Sheer Black vs Sheer Nude

It’s been a busy two weeks, and with the holidays here and NYE around the corner, I have been getting quite a few e-mails about holiday dressing. I love this one from you, Angela. It is definitely apropos for the Holiday Season.

It’s only been about three months since Angela and I went on a shopping spree so she’s definitely ready to step out in style. Here’s Angela’s question.

Hey Michelle,

This may be a silly question, but I’ll ask anyway, as I just don’t know. 

For a long time, it seemed black nylons were not in style. Recently, I’ve seen some with cocktail dresses, but still see more natural leg/nude looks. What are your thoughts?

I’m planning to wear my new dress on the 5th to Doug’s holiday party…

Thanks so much!

Angela

Angela, Please, you know I don’t think any fashion question is a silly one! 🙂 And this one is an excellent inquiry! I’m certain this question was on more than a few minds who will be stepping out this holiday season. So let’s get to it.

The bare-legged look has been in style and popular for some time now. However, the stocking look has made a big comeback. What color of stockings you wear really depends on what you want to achieve with the total look and what part of your outfit you want the focus to be on. Both black and nude sheer hosiery are in style. Especially the latter more recently since Kate Middleton has been rocking the nude stocking, and bringing this look back “in style!”

Angela is 5’8″ so she is pretty tall (Well…at least compared to me! I’m 5’2″.) The dress that Angela is referring to in her e-mail to me, is black. So, if she wanted to appear even taller and….

Those of you who also want to appear taller can accomplish that look by wearing opaque to sheer black stockings and black heels so that the line of black continues from head to toe. The result is the creation of a longer leaner look. As I have mentioned before in my past newsletters, pointed toe shoes, also give the illusion of appearing taller. So if you have the time and you want to add a bit more height to your look, check out some of the excellent choices of pointed toe shoes at your favorite shoe or department store.

Now, for those of you who do not wish to appear taller. If you are tall and want to break up your height, the more color breaks you have the shorter you will visually appear.

For instance using the example of wearing a LBD (Little Black Dress) and black heels, you could go bare-legged if you feel comfortable this way, or wear very sheer nude stockings and black heels. You would be creating two color breaks: black dress breaks to nude legs, and nude legs break to black shoes.

If you have a pair of killer black heels and want them to be a focal point, along with your black dress, and are not concerned about creating any color breaks, I would also suggest going bare-legged or wearing sheer nude hose as opposed to opaque or sheer black hose, as your LBD and black heels would stand out more from the contrast against a nude leg.

If you want your dress or skirt to stand alone and not blend into your black stockings and shoes, I would also advise going bare-legged or wearing sheer nude hose. Make sense?

You can also just break your height by one color break, and make your legs look longer by going bare-legged or wearing sheer nude stockings with nude pointed toe heels. The nude shoe will blend into your bare-legs or sheer nude stockinged legs, and the focus will then be mainly on the dress. This is a very “in style” look as well.

I feel natural bare legs are sexy but some women don’t feel comfortable without hose for a variety of reasons. However, what I like about sheer nude hose is that they can be very sexy, because they can give the illusion that you are bare-legged. That is as long as they are worn correctly.

These are my tips for wearing sheer nude hose so that you look fashionable and not dowdy:

1. Wear sheer nude stockings that are a light denier, or weight, buying a sheer nude color that matches your skin tone.
2. Stay away from hose that has a meshy look, is too shiny, or is in a strange unnatural color.
3. Sheer nude hose look best with a closed pump (No sandals!) or peep-toe (look for a seamless nude toe)
4. Try Hanes “Absolutely Ultra Sheer” or “Silk Reflections” or Nordstrom brand “Ultra Sheer.”

Sheer nude hose are classy, and can create a polished look. Think of it like make-up for your legs, as they can even out your skin tone giving your legs a flawless look.

Angela, you were so thoughtful. Thanks for including the dress you had in mind. Because I picked out that dress for Angela during her shopping spree, I am very familiar with the details of it. I proposed that she keep the look simple and classy, playing off of her wonderful personality. To do this, I recommended that she wear sheer nude hose or go bare-legged, to give her LBD center stage.

Angela is tall, but she still likes to rock a tall pair of heels. So, although going bare-legged or donning sheer nude stockings with her LBD and black heels, would give her two color breaks, because of her height and her heels, she can afford this.

Angela’s dress also features silver highlights on the side panels of her dress. If she didn’t want to wear simple black heels she could create a secondary focal point in her outfit by wearing silver heels, or black heels that had a silver sparkle to them, which would be pretty and festive for the holidays.  She could even choose to wear a silver metallic sandal if she wanted even more Bling.

However, Angela, if you choose the latter option, bare legs are always best to wear with sandals that are very open and strappy. The next best would be sheer black. Remember pt3 above. 

The bottom line is, all of you want to feel amazing in your outfits. If you feel uncomfortable going bare-legged try a sheer nude stocking. If you don’t feel comfortable in this look or it reminds you of your grandmother for whatever reason, you are not going to feel confident, so don’t do it. Opt for a sheer black stocking instead.

Thanks to Kate Middleton, wearing sheer nude stockings has become chic again, but for some of you it may take some getting used to. You want to feel confident in the choices that you make. Trends will come and go but what always looks best is a woman who feels confident in the way she dresses – that feeling assures you that you are always “in style.”

To complete Angela’s holiday look, I suggested she add a pop of color or a bit of Bling by wearing a bold statement necklace that compliments her dress. Necklaces are a wonderful accessory to frame the face so don’t forget to add some fun Bling to make your holiday outfit even more spectacular!

Feel free to contact me again, Angela, should you have any additional concerns.

Speaking of Bling, if you really want to make an impact, wear an eye-enhancing necklace to keep your viewers captivated. A Keren Creations necklace always does the trick! If you don’t own a Keren, treat yourself to something super special. When you wear a bold statement necklace that compliments your eyes, not only will all the eyes be on you, your dazzling eyes will be in theirs too. 

I own quite a few and I love every single one! In fact, it is a rare day that I am not wearing a Keren Creation, that is how special I find her unique jewelry.

Contact me if you are interested in adding some beautiful Bling to enhance your outfits, and I’ll set you up.

Before I end I want to share a little tidbit that I received from another client, Jennifer, who is currently residing and working overseas. Jennifer has a favorite fabric store that also carries some wonderful trims and buttons. If you were inspired from my last write, to bring out your inner designer, this might be the little gem of a store you are looking for. If you find something that you love, please share it with us!

Hi Michelle,

 

All’s well here in Basel, and I retrieved my blouse in CA — thank you for saving that!

 

I wanted to add a store to your list for trims, buttons, and fabulous fabric in general if you haven’t already found it — Satin Moon on Clement St. in SF.  I’ve been going there since I was a kid, and I still go back just for the fun of seeing what they have. It is tiny but packed with some of the most beautiful textiles around.

 

Best,

Jennifer

Thanks, Jennifer, for the wonderful reminder! I used to visit Satin Moon years ago and absolutely loved their unique choices of fabrics and trims. I haven’t been there in a while, but now that you have reminded me of the delights I used to love finding there, I’m looking forward to revisiting it!

That’s it for this week.

I wish you all a very Happy Holiday and a fun and safe New Years Eve!  Thank you so much for being here with me. I am so looking forward to continuing to connect with you in the coming year. I have lots to share that I am super excited about. See you then!

Now, it’s your turn. I’d love to hear from you.  Your insights and inspiration are appreciated so please share your stories in the comments below.

Blog me.

Love,

~Michelle