No pedi? No problem!

Ever since our tragic middle-school science teacher wore Birkenstocks with sport socks, we've considered the sandals-and-socks combination to be one of fashion's biggest sins. But after watching Anna Sui, John Galliano and Rei Kawakubo send models down their spring catwalks wearing anklets with open heels, our position began to wobble. Then Hermes and Givenchy picked up on Balenciaga's fall tights-and-sandals concept. And a bevy of stylish celebrities -- including Julianne Moore and Jessica Alba -- started turning up on red carpets in open heels with opaque tights . . . and, then, well, we had to admit: It looked pretty good.

And that's where things got sticky.

Just try pairing tights and sandals on your own. Patterned or solid? Black or colored? Chunky shoes or stilettos? It was worse than an organic chemistry equation. We might as well have put on our Wigwams and Tevas and headed out the door.

So we raised a hand and asked Eric Daman, the costume designer on "Gossip Girl," how to do it right. The show is the small screen's latest answer to a fashion glossy, and all season he has outfitted young stars Blake Lively, Taylor Momsen and Leighton Meester in a refined designer wardrobe that embodies the show's Upper East Side socialite set. The teen melodrama's salacious plot line is no match for its clothes, with entire websites (see gossipgirlfashion.com) devoted to who wore what.

When it comes to tricky trends, Daman knows what he's doing. After three seasons of assisting Patricia Field on "Sex and the City," he learned to shop with future style in mind. Though he frequently matches open-toe footwear with tights and socks on "Gossip Girl," Daman also knows the look can be a disaster in real life.

The sole of the look

Novices should start with a simple peep-toe pump and solid opaque tight. After that, a high-heel T-strap or platform sandals work best. For formal fetes, delicate stilettos look sleek with opaque tights. But avoid this season's popular gladiator sandal and anything with a lot of straps. Monochromatic shoes are much easier than shoes with wooden heels. Playful knee socks are another popular "Gossip Girl" look but are a no-no with thin stilettos. "It comes off a little too kittenish."

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