E-Mail This Article to a Friend Got cold feet? Beat the chill this season — accessorize! BY DARCY HEITZKE

Never underestimate the importance of great hosiery when you’re putting together an outfit. An eye-catching pair of tights or knee-high boot socks can add a lot to an ensemble. And in addition to staying on top of the varied styles this season, you shouldn’t forget to keep comfort in mind as well. Your feet deserve a treat from time to time — after all, they’re probably the hardest-working, least-rewarded part of your body. So pamper them with a soft pair of cashmere socks or an indulgent pair of designer tights. Or, at the very least, try wearing some flashy stripes, polka dots, or argyles to help accentuate your lower extremities.

At Vintage, Etc., you’ll find an impressive, diverse selection of socks, tights, and accessories, with a number of high-end European brands that specialize in comfort and versatility. The Italian company Ilux makes a line of luxurious socks and tights ($18–$100) in an assortment of fibers, including cashmere, silk, and merino wool. German designer Kunert makes a knee-high support sock ($28) for those of you who are on your feet all day or who suffer from circulation problems. From the same designer comes a pair of soft black tights ($44) in a wool-and-cotton blend that have been bathed in aloe vera for added comfort. For padding around at home, pick up a pair of cozy house socks by Biella ($28). This fuzzy footwear comes in a variety of fall colors and is made of blended wool, mohair, and nylon. Hue makes rugby-striped tights ($18) in an array of colors, as well as over-the-knee socks ($8–$10) in striped and argyle prints. For accessorizing your leg gear, Hue also makes ankle cuffs with bows ($8) and flower pins ($8) to attach to sock tops.

Argyle legwear is growing in popularity — particularly when worn with a cute pair of flats or round-toed pumps. J. Crew carries tricolored mid-calf argyle socks ($8.50) that can be paired with any number of its stylish heels or flats. Also available are knee-high argyle socks ($24.50) in five color combinations. Made of blended cashmere, they’re extra soft and warm for colder weather — and they look particularly stylish when worn with your favorite pair of tall leather boots.

Try stepping out in a pair of brightly patterned trouser socks by Celeste Stein ($8) from Simons Shoes. Choose from more than 50 designs, which include everything from polka dots to paisleys. Simons also carries a selection of brightly colored striped knee-highs ($8) and leg warmers ($9–$10) by Hot Sox. If stripes aren’t your thing, check out the selection of over-the-knee socks by Ozone ($18–$20) in argyles, polka dots, and colored tweeds.

Kick up your heels in some funky tights from Girlshop’s online boutique, which carries a flashy line of legwear by Look from London. Choose pink or green snakeskin tights ($21), black or leopard-print hexagon fishnets ($26), black corset tights ($23), or the exotic Medusa tights ($21), complete with flowers and pythons. Or, if you’re interested in something a little more elegant (and a lot less daring), check out the lace thigh-highs ($87) by Lara Kazan Designs. These cashmere-lambswool-angora-blend crocheted stockings are unique and downright sexy.

Speaking of sexy, if that’s the look you’re going for, Wolford is undoubtedly one of the best places to find it. Its limited-edition Pink Ribbon tights ($58) allow you to be desirable and charitable at the same time, with 10 percent of the proceeds going to breast-cancer-care projects. These black, semi-opaque tights have a pink vertical seam and pink removable ribbons above each heel. Equally sexy are the plain vertical-seam stockings ($40), available in both black and tan. For the ultimate splurge, Wolford carries eccentric, geometrically patterned tights by Pucci ($165) that are sure to turn heads.

Where to find it:

• Girlshop, www.girlshop.com

• J. Crew, various locations; www.jcrew.com

• Simons Shoes, 282 Harvard Street, Brookline, (617) 277-8980; www.simonsshoes.com

• Vintage, Etc., 1798 Mass Ave, Cambridge, (617) 497-1516; www.crazyclogs.com

• Wolford, Mall at Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, (617) 527-0638; Copley Place Mall, Boston, (617) 236-5070; www.wolford.com