by Marlin Bressi

Created on: April 26, 2009

There used to be a time when people were concerned about good taste. They avoided fashion faux pas and tried to adhere to certain standards so that they would not look ridiculous or out of place. Unfortunately, that day has long passed. We now live in a world where it is deemed perfectly accessible to wear white after Labor Day, where it is okay to wear vertical and horizontal stripes in the same outfit, and to wear stockings with open-toed shoes.

Maybe I'm just a fashion fossil; a leftover remnant from a bygone era where people practiced good taste. While many women think that there is nothing wrong with wearing stockings with open-toed shoes, I view it as one of the worst fashion offenses a woman can commit. But then again, you see lots of women walking around these days with visible pantylines and their bra straps showing.

Personally, I see no good reason why a woman would opt for this look. But then again, alot of people threw good taste and common sense out of the window when they started wearing socks with sandals. It is essentially the same thing. However, those who attempt this look may face ridicule and consternation from fashion traditionalists like me.

I think there is a simple remedy for women who want to wear stockings and open-toed shoes at the same time. Simply wear tights or leggings instead. Not only will this look much neater, but with the many different colors and styles of tights available these days, you have alot more options than just plain old stockings. And who wears stockings these days anyway? Unless you're a grandmother on your way to the bingo hall, skip the stockings.

Furthermore, there are alot of people out there wearing open-toed shoes who have no business wearing open-toed shoes. There once was a time when pedicures were a luxury reserved only for the rich and well-to-do, but that time has long since passed. A basic pedicure can be had for under twenty dollars in most cities, so if you are planning on wearing open-toed shoes, do the world a favor and get those eagle talons you call toenails trimmed, filed, and polished.

When I see a woman wearing stockings with open-toed shoes, my first thought is that she must have some kind of nasty toenail fungus or calves covered with varicose veins. Wearing stockings when it is not appropriate to wear stockings always makes it look as though you have some dirty little secret to hide. So if you must wear stockings, wear them with sensible shoes. And if you must wear open-toed shoes, make sure that your toes are showing. After all, that is the whole point of open-toed shoes in the first place.

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