Style Advice: Tights and Open Toe Shoes

I have received several emails and comments asking how to properly pair tights and open toed shoes. And since I am visual person I decided to address this topic in a post, complete with pictures. I am very particular about shoes and wearing the correct shoes for each season. I do though I have a few shoes, like my Cynthia Vincent Luella's that I feel are shoes I can wear year round. But most of my wedges and summer shoes I pack away for the summer, because I have a small closet and to me those shoes are unwearable during the fall and winter seasons.
What I look for when pairing tights with open toe shoes is shoe that is season appropriate, in color and in style. The shoe also must have some substance to it, personally I don't pair very stappy shoes with tights. Things I look for in open toes shoes to pair with tights are: Textures like Velvet and patent. Styles like Mary Janes and Oxfords, and darker winter color.
Some shoes I pair with tights are:
Open Toe Shoes I would not pair with tights: Anything with straw, cork, too strappy or an espadrille. All these shoes are too summery for pairing with tights.
You can always try shoes out and give it you best judgment as to how it looks. But I definitely don't think open toe shoes and tights is a combination that should be avoided. For myself it allows shoes like my Twelfth Street Cynthia Vincent Luella wedges to be extremely versatile. When I wore them in LA with tights my friend Wendy mentioned she never would have thought to pair them with tights but it works.
Here are my picks for shoes you can wear with tights now and later without tights when the weather warms up! (I included a variety of price options)

First row :Forever 21, Joie, Joie, Tory Burch, Jessica Simpson
Secon Row: Lamb, Oxford, Pour La Victoire, Jeffery Campbell, Dolce Vita
Thrid Row: Forever 21, Jessica Simpson, Jessica Simpson, Forever 21, Forever 21

Reader Request: Style Advice

Reader Emily, a Midwest Transplant from California send me a question asking my opinion on some shoe choices her is Emily's question and my response:

What do you think of:
1)Sportos http://www.zappos.com/sporto-aroostic-black-tan
2)Sperry Top-Sidershttp://www.zappos.com/product/7609984/color/4697

I can't decide if they are cool or ugly (if you think they're ugly please tell me!) but I'm seeing them EVERYWHERE! It took me a little while to finally break down and get sheepskin boots, and now I have Hunters, Uggs, and Old Navy sweater boots (but don't get me wrong, I do own plenty of other "regular" shoes) and I'm wondering if I need these additional weird (?) shoes in my collection.

I love your blog and trust your style!

-Emily

Thanks for reading the blog Emily! Here is my response to her question:

Thanks for reading my blog! I am honored you would want my advice!
SO here's my take on the shoes. I rarely wear flats, they just don't flatter me. Flat boots and sandals are exceptions.

The first pair I am not into at all. The second pair reminds me of of boat shoes, which I love. And wish I could pull off a nice Hampton-esque look of shorts, a v-neck and a collared shirt poking out, rocking some boat shoes. Or I can picture them paired with a blue and white striped sweater, so Polo and like Classic American. The pair you linked isn't my favorite, I would prefer something a little plainer like this version http://www.zappos.com/sperry-top-sider-bluefish-2-eye-ivory-1 but if you are looking for rain shoes maybe the others would be better.

So my take is I love the look of boat shoes, I know I can't pull them off. Maybe one day when I get some rocking legs.

Hope that helps! Thanks for reading the blog!
-Amber
Looks I am imagining:

Image from Vogue Issue unknown

Image from Shopbop.com

Let me now what you think and I'm sure Emily would appreciate any Midwesterners opinions as well, as I don't have to dress for Midwestern weather! And you would like my opinion on any style advice or a question about anything else feel free to shoot me an e-mail at Ambersnotebook@gmail.com.