Such a great fall stocking trend

If you're like me, you're wondering how to begin the transition from summer to fall...not only in the clothing department, but footwear as well. In the past, strict rules governed whether we'd wear white shoes, off-white shoes, open toes with stockings, etc. In most cases, these rules have fallen by the wayside in favor of more innovative fashion trends that push traditional boundaries. One of my favorite examples of this is the new widespread acceptance of opaque tights.

Opaque tights, once the staple of all little girl wardrobes, have done a lot of growing up in the past few years. (definition of opaque: can't be seen through) Each season we've seen more designers show opaque tights with their fashions, both dressy and casual. Celebrities such as Sienna Miller have been seen on the red carpet sporting opaque tights with sandals. The moral of the story? If done right, opaque tights can be worn all year round, for any occasion. Here are a few rules to live by:

1. Any shoes can be worn with opaque tights. Play with textures and colors to find a good combination. Shoes worn in the same color as your tights elongate the leg. Jewel tones are hot this season, so consider wearing ribbed opaque tights with your peep toes shoes to help transition them to fall.

2. Tall boots AND short boots look great with opaque tights. If you're brave, try a pair of black tights with this season's must-have, the grey suede boot. Or, if you're more faint of heart, try wearing a short boot in the same color as your tights.

3. Yes darling, you CAN wear opaque tights to dressy affairs. The key is to look for tights with metallic accents, or textures to dress up your legs.

4. If you're tipping your toes into the waters of bright colored tights, pick a pair of tights in a color that matches one from your outfit. Or, anchor bright tights with a solid black dress and black boots.

Try Hue for great options in tights. Short on time? Kroger carries Hanes tights in their hosiery aisle.