As January turns into February and fashion weeks blend together, I love spotting quieter trends that emerge amid the season’s creative buzz. While major runway moments grab attention, I prefer focusing on the outfits worn by attendees and showcased through street style.
Fashion Month hasn’t fully kicked off, but this week’s Haute Couture shows in Paris are already shaping the season’s trends. So far, we’ve seen dramatic peplum jackets on showgoers and sculptural silhouettes ruling the runways. Today, I’ve noticed another trend emerging—one I’m quickly falling for.
Once considered a fashion faux pas, pairing tights with strappy, open-toe sandals is now a rising trend. Just this week, several front-row favorites have embraced the look, proving that fashion “rules” are meant to be broken. The combination feels both playful and contradictory—balancing reveal and conceal—while adding a touch of unexpected charm to even the most polished outfits.
Lily-Rose Depp and Dua Lipa were among the first to embrace this trend at the Chanel Haute Couture show. Depp kept it classic with a tweed skirt set, pairing sheer black tights with silver metallic open-toe heels. Lipa, meanwhile, went for a monochromatic look, styling her black miniskirt and jacket with a quilted Chanel bag and an oversized hair bow. The addition of tights, sandals, and the XL bow softened the primness of her matching set, giving it a playful, retro-inspired twist that felt strikingly modern.
Why was this once a fashion “faux pas”? The look can sometimes appear messy, especially if the seam of the tights peeks through the open toe of the shoe. However, with the right positioning, it can look incredibly chic—as seen above. Plus, the pairing has a distinct retro charm, likely because it nods to the bold hosiery trends of the ’60s, when tights became a statement of their own.
No matter its origins, the message is clear—seasonal dressing is evolving. Why reserve your favorite summer shoes for warm months when a simple pair of tights can make them work year-round?