How to Style Pantyhose and Colorful Open Toe Shoes

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Open toe shoes are the best excuse to play with color: a bright sandal against a colored tight, or a pale peep toe with a sheer nude leg, looks far more interesting than black on black. The trick is picking the right tights, since the toe shows, and then choosing a shoe color that either matches the tights on purpose or contrasts with them. Here are eight outfits with pink, cream, white, red, nude and black tights, and yellow, turquoise, magenta, silver, pale blue, white and brown open toe shoes.

Choosing Pantyhose for Open Toe Shoes

Regular tights have a reinforced toe that shows clearly in an open toe shoe. Two types of pantyhose are made to avoid that: sandalfoot (also called sheer toe) styles, where the toe is finished to be nearly invisible, and toeless styles that end just before the toes. Sheer and nude pantyhose look best with fully open sandals, while opaque colored tights work well with peep toes and platform sandals, where the colored toe becomes part of the look.

If you are choosing a weight, our guide to pantyhose denier values explains what each number means. For more color ideas, see yellow tights, bright red tights and sheer black tights.

Pair Pink Tights with Yellow Sandals

Pink and yellow is a playful, high-energy combination, and yellow bow sandals against a pink tight are the whole outfit. Denim shorts and a graphic tee keep it relaxed, so the shoes and tights are clearly the feature.

Woman in pink tights with yellow bow platform sandals and denim shorts, with a graphic tee on rocky steps — Pink tights with yellow bow platform sandals

Layer Frilly Socks Under Pale Blue Sandals

Cream tights with pale blue platform sandals and matching frilly socks is a sweet, unusual take on open toe shoes: the socks peek out at the toe, so the pale blue repeats from the shoe to the ankle. A floral dress and a fuzzy peach jacket keep the outfit soft and romantic.

Woman in cream tights with pale blue platform sandals and frilly socks, wearing a floral dress and peach jacket — Cream tights with pale blue platform sandals and frilly socks

Match Turquoise Shoes to a Dress with Nude Pantyhose

Sheer nude pantyhose disappear, which leaves the turquoise peep toes to match the dress. It is a bright, polished look and shows how nude tights let a colored shoe take center stage.

Woman in nude pantyhose with turquoise peep toe platform heels and a turquoise dress with yellow trim — Nude pantyhose with turquoise peep toe platform heels

Wear White Lace Tights with Magenta Platforms

Delicate white lace tights and chunky magenta platform sandals are a sweet and slightly edgy mix. A dusty pink dress keeps the palette in the same soft family as the shoes.

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Woman in white lace tights with magenta glitter platform sandals and a dusty pink dress, sitting on a stone wall — White lace tights with magenta glitter platform sandals

Try White Ribbed Tights with Glitter Platforms

Thick white ribbed tights bring warmth to a sandal look, and silver glitter platforms give it some sparkle. A teal dress and a fluffy vest turn it into a winter outfit that still shows a little foot.

Woman in white ribbed tights with silver glitter platform sandals and a teal dress, with a cream faux fur vest — White ribbed tights with silver glitter platform sandals

Let Magenta Peep Toes Stand Out on Black Tights

Black opaque tights are the easiest base for a colored shoe. Magenta peep toes and a matching bag pop against a mint top and a floral skirt, and the tights keep everything grounded.

Woman in black tights with magenta peep toe pumps and a floral skirt, with a mint cardigan and pink bag — Black tights with magenta peep toe pumps

Go Casual with White Platform Sandals and Shorts

Chunky white platform sandals, cut-off denim shorts and dark sheer tights is an unexpected, streetwear take on open toe shoes. A floral jacket adds color without needing a colored tight.

Woman in dark sheer tights with white platform sandals and denim cut-off shorts, with a floral bomber jacket — Dark sheer tights with white platform sandals

Mix Bright Red Tights with Brown Platform Sandals

Warm brown studded platform sandals and bright red tights work because both are warm tones, so the shoe looks like part of the tight. A black lace top and a knit beanie keep the rest of the outfit quiet.

Building Your Own Look

Start with the tights: a sheer toe or toeless pair for real open toe shoes, and opaque colored tights with peep toes and platforms. Then decide whether the shoes match the tights or contrast with them, and keep the rest of the outfit simple. A neutral or one repeated accent color is enough.

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