Looking well put together and stylish is not something that is left only to the jacket, tops, pants, skirts and dresses you wear; your look lies heavily on accessories. Stockings are one accessory that have the power to make your legs look fantastic simply by the color you choose and how you choose to wear them. Of course, if choosing the correct stocking for your outfit has the power to make you look great; the opposite can be said about poorly chosen stockings. The question is how to choose stockings that will make your legs look their absolute best.

1.Skirts that fall at the knee or an inch above the knee look best in sheer stockings. Do not wear opaque stockings with this length skirt; it will make you look frumpy. Be careful of wearing short skirts (4 inches above the knee) with nude stockings unless you are still in your 20s or have great legs,

2.Thick, patterned, plaid, floral stockings are best used for artistic, funky looks. If you would like to bring a patterned stocking into your classic wardrobe the best way to do this is to wear them under pants, choosing a small print

3. When wearing short-sleeved and sleeveless tops or light sheer fabrics choose a nude/skin tone hose. Match the color of the hose as closely to the color of your skin as possible. Anything different than that will have an unnatural appearance.

4. Opaque stockings look best worn with long and short skirts during fall and winter. Off-white or bone stockings will make your legs appear larger and are not usually a good choice.

5. Sandals or open shoes do not look great with opaque stockings.

These are just a few points to keep in mind when choosing your stockings. Another tip is to always keep an extra pair with you in case you get a snag or run. This is especially true if you are attending an important event or are being interviewed.

2005 Sheila Dicks