I love knickers! If I know that it's going to stay below about 65 or so all day, they're perfect. Knee warmers are super versatile, but they sometime pinch me a little at the upper thigh. Knickers avoid this problem, but without the warmth of tights.

For me, the knickers are in rotation when it's 45-65. I have a pair of midweight knickers that do really well at the lower end of that range. Below 45, I'm looking for my midweight tights. Below freezing, the windproof tights come out to play.

Another vote here for unpadded tights...cheaper overall and I can use them for running, skiing, etc., as well.