The stockings with sandals combination is no longer off-limits. During the Spring 2017 collections, designers focused on covering gams with opaque, printed, and sheer hosiery, paired with summer’s shoe staple. At Balenciaga, creative director Demna Gvasalia turned up the volume and explored solid, vivid styles that were coupled with square-toe sandals. Meanwhile, designer Joseph Altuzarra partnered sheer-patterned styles featuring dainty cherry motifs with lacquered open-toe heels. As for Céline, Phoebe Philo showcased black, semi-sheer tights, complete with low-heel mismatched sandals.
The trend certainly demands confidence, requiring most wearers to step out of their comfort zone. While some may argue that the combination defeats the purpose of wearing sandals, stockings grant a certain allure of sophistication, masking imperfections and enhancing shapes. Why deny ourselves the option of wearing both?
One of the reasons the pairing is often resisted is due to the bulging of pantyhose around one’s toes. To execute the trend with finesse, avoid sheer tights with noticeable toe seams, saving the reinforced style for pumps and boots. Instead, opt for lightweight hosiery that won’t bunch through a peep-toe. Meanwhile, experiment with opaque options by pairing them with sandals in the same color family to give the illusion of longer legs. As for shoes, steer clear of gladiator sandals and turn your attention to delicate strappy designs, T-bar options or platform ankle strap versions instead, creating a polished aesthetic.
In the gallery above, shop Vogue Arabia’s edit of stockings and sandals to grasp the trend before it goes mainstream.
