Pairing tights and socks with sandals… are you crazy? Maybe I am, but designers have been sending this look down the runways for seasons now and it’s a great way to get out of a winter boot rut! Besides, black opaques go from basic to killer when worn with seriously aggressive platforms and mini skirt. Looking to make your sandals look even more cozy? Try textured tights, like a fine ribbed wool pair. For evening, experiment with semi-sheer tights or ones with a slight pattern like swiss dots. Stay out of granny territory by avoiding anything too sheer or nude. Whatever you choose, keep the shoes and the tights in the same color family to create the illusion of one long line. Whether it’s all blacks or all electric blue is up too you! Once the weather starts to turn a bit milder, try swapping out tights for socks. Burberry Prorsum and Rochas showed models wearing scrunched down socks with sandals. Keep the socks and the shoes a nude or beige color to keep from shortening your leg too much. Now that you’ve got the legwear down, you can’t just throw on any old sandal. Opt for tall, chunky heeled or platform sandals; you’ll need them to balance out the heft of the tights. Anything too strappy and delicate will be overwhelmed.

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From our friends at Stylehive.com

When Manolo Blahnik uses words like “exquisite, “divine,” and “perfect” to describe your shoe designs, you know you’re on the up and up (and not just in terms of heel height). That’s exactly where designer Julia Lundsten is going with her line Finsk. Launched in 2004, her collection of crazy designs and quirky, sculptural heels has her dubbed as the Eames of footwear. While attending London’s Royal College of Art she won the prestigious Manolo Blahnik Award 2 years in a row. Her inspiration from architecture and furniture is visible in the details of her shoes. Her love of furniture design extends to her way of thinking too — considering the heel and the sole as the chair’s legs and the upper as the seat, her shoes always seem to cradle the foot perfectly. With an unconventional style, the pumps, ankle booties, and boots all feature heels hand-carved from sustainable hard woods from Brazil. If that doesn’t get you walking tall, I don’t know what will!

Check out the slideshow to see some of her signature styles at our friends Stylehive

Q&A: How to Transform Your Wardrobe from Formal to Creative [Omiru]

Chanel in Chains [The It Lists]

Killer Heels [Chic Intuition]

Speaking of Colonic Tubes [Trend de la Creme]

Fingerless Gloves Go Red Carpet with Mena Suvari [Shopaholics Anonymous]