<p>If it were me wearing them, I would go bare footed, and would never consider wearing socks, tights, or hose. However, in a descending order of chic, I would put bare first, lightweight tights second, fun patterned lightweight socks (with pants only!) third, and any sort of nude, suntan, fleshy looking hosiery a far distant fourth. </p>
<p>Kate Middleton wears sheer hosiery because the queen (who is from another generation, indeed) insists that her legs be covered. There is no question that given a choice, she would not wear pantyhose. I’ve noticed that when she wears wears flats with pants, she does not wear any sort of sock, and when she is in a full length gown, she always wears sandals with bare feet. </p>
<p>Speaking as the daughter of someone who was a shoe designer for many years … </p>
<p>Here is what I’m reacting to.
A ballet flat has just a toe box and a very low heel counter.
A penny loafer adds a vamp and a tongue and a higher heel counter.<br>
A short boot has a vamp, may or may not have a tongue depending on style, and may have an even higher heel counter. </p>
<p>To me, I think a sock looks best when worn with a shoe that has at least a vamp, if not a tongue. But that’s just me!</p>
<p>Can I wear socks with these? I tried them on at home and wasn’t sure. But if I can’t wear them with socks I was going to take them back as I don’t need anymore shoes that I can’t wear with socks. It will be snow here from November to April. Too cold and too snowy for ballet flats. But you get tired of boots sometimes ;)</p>
<p>My permission as well. But again, would you wear white socks? Green? Striped? Use your taste to find something that serves it’s purpose but doesn’t necessarily stand out. On the other hand, I would never wear those with any type of nylons/knee high.</p>
<p>Your vamp isn’t as high up as a penny loafer, but I think it’s ok! The thing is – wearing nylons / knee highs is “dressing up” a shoe, and that shoe is, by definition, not a dress shoe – which is why wearing nylons with it could look old-lady. </p>
<p>I wear leather ballet flats without anything almost all the time that I’m wearing flats. In fact, in the winter, I often wear my boots with no socks, especially if I’m wearing leggings underneath the boots… now I don’t do that if I’m going to be spending a lot of time outside and it’s really cold. </p>
<p>I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone wear sperrys with visible socks. I’d tread lightly on that one if you care what other people think. If not, who cares, if your feet are comfortable, be happy.</p>
<p>For me it really depends on the shoe. A good flat is hard to find. Those ones with the elastic sides I find to be particularly horrible. I have a pair of pewter flats that go with just about everything and are comfortable with bare feet about 7 months of the year.</p>
<p>Some flats and loafers can give just a horrible feeling when you put them on. Not just the terrible Payless Shoesource pleather, but also some of the shoes you find at Macy’s too. I can’t really wear socks with a flat… just not there aesthetically. But I wouldn’t want to own any flats that hurt without socks.</p>
<p>I look for a softer leather or suede. Yes, they may stretch a little over time, but it’s worth it to love your shoes from the start and not have to “break them in” like you’re a cowboy with a colt.</p>
<p>When you find a pair of flats or loafers you love, you will not be so inclined to wear socks with them.</p>
<p>This is interesting to me, since pretty much the only time I wear socks is with sneakers. In fact, I checked my sock drawer - I’ve got 2 pairs of black trouser socks and the rest are athletic socks. I personally don’t like / wear boots all that often - it’s pretty much flats year round and yes, without socks unless I’m explicitly trudging in the snow. I guess I don’t see the top of my foot as different from my hands in the sense of - it’s no big deal if they aren’t covered up. </p>
<p>Does the poster who referenced “nude” mean wearing whatever fleshtone knee-high is closest to their skintone so it looks like they are wearing nothing-- hence looks “nude”.</p>
<p>According to corporette, the expression is “nude for you” - so whatever is nude for YOUR particular skin tone. Not a uniform shade of light beige that obviously isn’t nude for many people! </p>
<p>When someone says “nude hose” they aren’t suggesting that Shrinkrap, who is African -American, put on light beige hose that would blend with my pale Eastern European skin! </p>
<p>Apparently the reason for Kate Middleton’s nude hose is royal decree / protocol. They also dictate closed toe shoes at Buckingham Palace events and you won’t see KM in open toed shoes (though maybe a peep toe). So I don’t think she’s making a fashion statement; she’s just constrained by her position. </p>
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