I've taken to wearing tights/pants even when it's not that cold (depending on the season I would just wear shorts from 40s-60s) just so I don't have to scrape the layer of road grit off when I get in. In the summer when it's not so pervasively wet that's not such a problem, fortunately.

We're getting to an awkward time of year for me. Though I'm sure to most of the public bike shorts are just as geeky as cycling tights, I feel less geeky wearing shorts. I shower when I get to work, so I don't mind if my legs collect a little grit.

For the winter I wear some Craft XC tights over regular cycling tights and I like the way those look. There's some reflective piping and a small Craft logo so it's not just solid black. Soon it will be too warm for that combination though.

I look forward to when I can just wear shorts.

I don't have proper cycling tights per se, just a pair of base layer tights that I wear under a pair of atheltic shorts. I ditch the tights as soon as I can. This time of year, that means if it's 32-35º F or warmer, they stay home or get stuffed in my panniers, and I wear only shorts. That being said, I probably have much less of a problem w/ road grit than you do; the precipitation which helps to make the grit stick is less frequent here than in the PNW for sure. On days when I do get road grit, I'm likely to be taking a shower at work anyway, and I always shower first thing when I get home (wife's edict), so a little grit doesn't bother me.

I wear somewhat tight fitting jogging pants over my shorts. I found some at Target that are tight around the ankles - they even have a zipper at the ankles to make them easier to get on and off. Pants on the way to work, shorts on the way back.

I have a pair of heavy weight Bellwether cycling pants that I found at a yard sale a while back for 50c (!!!!). They are a little big for me but they are very warm. For 50c I'll make them work. In the coldest weather I wear a base layer underneath them. Today was the warmest morning yet 40F, so I left the Bellwethers home and rode with a base layer and Hind running tights.

My SO also has a pair of these same Bellwether tights. His are in better condition than mine and fit him well. He got them at a gear swap for $2. He loves them.

Just did a web search to see if these tights are still out there - they are, and cost ~$70!

I have a pair of these, too. I don't wear 'em on the bike, but they're my go-to pair for running and schlepping 'round the house on cool days.

I have a couple of pair of these. They work great during our "harsh" SoCal winters.

Just got some non Cotton Sweat pants, a compound knit jersey..
fuzzy poly and smooth nylon on the different sides of the the fabric.
looser than the 'cool weather' tights Patagonia made..

An old pair of sweats are great for throwing over anything, especially jeans. Keep me warm, easy to take off and wash quickly. In wet weather I wear columbia or REI rain pants over whatever so I can keep the underneath dry and clean. Bottom half does not get as sweaty as the upper.

Polyester running pants from Target. Look like loose cycling tights. A little road grime adds to the patina.

Although wearing shorts is okay too. A little road grime hides the scars.

Novara rain/wind pants. $45.00, adjustable velcro leg openings, drawstring waist, taper cut at the calf so they don't get hung up in the drivetrain. They're my favourites, especially since I found the Showers Pass convertibles to be tight in the quads, even for a 2XL.

I use leg or knee warmers most of the year in the morning, and then usually just cycling shorts on the way home when it gets warmer out. The thing I like about leg/knee warmers is their portability and ease of on/off if you get warm. In the NW, rarely do you need any more than this.