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Today I sat outside our office in the sun having my morning coffee. We see many interesting outfits pass our windows, and now that summer is finally rearing its pretty head, more skin is showing, pretty floral dresses are being pulled from wardrobes and peep-toe shoes are back with vengeance.

While taking a sip from my terribly bitter black instant coffee (we are out of soy, it’s Friday, this always happens) a girl across the street caught my eye. Her hair was perfectly tousled, her tan was natural, her spotty beige dress showed off her figure perfectly. Everything was going well for her, until I looked at her feet.

Peep-toe shoes
And
Tights.

This potential goddess had paired dusty pink opaque tights, with strappy blue espadrilles. It just didn’t work, it made me squirm, it made me want to cry a little bit for her. It made me question, is it ever right to wear tights with peep-toe shoes? When I asked this question to our office, the collective answer was;

“Yes, but you need to make it look deliberate. You need to stand tall, be confident and walk with purpose. It also depends how open the toe is.”

So here are the rules;

Team peep-toe shoes with a pair of tights or cute socks that are a very close colour match to your shoes - this will look purposeful, and make your legs appear longer.

Never wear black opaques under white peep-toes - this just looks like you;
A)    Want to cover up the fact you haven’t shaved
B)    Wanted to wear these shoes but had no tights to match
C)    Had no other option except white heels (which would be a worry)

Colour blocking is huge right now, so maybe opt for some bright yellow tights under your black peeps!

If you want to opt for black opaque, make sure they are of a high denier and don’t show your toes through them like sheers would. Black with black is great, or go for a really chunky bright colour.

If the toe is so open that you can see all 5 of your little piggies, stay away from tights.

Just whatever you do, walk tall, be confident, and look like you have purpose.

I was at the airport recently watching people return from their business day trips on the usual seven o’clock Auckland - Wellington flight. Sitting next to a little boy and his mother, the boy turned and asked “mummy, have they all been to a funeral?” She laughed and replied, “no sweetie they have just been at work.”

This little boy had a point. Every one of the returnees was adorned in black; the uniform of Wellington business men and women.

When did this rule come in that we have to wear black everywhere we go? I was taught by my mother that black is always a safe option, because it goes with everything, is flattering and doesn’t show the dirt like colour does.

When I returned home from the airport I looked in my wardrobe; a sea of night hued materials, and one yellow dress that I think I have probably only worn once. Just for a laugh, I decided to put the dress on, and I felt so unusual. This wave of happiness crept over me, all of a sudden I was seeing life through rose tinted glasses and the world seemed a much lovelier place. I walked out of my bedroom into the lounge where my partner looked shocked and asked, “What is going on? Where are you going?” This is when I truly realised that a lot of us, as Wellingtonians, are what I am going to refer to as clothing racists.

But how does one rise to the top of this drowning pool of black? How do we get out of this rut we seem to find ourselves in at the end of winter? How on earth do we wear colour?

Here is some inspiration, I dare, no, I DOUBLE DARE you to try it.