The Foolproof Guide to Wearing Fall Tights (The Right Way) in Your Twenties

They're everywhere. From thin black silks to thick orange knits, the styles, colors, and textures of fall's must have item make them a bit of a tricky trend to decipher. Being in your twenties makes the code even harder to break, as finding the perfect balance between youth and sophistication is at the backbone of any twenty-something's wardrobe. However, once the leaves begin to fall, your mother is pairing navy blue tights with her business attire and your niece is wearing knit purple leggings with her Sunday school dress. The message is confusing. Take heart, young fashionistas. Below is the foolproof guide to wearing fall tights the right way in your twenties.

Wearing Fall Tights in Your Twenties Rule #1: Pair tights with short dresses only. The fun part about wearing tights is that they give a little coverage (and much needed warmth) without forcing us to give up those flirty summer dresses altogether. There's a sexy element to showing your legs without really showing them, and all the intrigue is lost on tights paired with longer lengths. Not only is the allure lost, but that dreaded prudish look is the result (think about your grandmother pairing pantyhose with day dresses....same effect). Keep hemlines a few inches above the knee, and don't worry about imperfections. That's what the extra coverage is for.

Wearing Fall Tights in Your Twenties Rule #2: Go colorblind. Forget your inhibitions and embrace your youth when it comes to color choices concerning fall tights. Hot hues right now include electric blue, mustard yellow, emerald green, heather gray, and of course the absolutely everywhere shade, purple. The key is making sure that the overall outfit is in demure, understated tones so as to eliminate the risk of giving off an immature vibe.

Wearing Fall Tights in Your Twenties Rule #3: Closed toed shoe rule still applies....kind of. While you can pair tights with strappy sandals and get away with it, doing so hasn't yet caught on quite as well as wearing them with sexy pumps. If you must have free feet, try a peep toe style.

Wearing Fall Tights in Your Twenties Rule #4: Stick to daywear only. That's right, tights provide too much coverage for nightwear. Keep hues subdued for the office (blacks, grays, and deep olive greens) and go wild on shopping trips or on afternoons at your favorite café (blues, yellows, reds, etc), but bare it all for formal events and parties.

Wearing Fall Tights in Your Twenties Rule #5: Boots look best on casual days. Whether they're "slash front" or knee high, boots paired with skin tight hosiery are the most popular look for fall. Even better.....find a pair with just a bit of room at the top to make legs appear instantly slimmer.

Wearing Fall Tights in Your Twenties Rule #6: T-straps look best on dressier days. Ok, so we've covered the fact that you're not wearing your purple tights to the Inauguration Ball, but sometimes the event calls for something a little less casual. For date nights, museums, etc., choose a t-strap heel to give your fun tights a formal pop of sophistication around the ankles that can be seen from across the room.

Wearing Fall Tights in Your Twenties Rule #7: Go thin. Come December, we'll start seeing cascades of thick, knit tights on the shelves of our favorite boutiques, but until then, opt for thin fabrics. Fall temperatures make wearing knits and yarn a bit too much, so keep it light.

Remember, the point of wearing tights for fall as a twenty-something is showcasing youth without completely forgoing maturity. Adding just the right elements of fun and sexiness make this hot fall look come together for the 20-29 year old, every single time.