It's spring, and from my experience as a woman and as someone who writes about personal style, I know I can expect two things:
Millions of women, myself included, will ditch their winter tights in favor of bare legs with the skirts and dresses we wear to work and to social events and everywhere in between.
And men — typically baby boomers and beyond — will call and e-mail me to register their disappointment.
"Women look much better, their appearance and everything, with hose on. They look complete," says Joe Ellison, who is 83, lives in Southgate and became my first male pantyhose caller of the season when he phoned recently. Going without pantyhose "doesn't flatter their legs. You see indentations, scars, varicose veins."
Ellison has a point; technically speaking, pantyhose can indeed improve the appearance of a woman's legs.
Still, no matter the cosmetic benefits of pantyhose, no matter how much men of a certain age long to see our legs encased in them — when it comes to this subject, I never hear from younger men, probably because they didn't grow up surrounded by women who wore them — pantyhose will never make a comeback.
And in a minute, I'm going to tell these guys why.
Pantyhose — invented by, you guessed it, a man — debuted in 1959 as a convenient and more comfortable alternative to stockings and garters. Quickly, they became part of almost every woman's wardrobe.
And yet, there's really nothing especially convenient or comfortable about pantyhose. Ranging in price from a few dollars a pair to upwards of $40 or so, they're expensive — especially considering it's virtually impossible to get more than a single use out of a pair without running or snagging them. They tend to be ill-fitting, the waistband either riding too low on our hips or so high it's up to our armpits. Plus pantyhose are hot, especially in the sticky summer months.
"My first problem was the stretch and the length," says Toni Pozios, who is 66, lives in Harrison Township and gave up on pantyhose in the late 1970s, way earlier than any of the other pantyhose haters I've talked to.
"The thought of my weight at that time is something I buried in the dark depths of my mind, but that extra weight made pantyhose lose their length because they used it up going around me. So I walked around with the first low rider pantyhose."
Pozios says, "The final oomph to ditch them was seeing ladies at a wedding wearing evening sandals with the reinforced toes! ... I was looking down at their feet, I said, 'Oh, beautiful shoes!' Then I saw the pantyhose with reinforced toes and I thought, 'Oh, gosh, that kills the whole look!'"
As for me, I ended my relationship with pantyhose at a friend's wedding in the mid-1990s. It was an especially humid day in August, and I chose comfort.
Now, it's true, every so often pantyhose experience a slight blip in popularity. Between March 2012 and February 2014, sales of sheer hosiery rose 3% among girls and women in the 13-to-24 age group, according to a report.
Some experts attribute that blip to Catherine, duch*ess of Cambridge and fan of pantyhose, though recently actor Zooey Deschanel and singer Ariana Grande have been photographed wearing flesh-tone pantyhose, too.
I attribute it to a generation's relative unfamiliarity with pantyhose. To young women, pantyhose are a novelty, much the same way neon, leg warmers, acid wash jeans and other fashion tragedies from the 1980s and 1990s are novelties. Young women find them intriguing because they were too young to wear them the first time around.
It's also true that pantyhose can serve a cosmetic purpose. "Super sheer pantyhose can act like a camera filter," explains Jon Jordan a local makeup artist and image consultant who serves as style editor for WDIV-TV (Local 4) in Detroit. "They will make great legs look even better."
And, he says, "If you don't have great legs, pantyhose with maybe a little more opacity, can cover up a myriad of flaws. They can add color to your skin, provided it's sort of a realistic match. If there's a little bit of sheen to them, they can enhance the structure of your legs."
Of course, makeup and self tanner can do the same thing.
But the bottom line is this: Between 2009 and 2013, according to Experian Marketing Services, the number of women in the U.S. who said they bought regular pantyhose declined 40%. The number of women who said they bought control top pantyhose declined 47%.
Women dress for themselves
Which, brings me back to the guys who want us to wear pantyhose.
Women shun pantyhose — and will continue to do so — because our dislike for them outweighs our like for the men who wish we would wear them.
We understand their interest in our appearance and, perhaps, their nostalgia for a different time.
But these days we most often dress to please ourselves.
We know that if we aren't comfortable with what we are wearing, we will be ill at ease. And if we are ill at ease, we will come across as lacking confidence. And I don't know many women who want to look or feel that way — at work, at social events and everywhere in between.
We've come too far and still have too far to go.
Contact Georgea Kovanis: 313-222-6842 or gkovanis@freepress.com.
It turns out pantyhose sales have been sagging for the last two decades, because of self-tanner, open-toed shoes, women wearing pants more often, and, generally, more casual dress in the workplace. Millennials don't own pantyhose. One article says, "Many people associate sheer with grandma."
Thus, a simple pair of stockings worn as tights has landed itself as the most viral trend of 2023 (so far). Indeed, 2023 is really in its 'no pants, no problem' era after a handful of celebrities have stepped out sans the bottom half of their outfits and honestly the look is a mood and a half.
And know this: The sheer nylons and tights segment of the global hosiery market is predicted to grow by 2.1 percent over the next seven years. So whatever the politics, pantyhose are not going away.
While pantyhose used to be necessary in professional woman's work wardrobe, this is no longer the case in most places. You can dress in a formal way without wearing pantyhose, and you should not worry about being docked on your interview performance because of it.
Around 1991, pantyhose sales started dropping because office workers were adopting a more casual appearance, wearing slacks with knee-high hose rather than pantyhose.
But the bottom line is this: Between 2009 and 2013, according to Experian Marketing Services, the number of women in the U.S. who said they bought regular pantyhose declined 40%. The number of women who said they bought control top pantyhose declined 47%.
Heads up: The '80s are coming back and in a major way. You may think of drop-waist skirts as a thing of the past, but they're about to make a return in 2023—as proven by Carolina Herrera and Sandy Liang (and they're looking good). Honestly, we can't say we aren't excited about this one.
Here's the general rule: Yes, you can wear pantyhose, so long as the shoe that you are wearing has a closed or peep toe. If it is a true sandal with an open toe, I will stay clear of pantyhose.
The truth is, as the mother-of-the-groom, you can wear whatever you want to the ceremony. While it's not required to wear pantyhose to weddings, we highly encourage you to look and feel fabulous for the occasion. Thigh highs are a glamorous way to help you reach this goal.
#1. Go without. If you don't care for pantyhose and you're comfortable going without, that's perfectly fine for all but the most conservative of semi-formal events. (If it's a business event, you may want to ask around and see what the other women are going to wear to be sure you look appropriate.)
Let's face it, no matter what you do, bare legs look hot in the winter, but it's still cold outside. You've gotta shield your exposed skin with a stylish long coat, that *bonus* will look amazing when paired with a shorter hem underneath. Yes, knee length or higher is acceptable here!
According to Stacy London of What Not To Wear, she too agrees that hosiery can be paired with open-toe shoes so long as the shoe is more of a peep-toe. Interestingly enough, fashion designers have intentionally dressed models in pantyhose with open-toe shoes on the runway as well.
Because they are tight, compression hose squeeze the leg muscles and encourage blood to return uphill toward the heart instead of allowing the blood to pool at the lower legs. While they cannot entirely prevent varicose veins, compression pantyhose might ease leg discomfort associated with venous insufficiency.
Classic sheer, nude pantyhose are worn with dresses to keep from baring legs, and all their imperfections, in formal and professional environments. They're not exactly a style statement, but more of a practicality.
Pantyhose were invented in the late 1950s and went on sale in 1959. They didn't become popular until the mid-1960s (thanks to the mini-skirt). They were revolutionary because women no longer needed to wear a girdle or garter belt.
And generally speaking, going commando is fine, but there are a few rules to follow. If you're going without panties regularly, be sure to consider the health risks. vagin*l folliculitis, yeast infections, UTIs, and chafing are a few possible ailments that are even more uncomfortable than wearing undies under tights.
Solid black pantyhose works well for a formal gathering on a warm day, as it elongates the black look while keeping you cooler than wearing dress slacks. Pair the hose with a matte-finish black pump or flat. If you must add some color to your look, do so with metallic jewelry or a delicate dark-hued scarf.
Men working outdoors sometimes find that nylon, unlike thermal underwear, provides warmth without bulk and without absorbing perspiration. For that reason, professional football players occasionally wear pantyhose during cold games.
Even though women were showing off more of their legs than ever before, going bare-legged in public was still a fashion faux pas. To remain covered while wearing on-trend outfits, Flappers turned to 1920s stockings to keep their legs covered.
History books credit Allen E.Gant with creating pantyhose — or “Panti-legs” — in 1959. The idea came to him while on an overnight train to North Carolina with his pregnant wife, Ethel Boone Gant, when the two of them were returning home from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
What clothes should you not wear over 50? Most fashion gurus advise over 50s to steer clear of unflattering choices such as old-fashioned, calf-length skirts, fleeces and elasticated waistbands unless you're perfecting the right tuck for your top.
Get rid of anything that's dated. Whatever was in style a year or two ago, it's probably not in style anymore. Anything that you've held on to, that you used to wear years ago may not work today. Even if it used to fit and look great, there's a good chance it's dated.
Leggings Are Officially Runway Approved—5 Trends We're Eyeing for 2023. There was once a time when practically no one I knew left the house without wearing a pair of leggings.
As far as beauty trends go, that's exactly what this year is all about. Classic '90s looks that involve smokey shadows and hints of metallic get softened and more lived-in for 2023. As far as skin goes, get ready to keep the focus going on maintaining healthier skin and adopting a more streamlined routine.
I have advised readers that while bare legs are fine even at the most formal events, hosiery also is perfectly acceptable as long as it's skin tone and sheer. I've just returned from a wedding where I wore my new bargain ($10!) black sequined mini and consignment store jeweled black shoes (also $10).
The Do's and Don'ts of wearing ankle boots with stockings:
Do wear pattern stockings with ankle boots - Kick your outfit up a notch by mixing pattern tights with boots. Do wear boots and hosiery during cold weather - stay warm by wearing thick tights underneath your dress or skirt.
DON'T wear hose with slingbacks or mules—not attractive. DO get toeless hose (try Hanes Silk Reflections Transparent Sheer collection, $10.50 each) to wear with open-toe shoes.
For example, if you have a black dress, then choose a pair of black tights or stockings. There is an exception to this rule, however; if your outfit is darker than the shoes you are wearing, choose nude-colored tights or stockings instead.
Hosiery has always been a necessary accessory for brides. Unless you're getting married on the beach, hosiery is a must on your wedding day. And the great advantage to wearing thigh highs is, they allow you to “breathe”, even in hot and humid climates.
You'll want to pull your tights out when wearing your dresses in the cold winter months. It's best to pair your tights with boots or booties, and in some cases, pointed toe heels. Opt for a sheer pair of black tights so you can see some skin underneath.
The resurgence of black pantyhose is in line with Pinterest's 2023 trend predictions, announced on December 7, which included “Airy Styles” as one of next year's top fashion trends.
You may be asking, what color hose to wear with a black dress? Black sheers dress up black dresses, giving them a wow factor. It's the go-to choice for black dresses. Black nylons aren't just reserved for black dresses.
Burgundy, teal, navy would all go with a grey dress. With black boots and a grey dress, Plum or Burgundy tights look good. With the grey dress with neck detail, brown chunky boots with burnt orange tights or a similar shade to the neck detail.
Muscles contract when they get cold as a way of preserving energy. This means you must exert more force to move your muscles in the cold. Not using our contracted muscles increases stiffness, spasms, and cramps. Add slight dehydration during the winter, and you've got achy, tired legs.
Tight leggings under dresses work best. Looser leggings run the risk of making you look saggy. They do, however, work under a very loose, flowing dress. In this case, they should match in style and fabric, much the way a Punjabi suit does.
While we're all used to putting on tights when we wear our short party dresses out all through the winter, opting for a longer midi dress is another fresh option. For a cool layered look, add a chic overcoat, and for some texture, opt for subtly patterned tights.
A: A sheer toe is when the toe area of the stocking is as thin and fine as the visible part. A reinforced toe is when the stocking material around the toes is thicker and more durable so that the big toe will not … see more.
After numerous trend cycles of bare legs being a major theme on the runways, hosiery is returning to the spotlight—and in all forms. From tights and stockings to socks (of all heights) and even stocking-like things, hosiery has become a big part of 2023's trend conversation.
Otherwise, in terms of technique, I've found it's best to put them on slowly — take the leg opening and gather the fabric until all you've got is 3-4 inches of hose to put over your toes. As you step into the hose and pull them up your leg, un-bunch the fabric as you go, trying to pull the hose tight enough as you go.
Pantyhose (also known as tights) are sheer close fitting coverings of the body from the waist to the feet, most frequently worn by women. Like stockings they are usually made of nylon. The one-piece pantyhose garment appeared in the 1960s and provided a convenient alternative to stockings (nylons).
However, men continued to wear the Capris pants and tights until about the middle of the 1800's when the hems of men's trousers were lowered to cover just below men's ankles. Therefore, men no longer needed the tights.
Pantyhose were invented in the late 1950s and went on sale in 1959. They didn't become popular until the mid-1960s (thanks to the mini-skirt). They were revolutionary because women no longer needed to wear a girdle or garter belt.
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