Black hose for an evening event always work for me. But I would go as sheer as you can go.

I never, ever wear hose. I don't do dressy too often, but if I do, I make sure I wear something that I can do without hose. How dressy is this dinner party? It shouldn't be that cold then would it?

I never have gone to a dinner party in NY, so I am sure that my ignorance shows. Is it not acceptable to wear nude hose and closed toed shoes with a black dress? All through the fall, winter, and spring I wear hose with dresses and skirts. I would be frozen otherwise ( in PA).

I would wear nude stockings, but black would be fine too.

Amlactin makes quick work of rough knees. My feet were a terrible mess and I couldn’t get a pedicure. My mother told me to try Amlactin, less than one week later I had perfectly smooth feet.

No to nude hose. Black would be fine.

I think hosiery should remain a viable choice, and can't see anything wrong with a high quality, sheer nude or black. I personally think the no hose route is sometimes ok, but in some cases hosiery gives a more finished, polished look. I don't think it's reasonable to pronounce hosiery "strictly out".

Agree with ultra sheer nude or black. Most times I choose nude bc it truly looks like you’re not wearing any hose at all. But if you’re trying to cover knees, do black sheer.

Those of us in a "certain age group" should do what looks best in our particular situation.

I'm going to a wedding in October in California, I am definitely wearing sheer hose. I don't have any issues with my legs, I just agree with what Ida said, for a dressy occasion, I feel more finished when wearing hose.

All this said, our OP, Martinca does have an issue. Try the dress on with both and see what you think. In your case, you need the hose.

I don't have the opportunity to wear dresses that often and I enjoy the times that I do. But if I had issues that would make me self conscious, I would probably wear a really nice pants outfit.

Agree with eld6161. One either has nice legs, or one doesn't. Do what looks best and what makes you feel your best.

Hard and fast rules (fashion, decorating, life) are meant to be broken. If you were confident about not wearing hose you wouldn't have asked. So what's more important, the 'rule' or your comfort/confidence? And BTW.....who made this rule?

I like the look of black sheer hose with black dress and shoes. I agree, everyone here has her own comfort level with this. I don't like to go bare legged but I have done it.

Another agreement here with Eld6161. And I, too, like sheer hose (vote for black in this case).

I'm sure the OP's knees are fine and no one would notice. However, if we have something about our bodies that makes us self-conscious and there's an easy fix, why wouldn't we do it? As long as it's appropriate, which hose certainly are. The comfort and confidence gained allows us to enjoy the event so much more.

IMO, the contemporary look of no stockings or hose is for those blessed with (or able to pay for) young legs. I'm not going to show off my sunspots and spider veins to anybody - esp. at a dressy event.

October in NY will likely be chilly enough for stockings/hose to be perfectly acceptable. I agree that sheer is more dressy than opaque.

I would also work on the callouses daily with lots of moisturizer and exfoliation - maybe even a pumice stone.

We used to use Pretty Feet & Hands back in the day, apparently they still make it:

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/pretty-feet-&-hands-rough-skin-remover/ID=prod6076939-product

I agree with all of you, beginning with jen, and eld , and will wear hose! I so rarely have considered wearing a shorter dress that my mindset on hose went back to whenever it was decided {%#=…#) bare legs were de riguer for every woman under 105. One discussion here was about Kate Middleton hopefully changing that foolish ”rule”. And I like my legs! Well, but not the knees. They’re not so bad that sheer black won’t hide the flaws. Thanks, zalco, I’ll give the amlactin a try. First, I’m going to see if a callus remover will do anything. Appreciate all of your replies !!!

Next up is a hunt for ( kinda :>/) comfortable pumps. I wore the dress with black leather boots at a more casual affair.

I dress to look MY best--not to be on trend. Wear any hose that make your legs look fabulous!! That's what people will remember.

Martina, start a shoe thread. I really want a comfortable black pump. Searched last year to no avail.

I did find a comfortable dressy heel in taupe for a wedding unattended last year.

I quickly ordered it in black but it didn't fit!

Also need nice black pump, not too high.

IME the key to a comfy heel is ballast. If the shoe does not have a clunky heel, or better yet, a wedge, or, best of all, a platform, you cannot distribute your bodyweight evenly and therefore it makes the shoe uncomfortable.

I learned something recently about feet and aging. You lose the fat on your feet as you age. That is why is gets harder to wear heels.

I like kitten heels. A black kitten heel slingback is classic and comfortable, IMO.

Interesting Mtn. I just thought that I was "out of practice." It certainly makes sense.

I love a block heel. Again, I am not one to dress up often, so I've never worn heels, hose, etc. often. I cannot stand the feel of "panty hose". LOL If I must attend something that dressy, and cannot go bare legged (no veins/sunspots), I wear a dress/skirt long enough that I can wear thigh highs or knee highs. Now days there are so many dressy pants or maxi's that if you don't want to wear hose, you don't need to. So as others have said, do what makes you feel good/comfortable and makes you look your best!

How dressy is the dress? When I hear the word 'knit' used to describe a fabric, I think of something that could be a bit more casual. Is that right? Regardless, a sheer black hose would be just fine, lovely.

My go to company for comfortable but elegant dress shoes is SAS. I purchased THIS great pump a year ago and have worn them several times. Mine are the snake skin pattern and look wonderful with black.

You lose the fat on your feet as you age.

This seems so unjust. Of all the places...

Oh feathers, yes, unfair!

Rhizo, this is black knit with black sequins . I wiill check out SAS. Carolb, classic, yes, comfy not for me.

I had no idea SAS made dressy shoes!

I was excited to try the SAS Moxie pump. It didn't work. I have a pair of casual SAS sandals that are comfortable so I assumed the shoe would be.

Maybe the kitten heel would work though.