# Ladies! Nylons and open-toe shoes? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 6, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742 "2005-05-06T20:47:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/1 "2005-05-06T20:47:58Z")
So I have a dress-up date tonight. I want to wear a fancy dress and I have these cute little shoes to go with it. The problem (or maybe not): I need to wear stockings with them. My legs are pale as a winter ass, and I recently moved so I have scratches and bruises all over. So. Is it OK to wear open-toe shoes if you’re also wearing nylons? The nylons are sheer, nude, sheer toe, etc. I see other women do this all the time, but I thought it was verboten. Your vote? ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/2 "2005-05-06T20:54:25Z")
I’m sorry, you simply cannot wear stockings and open-toed shoes! It is one of the worst fashion faux pas I can think of. Others may disagree…but they will be wrong! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/3 "2005-05-06T20:55:38Z")
Short answer: No. Long answer: women wearing open toed shoes with stockings that stick out the front is one of my biggest pet peeves. Unless I am completely confused about what you are talking about here, that little seam on the toe of your nylons shouldn’t see the light of day. Yet, I do believe they sell nylons with the toes cut out just for this purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Campion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/4 "2005-05-06T20:58:44Z")
Your vote is the only one that counts. But since you asked for mine – no, no, no, no, no, a gazillion times no. Closed toe shoes are fine with stockings, but open toes shoes require no hose. I recommend [this stuff](http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=72930&catid=9715&brand=7519&trx=PLST-0-BRAND&trxp1=9715&trxp2=72930&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-BRAND&cmbProdBrandFilter=7519); it’s a foam that will give your legs a faint touch of color (use light or medium, not dark), and that will in turn help hide the scratches/bruises. Other options are dress pants with sandals, or closed toe shoes. But that’s it. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/5 "2005-05-06T20:59:19Z")
No hose. Sally Hansen makes a spray on hose product (hard to believe, but true) that will do the job. It literally sprays right on and looks like you have perfect, even tanned skin. It doens’t rub off on your clothing, and washes off with soap and water. You should be able to get it at a drug store for about $10. And make sure your feet are presentable if you’re going to be showing them off. 🙂 (You probably know this, but I just needed to reiterate). ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/6 "2005-05-06T21:06:43Z")
I understand the need for stockings (I have the palest, most easily bruised legs on the planet), but you can’t do it with open-toed shoes. There’s a woman I work with who wears stockings with sandals every day, and I want to smack her around every time I see it. Well, in all honesty, I want to smack her around because she deserves it, but the shoe thing, too. On the other hand … odds are your _date_ doesn’t know it’s taboo! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/7 "2005-05-06T21:11:13Z")
Here’s a link: > **[Walgreens: Pharmacy, Health & Wellness, Photo & More for You](https://www.walgreens.com/)** > > Your go-to for Pharmacy, Health & Wellness and Photo products. Refill prescriptions online, order items for delivery or store pickup, and create Photo Gifts. Go for a lighter tone if you’re very pale. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/8 "2005-05-06T21:21:13Z")
I have a real problem with open toed shoes. I think my toes are shaped a little strangely. Unless the front part is made of very soft, satiny cloth (any how many pairs of cute shoes does that description apply to?) my toes are chewed into hamburger (flowing blood) within 15 minutes. It’s my third and fourth toes that get rubbed the worst, in case that matters. Also, my skin sort of sticks to the material, creating a rather unattractive bulge of foot flesh over the shoe. I’m not overweight in the least, in case you’re wondering if I merely have fat feet (5’2", 122lbs) . Yes, these shoes are the correct size. So far, the only solution to these problems has been the dreaded stockings-with-open-toed-shoes. Don’t worry, I’m careful with the seam. What’s girl to do? (and don’t say “give up open toed shoes.”) ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/9 "2005-05-06T21:24:22Z")
All right then. That’s what I thought. I guess I will just wear the not-nearly-as-cute closed-toe pair of shoes. Bummer. Too bad I didn’t think of, like, tanning lotion or something before now. Although that’s a whole 'nother area of fashion risk which might have led to pants being necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/10 "2005-05-06T21:30:27Z")
> [@Hello Again](#): > > I have a real problem with open toed shoes. I think my toes are shaped a little strangely. Unless the front part is made of very soft, satiny cloth (any how many pairs of cute shoes does that description apply to?) my toes are chewed into hamburger (flowing blood) within 15 minutes. It’s my third and fourth toes that get rubbed the worst, in case that matters. > > Also, my skin sort of sticks to the material, creating a rather unattractive bulge of foot flesh over the shoe. I’m not overweight in the least, in case you’re wondering if I merely have fat feet (5’2", 122lbs) . Yes, these shoes are the correct size. > > So far, the only solution to these problems has been the dreaded stockings-with-open-toed-shoes. Don’t worry, I’m careful with the seam. > > What’s girl to do? (and don’t say “give up open toed shoes.”) I’m not sure what is happening to make your feet bleed in shoes. What styles are you trying? Are we talking strappy sandals? I can’t imagine them rubbing feet that badly. I would say, unfortunately, that if you can’t wear open-toed shoes without stockings, then you should probably find some different shoes. IMO, it’s not the seam, it’s that you can see the nylon holding the toes together. It’s just unsightly and I don’t think anyone is going to give a fashion thumbs up to the idea. ---
**Author:** ![belladonna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@belladonna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladonna)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/11 "2005-05-06T21:39:04Z")
Depending on how open the shoes are, you might be able to get away with cutting the toes off and wearing your hose and the cute shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Ashes\_Ashes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@Ashes\_Ashes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashes_Ashes)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/12 "2005-05-06T21:43:19Z")
I don’t know where I learned it, but I was told that open toe shoes where okay with sheer toe stockings. Reinforced toe stockings never. The thing is, I’ve noticed that if a dress is the sort that you’d wear with open strappy shoes, you’d not wear hose with it. I wear what looks good as an outfit and to heck with anybody thinking my legs are pale. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/13 "2005-05-06T21:45:53Z")
No, none of these shoes are particularly strappy (actually strappy might be better as it would relieve the pressure). Just normal open toes. One pair that are particular offenders are made by Joan & David and look alot like these: [![](https://www.zappos.com/images/161/7157161/985-127178-d.jpg) ](https://www.zappos.com/images/161/7157161/985-127178-d.jpg) If you imagine the brown toe part is the open-toe part, plus there’s an extra little strap across the foot that reminds one of a pair of mary janes. I mean, they’re pretty straightforward. However both cheaper and more expensive shoes have caused the same problem. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/14 "2005-05-06T21:51:44Z")
> [@Beadalin](#): > > Your vote? My vote? No stockings with open-toe shoes. If we let this sort of thing go, pretty soon people will be wearing socks with their sandals. :eek: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@Cerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerri)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/15 "2005-05-06T22:01:38Z")
Ugh, my fiance does this and it drives me _insane_. I’ve pretty much banned him from doing it in public with me, and his daughter teases him about it now too. He thinks our consternation is hilarious, on the other hand. _sigh_ He looks like my dad when he does it. If he didn’t need socks for work, I swear I’d just hide every last one of his socks all summer long. I guess I could hide his sandals… _mischievious grin_ ---
**Author:** ![Cerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@Cerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerri)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/16 "2005-05-06T22:02:41Z")
Er…he wears socks with his sandals I meant…not that he wears hose with open-toed shoes… ---
**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/17 "2005-05-06T22:43:12Z")
> [@Hello Again](#): > > No, none of these shoes are particularly strappy (actually strappy might be better as it would relieve the pressure). Just normal open toes. One pair that are particular offenders are made by Joan & David and look alot like these: > [http://www.zappos.com/images/161/7157161/985-127178-d.jpg](http://www.zappos.com/images/161/7157161/985-127178-d.jpg) > If you imagine the brown toe part is the open-toe part, plus there’s an extra little strap across the foot that reminds one of a pair of mary janes. I mean, they’re pretty straightforward. > > However both cheaper and more expensive shoes have caused the same problem. When my shoes are new I have those types of problems sometimes. I use this stuff from the foot section at the drugstore (it’s like [this](http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=80643&catid=882&trx=PLST-0-SRCH-HV&trxp1=882&trxp2=80643&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-SRCH-HV) but a different brand. It’s basically like putting bandaids on your toes except this stuff is thicker and softer and designed to protect your little toes from the sharp edges on the shoes. I just try to keep it tucked in where it won’t show that I’m wearing it. I have to wear it til the shoes break in a bit and then I don’t need it. I think a lot of the problem is if the heel is high and it’s shifting your weight forward to your toes and at the same time the edge of the toe is stiff and then it just rubs your toe too much. I find the higher the heel the more I need to break in the shoe before it stops rubbing my toes. ---
**Author:** ![pasunejen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@pasunejen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pasunejen)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/18 "2005-05-06T23:19:04Z")
> [@Indygrrl](#): > > I’m not sure what is happening to make your feet bleed in shoes. What styles are you trying? Are we talking strappy sandals? I can’t imagine them rubbing feet that badly. Some people (myself included) have very sensitive feet. In my experience, any amount of rubbing whatsoever will quickly result in a blister, which then gets pulled open and rubbed even worse. So it’s completely possible that they’re just normal shoes. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/19 "2005-05-06T23:26:27Z")
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**Author:** ![Stainz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Stainz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stainz)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742/20 "2005-05-06T23:26:27Z")
I have to confess, I did this last fall even though I KNEW better … and I felt like a shmuck all night. I second the recommendation for looking for the nylons with the open toe - there is a thong-like bit that keeps them on your feet … might be an okay compromise, although obviously I am no style maven. I love nylons and feel funny wearing a skirt without them, unless it’s a long flowy type thing that forgives numerous sins. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-nylons-and-open-toe-shoes/302742.md?page=2)