Q: I will be attending a wine tasting benefit with over 1,500 other guests. When wearing a simple above-the-knee black dress, few embellishments and black heels, what is the proper shade of hose? I have toyed with slightly black or nude. Or does it make a difference?

PS: This is my first outing in four years and I would really like to look great!

A: Fashion Axiom #1: Everything always makes a difference. Fashion Axiom #2: The difference it makes depends entirely on the specifics: i.e., how it looks in the mirror.

In this case, you'll get one effect with sheer nude hosiery, a slightly different effect with sheer black, off-black, or gray, another with sheer patterned hose -- say fishnets or chevrons or herringbones or dots or lace in black -- and still another with opaques.

You can expect that darker hose will make your legs look slimmer and, by unifying the elements of shoes/hose/dress, make you look longer and narrower. Nude hose will emphasize the shortness of a short skirt. Since everything else you're wearing is plain unembellished black, I'd lean toward something that adds a little spark and texture.

Wolford has a great semi-opaque with an overall floral pattern that, in black, might add just enough variety to keep you from looking funereal. Or you could wear black fishnets over opaques in a color. Basically, you have to look in the mirror and decide which look you like better.

Patricia McLaughlin is a nationally syndicated fashion columnist.
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