It’s that time of the year when braving bare legs is a no-no. While we layer up in cosy knits and this season’s key coat styles it’s time to embrace trusty tights once again.

Love them or hate them, they become an essential if you want to still wear dresses and skirts for autumn/winter and not have to only wear trousers for the foreseeable. Although you can of course throw them on with any outfit, it becomes apparent to all of us at some point that there are just some looks that they don’t seem to work with.

Although there aren’t specific rules as such on how to style them, the Stylist fashion team has decided on three particular dress styles that tights will always go well will.

There are also some handy tips to think about when you dust off your tights collection:

1. Add them to looser, baggier-style dresses and you’ll manage to avoid the way tights can tend to statically stick to your legs – never ideal.

2. When you add tights to a shorter dress it’s best to go for thinner (preferably 20 denier or less) or a delicate printed pair – just like Katie Holmes – to bring the look straight into 2019 territory.

3. If you’re going to try out coloured pairs – à la Max Mara for autumn/winter – then go for a muted autumn tone such as burgundy, navy or grey that match with the tone of your dress.

4. Style tights with dresses that suit the current season. If you add them to a strappy, linen, summer dress they are bound to look odd.

5. Leave nude tights firmly with those aged 80 plus!

Now you’ve got some tips, continue to find out the 3 key dress styles that work with tights this season.

Wearing tights with dresses can be tricky – these are the 3 styles to rely on