It's a look that is hard to pull off without some planning. It works best with peep-toed shoes, platforms, and hosiery that is patterned or a contrasting color.

Stockings totally keep you warm!

Hose expert here!
I have to wear hose with all shoes that are not sandals because I can't stand the feel of sticky feet in pumps. Cannot. stand.

By open-toe you mean peep-toe, right? If there is much more open than just the front of the shoe, then no hose.

For peep toe, you can get "sandal toe" where there just one seam that you can put right under the front of your foot. Tights are usually built this way too (tights are a heavier, edgier look, but will keep you warm if done right).

Toeless stockings are another choice. My second choice.

Bare legs or closed toes. Either are fine.

I’m no fashionista, but what I learned when I was younger (I’m currently 53) is that hosiery was required when dressing up and that if you wore open-toed shoes, you wore sandalfoot hose to avoid a visible toe seam. To me, going bare-legged with a cocktail dress is bizarre, especially in the colder months.

That being said, pantyhose never struck me as providing any protection from the cold. If you’re concerned about the cold, I’d recommend heavy tights, but then I think you would need close-toed shoes.

I say no stockings with open toe shoes.

what if she wants to wear black stockings?

Just get toeless stockings

Anonymous wrote:How hard is it to wear closed-toed shoes?

I have a pair of expensive dressy open-toed shoes that go great with what I am wearing. My closed-toe shoes dress shoes are just the wrong style, and I would prefer not to buy another pair of shoes if I don't have to.

-OP

How hard is it to wear closed-toed shoes?

When I was younger, it was a no-no. You never wore stockings or hose with open-toed shoes. It seems to be "in" now. Is it really? Are there any "rules" to the types of stockings the types of shoes?

I have an event coming up where I will be wearing a cocktail dress and frankly I don't want to freeze, so if people (meaning adults, not 20-year olds) really do it, I'd be pretty happy.