Fashion rules are often seen as guidelines, but they’re meant to be bent, blurred, or even broken to express individual style. One outdated rule ripe for a makeover is pairing sheer tights with open-toe sandals. This combination is undeniably chic and elevated yet effortlessly cool—no fuss required—and we’re not the only ones who think so.

Fashion insiders, especially those with a minimalist, high-fashion approach like The Row’s, are increasingly embracing this once-debated pairing. Zoë Kravitz, an icon known for her low-key luxe style, was spotted in NYC yesterday evening wearing sheer tights with open-toe kitten heels layered under a long black wool coat.

On Zoë Kravitz: Saint Laurent bag

The streets of New York Fashion Week also saw this chic combination in full force. Creative entrepreneur and designer Tylnn Nguyen paired sheer tights with patent leather strappy open-toe sandals for the Calvin Klein F/W 25 show, pairing them with straight-leg jeans, a graphic T-shirt, and a blazer. Meanwhile, digital creator Mary Leest took a more glamorous approach, pairing hers with a sequin dress and a fur shawl. These looks proved that you don’t have to reserve open-toe shoes for warmer months—just add tights to make them work year-round.

Beyond the street style scene, this trend made waves in Spring/Summer 2025 collections, with Toteme showcasing sheer tights paired with wide-leg trousers and pencil skirts—an elegant blend of bold and refined.

As fashion’s most stylish set fully embraces sheer tights and open-toe sandals, it’s clear that this will be one of 2025’s defining styling techniques—especially as we move into the transitional-weather season. Inspired? Keep scrolling to shop our edit of the best tights and open-toe sandals.

Shop the best tights and open-toe sandals