Just Say 'No' to Bright Tights

My mentor in all things fashion was a former fashion executive named Betty. Betty taught me how to be a merchant, how to do visuals and — my favorite part — how to navigate New York City (I still frequent a restaurant she showed me 20+ years ago.)

Betty was also the first middle-aged woman I'd ever met who wore whatever she want. One day she might be in full-blown boho, with floor-sweeping skirts. Another day she might wear a denim jacket with Mickey Mouse on the back. None of this sounds particularly shocking now, but 20 years ago you didn't see many 50-something-year-olds wearing youthful trends.

Although I adored most of her looks, the one thing she wore that I really didn't like — and still don't — was brigthly colored tights like the pink tights Kate Flannery is wearing in the photo.

And even though I applaud this actress' fearless approach to dressing for the red carpet, here are my reasons why I think brightly colored tights don't work over 40:

• Brightly colored tights draw the eye down to the floor, instead of up to your face.
• Bright tights — especially neons — break up a pretty line by being a huge distraction.
• The entire effect of brightly colored tights has a slight playing-in-my-mother's-closet feeling of a kid trying to wear grown-up clothes.
• Brightly colored tights make your legs look huge in comparison to the rest of your body.
• There are so many other legwear options, including patterned tights which can help you show off your funkiness and still look chic.

More Don'ts Over 40:

• Overalls
• Hairstyles You're Too Old to Wear