The fall weather has finally settled in, and your cold-weather wardrobe is ready to go. Or maybe not. Part of me feels that when we change the clocks, I also have to put away all of my dresses in preparation for the cold winter months ahead. When wearing skirts and dresses for fall and winter, staying warm and having enough leg coverage can be a hassle. Hands-down, I hate pantyhose and haven’t worn them in years, even though I think I still have a L’eggs in my desk drawer at work in case of emergencies.

Of course, there are always tights. When it comes to tights, the styling can be tricky trying to decide what shoe goes best or what hemlines to wear, or am I too old for polka-dots? Here’s a rundown of some basic guidelines for tights this upcoming season.

A common misstep with tights is getting the proportions wrong. An easy rule of thumb: Show your legs! If your outfit only reveals a couple of inches of leg, it may be a bit awkward to wear tights. For example, instead of wearing tights with midi skirts, style them with knee-high socks and boots that provide you the coverage you need, without the extra bulk. Tights are better worn with shorter hemlines. So, wear tights with miniskirts and knee-high boots, or knee-length shirtdresses and loafers, or cocktail dresses and pointy-toe pumps.

Usually, when you think of tights, you think thick black opaque hose for work or more casual outfits. But don’t forget that tights can also work for a night out. Instead of the standard knit tight, opt for a semi-sheer patterned pair and your best LBD (little black dress) for your next date night or upcoming party.

Another tights trap to watch out for is thinking black tights are your only option. Yes, black tights are a classic, but you can still have fun with colorful tights. If you’re not feeling bold enough to have bright neon legs, try tights in more subdued tones, like brown, navy, and burgundy. There are, of course, patterned tights, the aforementioned polka dots, plaids, and stripes. Depending on your aesthetic, the trick for prints is that the bolder the pattern, the more costumey you can come across. Orange and black horizontal stripes read witch, while plaid tights can come off juvenile. So, while I’m far from dismissing patterned hose, I would suggest proceeding with printed caution.

If you decide to rock a black pair of tights, don’t feel like you also need to wear black shoes. Sure, creating a long, lean line by matching your tight color to your shoes can be flattering. But try playing against the styling standard with contrasting shoe color. Pair off-white booties with black fleeced-lined tight. Wear a gold pump with sheer black hose. For a casual look, match up black tights with a colorblock sneaker.

In general, I find it’s good to have a few pairs of standard black tights in addition to a navy pair, a brown, a burgundy, and a red. These cover my bases, as I’ll have several go-to black pairs, additional tights in standard neutrals, and one standout tight. As the holidays approach, you may also want to pick up a sheer black tight with a bit of sheen or sparkles, or a sheer tight with texture, in addition to a standard transparent dark tight. For fun, you can also pick up a few printed pairs, whether in the traditional patterns or a novelty print.

Hanes has a variety of black tights, several pairs that come with a control panel. If you’re looking to invest in a quality pair of tights, check out Sheertex and their 30-day no rip, snag, or tear guarantee. For a thick opaque tight, try HUE on Amazon; they have a cable-sweater tight that looks quite cozy. Other stores to browse on Amazon are Spanx and Danskin for durable everyday tights. Hopefully, as the season turns toward winter, your skirts and dresses won’t be relegated to the back of the closet with these tight tips and tricks!