Skirts are a great alternative to pants — or shorts — for day wear. A skirt can be more casual than a dress, for moms who aren’t going to an office; a skirt can also be grown up and sophisticated, for business meetings or after-five events. And while a skirt isn’t quite as simple as a dress — you have to pair it with something, after all — one skirt can go with a whole variety of other pieces, for a nice range of looks.

Skirts — just a couple of really great ones — are a simple way to update both your work and weekend wardrobe. But how do you know which skirt to wear and what to pair it with?

Read on and find out!

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Looking for shoes to wear with your footless tights? There are a few rules, of course — or think of them as strategies, if you prefer.

Keep it flat. Pairing footless tights and heels will make you look like a girl in search of a pole.

No Converse, please. Unless you’re under the age of twelve, put on some real shoes. Yes, I’m talking to you.

Be bold! Whether you’re treating your footless tights as a dressed up alternative to yoga pants or a more casual version of work wear, pair them with pretty shoes in bright colors for a more interesting look.

Choose shoes that are destination-appropriate. Sandals are great for running errands, but a ballet flat is better for the office, and a cute pair of skimmers is perfect for a day of kid sports.

Keep the line clean. Avoid anything with a heel or a strap that wraps around your ankle.

What shapes and styles look best with footless tights? Here are eight of my favorites, all available at Piperlime, and chosen not for their prices but for their style. You can find shoes like these for a lot less at places like Target and DSW and Payless, or you can splurge on the real deal. No matter where you shop, though, buy the best quality you can afford and then wear them all the time.

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Admit it: Casual wear can be a nightmare. Dressy events call for a dress, and yoga pants are a perfect go-to for days when you never leave the house, but if you work in a casual Friday office, or work at home, or work schlepping kids to and fro all day, finding the mid point between practical and chic can be overwhelming.

Which explains why so many of us spend our days in those yoga pants.

Casual seems so easy — that perfect balance of actually dressed (rather than possibly still in what you slept in) but not dressed up (an outfit that welcomes sticky post-daycare hugs and kisses). But beyond dark rinse jeans and a pretty top, what is there?

How about a dress and some footless tights? Cute! Chic! Practical!

But wait! you say, I’m too old for footless tights! Maybe, but probably not.
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Michael Kors makes me smile. I’m not sure if it’s his design aesthetic or his way with words (anyone who refers to a Project Runway design as a “paper brioche” is an instant favorite in my book), but I enjoy him thoroughly.

In this month’s In Style, Michael penned a fabulous list entitled “Secrets of Style for Right Now”. Twelve perfect snippets of real-world advice, and I’ve included a few of my favorites for you to peruse.

Neat and Polished - What’s right for now is looking pulled together.

Kors suggests mixing the unexpected with the familiar, like a ballet flat in white cheetah or a sleeveless sheath in an unexpected color instead of black.

$128, J. Crew

Check Your Basics - Before buying new pieces, look in your closet for the staples that ground them.

Buy the best quality you can afford when it comes to your favorite basics - tees, jeans, etc.

$65, James Perse

(My take on white tees? I always replace them after one year, so I’m more apt to spend a little less. Potato, potahto. However, I’m in full agreement about buying the best quality when it comes to denim.)

$10, Gap

Think Knits - Choose fabrics that offer comfort and versatility.

Tissue-weight cashmere and merino wool can breathe, yet withstand air-conditioning. The lightest weights are virtually seasonless.

$68, J. Crew

Give Yourself a Break - Splurge on one fabulous item.

While this may sound contradictory with the current recession, it really isn’t. Finding one unique item that’s so fabulous it sparks everything you wear it with is worth it. Justify it by knowing you’ll have it forever.

$478, Anthropologie

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