I very seldom wear dresses anymore, but if I did and it was cold out, I would wear tights or pantyhose...whatever they're called today.
Women look silly with bare legs in the cold in a dress.
When I was a child, I wore dresses to school,no pants allowed, with low anklet stockings. By the time I walked to school, my bare legs were red, frozen and numb.
I really don't care what the current trend or style is, my Mama didn't raise me to be stupid. If it's cold out, I am dressing to keep warm.
No stockings are needed in warmer weather...I am usually in open toe shoes or sandals.