Have I ever divulged how obsessed I am with hosiery? When it comes to stockings I am smitten with a capital “S.” I love them. And really, girls, how could I not when they’ve been so very good to me? They allow me to keep wearing my favorite skirts and dresses during the winter by keeping my legs warm; they give my dressy outfits that extra bit of glam; and on those days when I’m feeling particularly adventurous they add just a bit of playfulness and personality to my outfits. Selecting the right pair, choosing the right outfit to wear them with, and caring for them properly is not always easy, though, so I thought I might share a few of the things I’ve learned over the years…

• Before buying hosiery, think about how often you are planning to wear it. If you don’t expect to wear it often, go for the cheaper brands. They may not last as long but they usually look perfectly nice. On the other hand, if you hope to get a lot of use out of it, consider investing in a slightly more expensive pair.

• Stay away from 100% nylon stockings. Nylon has no give. If a pair of tights is completely nylon, you can very easily damage them by tugging too hard when putting it on or stretching it too much while wearing. If you find yourself going through stockings too quickly, seek out pair with a higher lycra, elastane or spandex count.

• Another common reason that hosiery gets damaged is because the wearer has bought the wrong size. Even when hosiery is adequately stretchy, wearing tights just one size too small means the fabric is more susceptible to wear and tear as it is being stretched farther than it was meant to go. Always take a look at the size guide before buying as they do vary between brands.

• If you have skinny legs and would like to add a little volume or accentuate your curves consider wearing tights with prints or texture. (I love these.)

• On the other hand, if your goal is to trim the look of your legs, choose opaque tights in darker colors. (DKNY makes a fantastic pair that comes in multiple colors. The control top is an added bonus!)

• If you want to elongate the look of your legs, select tights with vertical stripes or ribbing. (These are my personal favorite.)

• You can also consider matching your hosiery to your shoes. This, too, will create a lengthening effect in your legs, rather than an abrupt stop where the hosiery (say, nude) meets the shoe (black). For overall lengthening and slimming, you can match your skirt or dress to the hosiery color and shoe color, as well.

• Pair brightly colored tights with more neutral colors (for example: denim, black, brown or gray skirts and dresses). Opting for a neutral color as your main article of clothing allows you to show off your brightly-colored legs without overwhelming the whole outfit.

• The sheerer the hose, the dressier the look. Choose semi-sheer for day, sheer for evening.

• For thick opaques, wool and ribbed tights, chunky heeled shoes and boots look best.

• When your skirt or dress is made of a light material choose the sheerest of hosiery. Save your heavier tights for your outfits made out of heavier material.

• Wool, ribbed and cashmere tights often a surprising amount of warmth throughout the winter months. I use them all the time to get more use out of my wardrobe.

• Unless you are a bride or a nurse, stay away from white. Trust me–it’s no good for you.

• Nothing is more effective at stopping a snag from running than simple clear nail polish. Never leave the house in sheer stockings without it. It has saved me too many times to count.

• Hand washing your hosiery is non-negotiable. Even if you toss them into one of those mesh bags and choose the “hand wash” option on your washing machine, you still run the risk of damaging them. Wash them in a sink with your hands. You can use Woolite, but I recommend Forever New. I’ve tried both and I can’t explain it but Forever New really does treat my hosiery better than Woolite does.

• When you’re done hand washing your stockings, gently squeeze them. (Whatever you do, do not wring them.) If you can, lay them flat somewhere to dry. Otherwise drape them over a towel on a chair.

• Store your hosiery separate from everything else. I use a simple drawstring bag. Hosiery won’t damage other hosiery but other clothes can do a number on your stockings if you’re not careful. Like any other delicate object, they need to be kept aside and treated with care.

What about you? Do you have a favorite hosiery tip or two to share with us?

Kisses!