I read recently...

...that “only whores wear red shoes.” I couldn't help but laugh when I heard this, mostly because I looked at my shoe rack where I have three pairs of red shoes, plus the pair that I borrowed from a friend and don't plan on giving back anytime in the near future. So apparently, I am very whore-y.
In addition to being whore-y, I am also craving fall fashion (that transition didn't quite work, but let's go with it.) I am extremely excited for one thing in particular: tights. Tights are a fantastic instrument in the never-ending battle of proper accessorizing (because they are an accessory, and should never be worn as if they were pants. Never ever).
One of the best ways to utilize tights is to use them to add color to your outfit. You know how you will use shoes or a purse or a sliver of a camisole peeking out of a shirt for just a little pop of color? This is what tights were made for, it is their sole purpose in their short life: to add some color to your neutral-dominated wardrobe. One of my favorite ensembles I have ever worn was a black sweater with a gray felt mini, bright pink tights and slate-gray flats. It was fabulous, and I cannot wait to resurrect it when the weather permits it.
I understand that that particular use of tights might be a little intense for some. So if you are timid, try pairing neutral colored tights with knee-high boots and a skirt/dress that hits just above your knee. By “neutral colored tights” I mean black, brown, or navy. Never ever should your tights be white, unless you are six. There will be just a couple of inches of your tights showing, and it will look fabulous. Since your tights are neutral, your dress or skirt should have more color in it. A red dress with brown tights and caramel boots is my suggestion. If you are more adventurous, try the same boot-dress/skirt combo with colored tights. The dress here should be neutral, and the tights can be a dark-ish color or a bright. You can also pair tights with a mini and flats, or my other fall obsession, flat-knee high boots.
I'm so aflutter about wearing tights, I've even put together some new outfits just so I can buy some more pairs. I purchased this sun-dress a couple of weeks ago. I am possibly more excited to transition it into fall than I was to wear it in the sun. It is floral, but the colors are a deep teal, orange, brown and a golden-yellow. AKA, THE COLORS OF FALL! I plan to pair that baby with my mocs (that just happen to have a turquoise medallion on the toe), a white long sleeved tee underneath, and some brown nubby* tights. I might even try a deep teal or golden-yellow to play up the colors of the dress.
With all this talk about tights, we better go over the rules:
--Tights should be opaque. They are not nylons, they are tights.
--Tights are a little adventurous, so there should be at least some neutral element to your outfit.
--Remember, tights should be a color or a neutral. No white or any color that would be prefixed by “light”. As in “light pink” or “light green”. Unless you are some genius six year old using the computer, you can't pull it off. Don't feel badly, no one can.
--Please, for the love of all that is good and holy, please do not wear printed tights. They make your legs look like you have a skin disease. A fungus even.

If you keep these rules in mind, tights will never steer you wrong. Now go buy some!

*By nubby, I mean knit; a little thicker than your average pair of tights, but by no means something your grand-ma could make you.