Before I answer, let me preface this with a couple "disclaimers". I've seen some nasty comments on blogs by people who get all pissy that the bloggers are claiming to be experts (even though most of them aren't). I am no fashion expert. I have not gone to fashion school and have no formal training. I can only say what is my opinion and talk about my personal style and if you don't agree, please feel free to leave a comment. I never intend for my answers or styling tips to be the final say whatsoever...In fact, I'd love to hear what some other readers think, so feel free to comment on!
Phew! Ok, that being said...
I've never actually worn stockings. I wear knee-highs nearly every day I wear dress pants to work (unless I'm wearing peep-toes, b/c you just can't really wear hose/knee-highs with peeps IMO). If I wear a dressy skirt to work - a pencil skirt or A-line skirt - I usually wear hose (again, unless I'm wearing peeps). It seems common practice at the bank (a location of pretty formal dressing) for ladies to wear some sort of leg covering under skirts, and by "ladies", I mean well-dressed sophisticates of all ages - recent college graduates to those about to retire. Come to think of it...maybe I should get some stockings - I bet they'd be more comfy that pantyhose!
I'm actually not a fan of hose/knee-highs in general b/c I don't think they're very comfortable, but I find them very appropriate for work and they seem to make the non-peep-toe heels easier to wear. Pretty much the only time I wear hose/knee-highs is to work. If I'm wearing a daytime skirt, I'm probably wearing sandals (from Rainbows to strappy heels), meaning I couldn't really wear hose, even if I wanted to...which I usually don't. Also, when I wear semi-formal to formal dresses - for special events or even dressy-dinner-dates, I don't usually wear hose...just my personal preference and really more of a comfort thing than anything else.
Sooo...to answer your question, no, I don't think stockings are too mature for 27. I just think they need to be worn on the right occasions, which in my book are usually work-related. For daytime or nighttime looks, I prefer to go without. If you do want to wear them to work, which I find 100% appropriate, you're probably not going to wear anything about your knee (at least not too far above your knee) anyways, so a length just above the knee and lower should be just fine - I wouldn't go much higher though...you don't want the stockings to show.
Here are some modern stockings for you working women:
SPANX via Nordstrom.com (photo and item) - 'Her Thighness' Thigh High Stockings
So, shopaholic readers...what do you guys think?
