I had sort of a sad encounter yesterday.

I was at Panera grabbing a bagel and a lady commented on the fact that she liked my tights. I love to wear tights, especially colorful ones. They are the easiest way to create a new outfit or add a pop of color and, frankly, I wear tights and stockings all year round. So, getting a appreciative response is always fun.

I said “Thank you” and went on to say how I had wanted to dress cozy and comfortable that day. It was raining/snowing out and (being still sick) I had dressed pretty simply – black sweater dress, the tights and black patent mary janes. Nothing to crazy or over the top at all.

The tights I was wearing were this pattern:

The lady went on to say how she wished she could wear tights like that and I said “of course you can! I have a ton and wear fun and bright tights all the time!” But she dismissed this saying she was worried she would look like she was trying to look like her teen-aged daughter.

I tried again to assure her she could wear them – heck, she couldn’t have been that much older than me – but she acted as if there was no possibility she could pull it off. This made me so sad.

First of all, I don’t think colorful tights are that crazy or pushing the envelope. I mean, you are just as covered as if you were wearing tan hose or black tights, which most ladies would not bat an eye at. Plus there are all ranges of colors and patterns. I can see how some patterns could be considered too strange but there are people I know who are unsure about wearing solid color tights in any color outside of black, brown or grey.

Is it that colors outside of the “safe” zone are too attention-grabby? Is that a bad thing? Why do you think many women feel they can’t or shouldn’t wear fun colors and resign themselves to blending in versus standing out? Even when they want to?