with each other.

Patterned tights are fun…if used in moderation. If your calves have never been confused with the muscles of a soccer player, feel free to wear patterned tights till the cows come home listening to the fat lady sing. I limit myself to wearing very discreet patterns, or minimizing their visual effect by pairing them with boots/booties.

Washing Tights

For the most part, tights can be washed in the gentle cycle then hung up to dry. As I write this, I’m realizing that the tights I washed with all the colored clothes were accidentally put in the dryer. Now I’m nervous to go open the dryer. Avoid that mistake and wash them separately. Do remember to wash them, though. For the love of all things, wash them.

For some great outfit ideas that incorporate tights, click here to see my Pinterest board!

christmas, product review, the limited, tights

Were to Get the Best Tights

December 6, 2013 No Comments

A good pair of tights will let you get away with a lot.

Things like – shorter hem lines, *whispers* not shaving.

It’s especially important this time of year to have a good pair you can rely on.

While you may be stuck in the habit of running to the drug store every time your last pair runs, you probably end up wasting more time and money on those cheap ones. Let me talk you into investing a few more dollars…

Several months ago The Limited was having a BOGO sale. When I went up to the register with my purchase, they told me one more item would be half off. So I grabbed a pair of tights.

I say grabbed, by I scoured the jewelry section first just to make sure there wasn’t anything I wanted, and really as a last resort I grabbed tights. But I’m so glad I did!

I know they’re not the funnest of purchases, but really they’re something I end up wearing multiple times per week. And The Limited’s are great.

They don’t cut my stomach too tightly, they have just the right amount of sheerness to them. They’re very durable, and they don’t get those little tiny nicks that cheap one’s do if your ring hits them the wrong way (I hate that). Plus they have, what’s become one of my strange little requirements, a tag on the one side so you always know which side is front and back (it’s the little things ;)

I got them on sale for $8 which is probably double what you’d pay if you bought them at a drugstore. But quality really makes a difference.

Standing there, trying to decide if they were worth it or not, I would have loved to ask for their list of references which is why I like to let you know these things. Plus they’d make someone a great Christmas present!

fall, fall fashion, shorts, tights, Why this works

Why This Works

November 5, 2013 No Comments

You’ve already heard me say how important it is to have a list going of things you need that will help build the perfect fall wardrobe.

If you haven’t already heard me say it, read that first sentence again.

One of the things on my fall wardrobe list this year, was to buy more patterned cardigans. And, for the love of God, to stay away from animal print as much as I possibly could (I love it a little too much at this point – if I wear it all together I look like I’m ready for safari).

Thanks to a $15 sweater sale at Target, I was able to stock up on two patterned cardi’s that will flow nicely with the rest of my closet, whilst breathing new pattern-life into my looks.

Pictured is one of them.

I love this because it’s a fresh take on the classic hounds tooth pattern, and it adds some much needed color into my fall looks.

I can pattern mix with it (as I did with the short’s subtle pattern), and it keeps me cozy and warm. It’s like have a super comfortable jacket on.

I love the shorts/tights look this time of year, and this sweater was the perfect way to anchor the ensemble (lets face it the shorts thing can get a little “lady of the night” if you don’t watch out).

What’s on your fall wardrobe list that you haven’t purchased yet?!