Toeless Socks: Too Trendy For The Office?

I've picked up on an interesting little trend lately: toeless socks worn with strappy wedge sandals. I guess it's just not warm enough to go bare-legged, but the city gals are dying to shed their tights and show off that first-of-the-season pedicure—a clever way of transitioning that school girlish knee-sock-and-stacked-heel-pump look from fall into the warmer weather. 

I am a fan of the trend—I think it looks cute for a Saturday window shopping stroll—but I would skip this look at the office; it's a little too casual. I've seen a few girls sporting this open toe style with their work attire and something about it irks me a bit—too many little piggies on the loose in an office environment seems unprofessional to me. 

We want to know how you feel about the trend: Will you be purshasing these shimmer-y, striped, legwarmer-ish socks by Free People, or do you believe socks should only belong with closed toe shoes? Is it a workweek look or weekend-only wear? Let loose in our comments section below.

Don't forget to check out some of the other latest trends we've spotted, and our Guide to Spring Fashion.

Do-It-Yourself Fashion: Patterned Tights

Tights are everywhere, especially in the winter. They’re warm, colorful, and a great camouflage for winter-pale legs. They’re available in every color of the rainbow and can rev up a basic skirt-and-top ensemble as much as a pricey handbag. But how can you be sure that the pair you’re wearing is unique? The answer is simple: enhance them yourself. Thanks to Buzzfeed, one click will take you to a whole slew of ideas.

One post, courtesy of Fashionista.com, tells you how to make the ombre tights seen on the Christian Lacroix runway. If you're into crafty home projects, this could be right up your alley. 

Another idea, from The Clothes Horse, requires only a pair of tights and a marker. While wearing the tights, use the marker to draw a design of your choosing. The blogger highly recommends that you wear a pair of black opaque tights under them to preserve your skin.

Best Seller:  Tummy Control from Spanx

Shop: Bare Necessities

Best Seller: Spanx Power Panty Shapewear

Why they're flying off the shelves: Spanx Power Panties with Power Control is a confidence building and comfortable body shaper that makes you feel and look fabulous. Oprah loves her Spanx panties so much that she ditched her underwear for them! The high waistline silhouette smoothes midriff, tummy, thighs and rear and gives you a slim and streamlined figure without visible panty lines.

What SheFinds Readers' say about Spanx:

"Spanx reduce you one whole size! They leave no lines, so you can put them on with confidence and head out to a first date, the opera, work, or even to your own wedding! I introduced my mother to the legend of the Spanx. She didn't want to wear hosiery to my beach wedding and Spanx allowed her to have a tight rear and flat tummy while still feeling the sand between her toes!"

"The Spanx Super Footless feels just a tad tighter on the tummy than regular control-top pantyhose but are footless and perfectly designed so that the bottoms don't roll up your legs, nor do they have a band that creates a bulge in your calves."

"Spanx have changed my life - I wear the Control Top Fishnets, the Mid-Thigh Smoother under skirts and the footless under pants."

You'll be thrilled to know that Spanx now has clothing with built-in slimming properties - try the Spanx Bod-a-Bing! Cropped Cargo Pants, Top, and Skirt.

Not what you're looking for?  Check out the rest of SheFinds' favorite Shape-Flattering Underwear buys, Undercover Stylist Secrets, and our can't-live-without-em Spanx Picks.

And for more shape-shifting secrets, take a peek at our Guide to Lingerie for your Figure.  

Deal Of The Day: Buy More, Pay Less For Basics At Urban Outfitters

Everyone needs a decent amount of basics in their closet - you know, tights, tees, camis, leggings, etc. Yesterday I went out to pick up a bunch of these items, each in a few different colors, and by the time I got done at the cash register, I had dropped almost $200—hard to believe. If only more stores gave a discount for buying more than one of a basic item:

A flattering jersey knit cami ($18, 2 for $30) is great for layering under work clothes in winter, and over bathing suits in summer.

A simple V-neck tee ($16, 2 for $25) can be worn with a pair of jeans, your favorite terry track pants, or under a cute jumper dress.

With so many must-have dresses on the market, you'll need to stock up on your tights. Urban Outfitters' collection of opaque tights ($12, 2 for $20) features all of the brightest colors—but if you're too overwhelmed, basic black and brown are available too.

MORE DEALS:

Get an additional 20% Off Clearance styles at BareNecessities.com

Get what you want this Valentine's Day with an extra 20% Off at The Passionate Collector. Enter code: SHF4 

Get fun and unique jewelry at Crazy Dreams Studio. Get an extra 20% Off with code: COOL BUTTON   

Would You Wear A Thong On Your Feet?

We all know that letting your thong peep out over the top of your jeans is one of the biggest fashion no-no's there is. In fact, it's a crime so heinous some cities are considering making it a finable offense . But what if the visible thong in question wasn't concealing your nethers, but rather exposing your newly manicured tootsies?

Foothongs by Mic were designed to "add some muscle to the hosiery industry", according to designer Marcella Islar. Unlike traditional toeless hose, racy Foothongs thigh-highs are meant to be seen, with their positionable "thong" adding a graphic element where only toe rings and polish dared go before. The Foothongs website even suggests some places you might wear these revolutionary stockings: "the bedroom, the boardroom, the ballroom, or on your honeymoon night (for something new)." They come in lace-topped or plain versions so you can spice things up by wearing them as a lingerie item, or be more discreet in avoiding that other fashion sin—visible hosiery seams with open-toed shoes.

So what do you think? Will you be showing off your thong-tha-thong-thong-thong (pairs start at $15 ) or will you be sticking to the sucked-in safety of your Spanx? Let us know what you think of this new development in the comments section below.

Trend Alert: Sheer Tights Return For Spring

The new year is all about assuming a fresh perspective on life--and on fashion, too. So for 2008 take your cue from England and Japan, where women are throwing out their opaque tights in favor of a sexy, sheer look.

Since December's British Vogue recommended transparent tights in their piece about dressing for the in-between season (not sure we're quite there yet, temperature-wise, but...), and trend-watchers started reporting lots of these leggings on the stylish streets of Tokyo, the style is hitting state-side. We've spotted celebs like Claudia Schiffer and Blake Lively abandoning last year's opaque leggings in favor of this more elegant look.

And check out these images from the Chanel Spring 2008 Couture show at Paris Fashion Week. All of Lagerfeld's looks included sheer tights - either in grey, black, or white.

 For those of us of in northern climates, this may not be the most sensible trend quite yet (we do love that cozy thick tights let us wear short skirts in the dead of winter). But as temperatures warm, SheFinds predicts that we'll be seeing a lot more leg.

Get Yours: Try a pair of fancy Wolford Sheer Tights from Saks ($52), or a more budget-friendly pair ($20) from Nordstrom. 

20/20 Examines Shapewear at 10 PM Tonight!

Tune in to ABC's 20/20 tonight to see the newest innovation in shapewear, the Bra-llelujah! This new bra from shapewear gold-medalist Spanx is sure to make waves...we know we can't wait to see if it really lives up to its promise to erradicate VBL (visible bra line) and smooth away back fat. Check out what they have to say tonight and let us know if you'll be purchasing one of these.

For those of you looking for something tried, tested, and approved, be sure to read our guide to underwear that eliminates back fat, flattens your tummy, and boosts your bum!

Are Shorts The New Mini Skirt?

What: Black shorts worn with tights

Who: Lately I have seen this on celebrities I would normally consider fashion forward: black shorts with black tights. Sienna Miller, the ultimate trend setter, was the first to sport barely-there briefs with black tights at the premiere of Factory Girl in December of 2006. But recently this trend has popped up again on the likes of Kate Bosworth (at the Fendi fete in China) and Gwen Stefani (at the Waverly Inn in New York City).

I really don’t know where to go with this. Part of me feels it is a great alternative to a skirt, both practically and aesthetically speaking. Yet every time I see this look, it reminds me of a tap dancer from a fourth grade dance recital.  Or even worse, the little bee girl from that Blind Melon video.

I suppose it all boils down to the proper footwear. If you go the wrong way, you might look like you belong on 42nd Street--either the street corner or the musical, depending on which shoes you choose. The only time I have really seen this pulled off correctly is with a classic black pump, or a gunmetal grey heel. But even then, you could still look like you A Chorus Line wannabe.

Maybe I am just not in the loop when it comes to broadening my derriere-covering horizons. What do you think?