Friday, January 28

BREAKING THE RULES WEEK: TIGHTS + SANDALS

Hello all to the final day of Breaking the Rules Week. It's been a blast, and I definitely will be doing another feature that you guys can participate in again soon (once I think of a brand spanking new theme)!

Let's dive right in to our final rule: Never wear tights with sandals. So without further ado, here's my brazen sin against today's sartorial commandment:




Now, I definitely don't advocate donning tights with flip-flops or anything (because really, how is that even possible?) (toe tights?) (eww), but tights with a nice substantial "sandal" can definitely work. I got these wedge sandals from Macy's a while back during one of their insane sales. I've unfortunately worn them only twice before the weather turned cold, so imagine how surprised I was when I ended up loving the way they look with tights!

The key to making sandals work with tights is to make sure that you choose a sandal with some weight to it. These have thick straps and a solid construction, which lends itself to looking appropriately cold-weather when paired with tights. Flimsier, more whimsical sandals may look too summery to work. Since mine are clearly sandals too, I paired them with matching black tights to downplay the sandal-ness. I can see the same method working on espadrilles, too!

And now, your wonderful outfits --

First up, we have Lisa's (Confessions of a Call Center Gal) rebellion against the rule. Before I even get to the sandals, I just want to tell Lisa that I pretty much want to swipe that skirt from her. Subtly shimmery and such a pretty silver color! I absolutely love it with the lilac-y cardigan, too. Lisa's sporting a nice sandal-style pump here, which has that necessary weight and heft we mentioned earlier in the thick straps, suede material, and square heel. It's definitely a chic look that proves open-toed (and open-sided) sandals can come out to play even when it's gray outside!


Next up, we have Felicity's (oh my my, oh) fashionable shunning of fashion rules. Her sandal is essentially a classic peep-toe black pump, which I absolutely believe can be worn with tights in every which manner and still look amazing. Felicity's blue tights work well to heighten the quirky factor of wearing open-toed shoes in the winter, and it brings a level of edge to an otherwise already sleek and elegant outfit. I adore the look of the belted cardigan!


Finally, we have Jen (Vintageglammz) rocking an awesome sandals with tights outfit. I love her long-blazer-with-dress look, and the white tights are a nice touch. The entire ensemble has a preppy feel to it because of the plaid dress, blazer, and white tights, but the peep-toe pumps just add a bit of kick (get it? shoes? legs? kicking? nevermind). I can totally see Jen strolling around a prep school in this, garnering disapproving looks from the school marms because of the outfit's sassiness, haha! Amazing!


So what have we learned about making sandals work with tights so that you can get more wear out of them when the warmer temperatures have gone? Keep the sandals weighty with thick straps, a solid heel, and a substantial material. Also, if you want to downplay the fact that you are indeed rocking sandals with your tights, choose tights that match the color of your sandals.

Well, that wraps up Breaking the Rules Week. Have a great weekend, and I'll see you all Monday with our regularly scheduled programming!

31 comments:

  1. Cool posts this week!
    What sweater are you wearing in this one? It is so cute! :)

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  2. Way to rock the sandals with tights! I was skeptical about breaking this rule, but you nailed it. Oh, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE your cardigan!! Where is it from?

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  3. Oh, this was fun. I've been anxiously awaiting the tights with sandals post all week. I've been a little intimidated to try this look, but seeing how you and these lovely ladies pull it off is very helpful. I loved this feature, I can't wait to see what you have next up your sleeve ;)

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  4. Amy, just like all the other readers, I HEART that cardi you're wearing. Where is it from?
    And trying on something different has been fun. btw, have you ever worn socks with heels?

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  5. Great post! And I'll second Lisa's question about socks and heels. It looks good in magazines (sometimes...) but I've never been brave enough to try it. I can imagine it going very, very wrong.

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  6. Love all of these examples! Great ideas for some of us not-so-daring types :)

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  7. All of you girls look fantastic! Such fun posts this past week, too! :)

    Btw, I also love your cardigan. :)

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  8. Hey ladies! Sorry I didn't mention the cardigan in the post -- but it's the "Type Designer Cardigan" from Modcloth and you can find it HERE! I highly recommend it!

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  9. Aw man, I had to tap out for this one because I thought you wanted us to do something like this, which, although I like you, I just can't handle.

    These outfits look great, though! And certainly a necessity in winter.

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  10. JG -- AUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

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  11. I have LOVED all of your breaking the rules posts!

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  12. I really enjoyed this feature the entire week. I adore the white patterned tights with the sandals on Jenn. All of you ladies are very brave to wear this look.

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  13. Darling outfit! I've really enjoyed seeing these "rules" be broken...the more examples I see, the less I'm inclined to believe them. :D

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  14. You did it right Amy! In fact, everyone here did! I really love this trend, and hope it sticks around. I keep seeing it on many bloggers and think it's just adorable. I loved this series you did. I hope you do more!

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  15. Everyone looks amazing...this proves its another rule that should be broken more often :) I really enjoyed this feature this week!

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  16. You look so darling AmyK and everyone who participated knocked it out the park with these fab outfits!! Loved this week's series and even though I didn't get to comment, I thoroughly enjoyed staring at everyone's creativity!

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  17. Well done! And man, I want so many of these belted cardigans looks!!!
    Jen's outfit is so awesome- just perfect proportions and colours and patterns. Smashing!

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  18. I love this outfit! Love the yellow and blue together.

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  19. I love tights and sandals together! I think you did a great job. Then again, I think you can pull anything off.

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  20. Amy K, I thoroughly enjoyed this week's series of rule breaking. I too, LOVE that cardi you are wearing. I saw it on Modcloth a while back and resisted, but after seeing it on you, i'm going to have another peek....

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  21. I've definitely enjoyed your posts this week - it's been fun to see how different people break the rules. You look simply adorable here - I love the expression on your face.

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  22. Oh, everyone looks terrific! And Amy, where is that cardigan from? I love it! I want it! Hahaha...such is life, right?

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  23. This is great and has definately made me want to bring out some of my chunkier sandals to try this out.

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  24. This was a fun week, I thoroughly enjoyed the pictures. Everyone has done a fantastic job, adn I was so happy to see some of my favorite bloggers featured, lol! ( AppGal- way to go , girl!)
    The bottom line; yes, rules are menat to be broken.

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  25. I totally missed the boat on this challenge. I love this outfit! The buttons on that cardi are great. Cool fastener detail on the belt! You'll see lots of tights with sandals in Seattle. (And, socks with Birkenstocks. Haha!)

    Jen Hemming and Hawing Again

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  26. heh, i had some trouble with this while training my merchandisers at work: i showed them socks/tights & sandals as a trend and they hated it! they needed serious convincing. ive always loved socks& girly shoes, done the right way it can give such an interesting touch to one's feet. i loved breaking the rules week, next time i might even be tempted to participate myself! x

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  27. i'm diggin the tights and sandals/peep-toes. you rocked it well, and that belt is hot!

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  28. I knew this would be the sassiest post. This rule got broke good ;-)

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  29. Amy, PLEASE post where your cardigan is from! I think several of us want it!

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  30. Yay for rule breaking!!! All you ladies did it with perfection!

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  31. I hope you do this again Amy! It was certainly a lot of fun seeing all the different rules broken. :) I love what you and the ladies had in this post as well!

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