Dressed for success

[HouseofWool]

I would prefer to wear no hose, but since it isn't allowed, I need something. Dark tights strike me as too blah, but nude hose seems really old fashioned, unless I could get a pair with seams for the shirt dress.

[Mrs. MD, Esq.]

I was recently reading about how this is a big generational gap. Young professionals in their 20s maybe early 30s will wear no hose in business dress but everyone else seems pretty old-school when it comes to wearing pantyhose.

I never wear hose (I will wear tights in winter). Drove my old boss crazy (especially when I'd go to court without them). I hate how hose look and feel!

[MsSassyBaskets]

Personally if I have to wear tights with a black dress, I usually go with patterned black tights. Think herringbone rather than fishnet. It keeps it from being too boring with all the black on black on black. I hate nude hose, but I'm in the age range Cassy mentions, so to me they're a huge faux pas.

[SoonerTexan]

Huh, interesting.

[OrionGrad]

Personally if I have to wear tights with a black dress, I usually go with patterned black tights. Think herringbone rather than fishnet. It keeps it from being too boring with all the black on black on black. I hate nude hose, but I'm in the age range Cassy mentions, so to me they're a huge faux pas.

This.

[JDAZ11]

Meh, I'm in that age range. I've thrown on nude hose with a skirt suit before (rarely, but it's happened). In fact, in law school they told us we had to wear them when interviewing. I wouldn't do it with anything too casual, but if you have to wear them, I don't really think there is an issue. Just make sure they are the ought shade.

[MsSassyBaskets]

Meh, I'm in that age range. I've thrown on nude hose with a skirt suit before (rarely, but it's happened). In fact, in law school they told us we had to wear them when interviewing. I wouldn't do it with anything too casual, but if you have to wear them, I don't really think there is an issue. Just make sure they are the ought shade.

I will say, I think it's different for lawyers? There's such a clear expectation around wardrobe for female lawyers, and possible for those higher up in business too - I think MBA programs give similar advice. My friends in law do wear nude hose, but not really by choice but rather necessity.

[JDAZ11]

I guess maybe that is it. I would never wear them with a cocktail dress or a wrap dress, but with a suit, sure.

Anyway, I think you could certainly do one of the many variations on black - and that's probably you're best bet (black tights hold up better too, and no way you'll want to buy 3 pairs of hose a week!).

Although, because it's required (which is kind if intense. I worked at a firm once that said that in the EE handbook, but it was never enforced), it probably wouldn't be a horrible idea to pick up a pair or two of nude hose just in case....

If you find that it is actually strictly enforced (I hope it isn't!, but obviously you'll want to give that a while before testing), spanx nude tights last forever. They are expensive, but it takes months before they run. (This was a discovery made by my law school study group during 2L interviews. Tested by at least 6 people - very reliable results &#128521.

Maybe also make sure you have some clear nail polish. 😝