Do you wear pantyhose?

[lindrusso]

Mamasue's thread has me wondering how many of us wear pantyhose?

Personally, I hate them and actually I avoid wearing dresses and skirts whenever possible anyway. :o As a SAHM, that's pretty easy to do.

It's not about how they look for me, it's about how they feel. I cannot stand the feel of nylon against my skin. When I worked in retail and panythose of some sort were a must, I would wear tights whenever I could get away with it. Tights felt so much better because of the cotton and lycra. I also liked the funky look that tights gave to outfits. I also hate the way the cost a lot and almost always run on me after the first wear. ARGH!

When I started to notice that pantyhose were definitely out, you'd think that I was overjoyed, but it felt weird to go bare-legged! I'm more used to it now and certainly enjoy it in the summer, but I did chicken out of going bare-legged to a wedding last year. I was wearing a black dress and my legs were too pale, so I had to wear pantyhose.

So what about you? :)

Alysha

[TamiKnight]

I wear them if I'm going to something very, very dressy (not often). Other than that, I make it a point to buy dresses long enough that I can wear them with knee-hi's (I know, not exactly sexy, but functional). Since I'm 5'10", it's sometimes a challenge to find dresses that long, but I won't buy them if they're not--at least not for everyday use. If I do buy something shorter, I try to be sure it's something I can wear with a nice pair of sandals.

I hate pantyhose because they're just too hot to wear here most of the year. I absolutely hate that sticky, sweaty feeling encasing me from waist to toes. And if you have to go to the bathroom, then try to get them back on straight when you're hot and sweaty....forget it!

And shall we address the expense? That's what really got me started on the move away from pantyhose. I couldn't stand spending anywhere from $3 to $10 a pair, and I was lucky if I could wear them more than once or twice without a snag or a run. When I did office work (as opposed to teaching) I wore them every day. Man, did they ever eat up my budget!

The last time I bought a pair was about three years ago--and they're still in the package. I don't miss them--not at all.

[lorilei]

In the summer I'll often go barelegged -- but generally not for very FORMAL occasions. I'm an unapologetically pale girl, but I'll admit to using selfless tanner here and there when my legs look just too white against a skirt.

I wear pantyhose without a fight, when they're appropriate. I prefer tights... but pantyhose have a place. I honestly never even THOUGHT about pantyhose being EVIL until a friend mentioned it to me one day that she just hated the things.

I'm not fond of scratchy, cheap pantyhose :) But if you buy me a nice pair, I don't have many feelings about them whatsoever.

[beejayw1]

I chose 'fairly often'. I don't wear them under slacks (generally; depends on the slacks) and certainly not under chinos or jeans.

I think they keep me cooler in the summer. Go figure.

[RebeccaT]

Obligatory other here. I am somewhere between "Not if I can help it" and "Never, I hate them." I don't hate them. I suppose if it seemed that I *had* to wear them, I would. But I haven't felt like I absolutely had to in such a long time...

Before WW, I would wear them not for how they made my legs look, but for the control top. :o I needed it to give me a smooth look under dresses. I feel much more comfortable now wearing fitted things without a control top, and I just feel frumpy when I wear hose! So I go without.

[beckms]

The only time I even come close to wearing them is when I wear knee-highs under dressy pants or a long skirt, and that's only because I don't like wearing dress shoes without something to protect my skin against the shoe (but not with open-toed shoes! I like my toes nekkid!). I'll wear thigh-highs if I have too (only in dire situations), but you'll never ever again see me wearing the "panty" part of the hose. I love what Tamiknight said about putting them back on in the bathroom!

Wake up and smell the nylon, ladies...when are we going to stop being so ashamed of our bodies and get out there and enjoy ourselves? When was the last time you were thrown out of a party for having pale legs???

:D

[LaraW]

I used to have to wear them a lot at the place I used to work, but I don't anymore. In fact, I had a thing at work I had to dress up for, and actually had to stop at the store to buy some hose on my way to work because I didn't have any! :o :p

I work in a casual environment, so when I do wear a skirt or dress in the summertime, I have sandals on, so no hose. I will wear them if the occasion calls for it, but only then.

[catharine]

Unfortunately, despite hating them, I wear them almost every day. I wear suits to work everyday, and usually that means a skirt suit and I wouldn't dare go without hose (as a lawyer working at the courthouse).

However, I often wear pantsuits, especially in the winter, and love wearing knee-highs.

My biggest objection is the waistband on pantyhose. It is so binding. I can't stand control top - ugh!

[Beth H]

I wear pantyhose in the winter sometimes (once or twice a month), but never in the summer.

I really like thigh-high pantyhose (only with longer skirts, of course!).

Generally I dislike nylons, dislike how much they cost, and dislike how they look after you wash them!

[lorilei]

Originally posted by beckms
Wake up and smell the nylon, ladies...when are we going to stop being so ashamed of our bodies and get out there and enjoy ourselves? When was the last time you were thrown out of a party for having pale legs???

:D

I can absolutely appreciate this sentiment :)

Truth is, I don't wear pantyhose much in the summer (for the pale legs thang)... but moreso in the winter, when tights are inappropriate. The darn things keep my legs warm!! :D

[badunnin]

I wear them quite often in the winter. I love love love the tummy flattening power of them!

[linsleyd]

The last time I wore nylons was for a friends engagement party two years ago. I took them off halfway through the party and threw them in the trash because I coudn't stand how they felt. Before that I wore them for my wedding (which to this day I don't understand because the only person looking under my dress was DH!):D

I just enjoy my pale legs and could care less about what it looks like! And in the winter if I wear a skirt which I rarely do (in the winter) I wear tights.

[KristinK]

My first thought was "Never! I hate them!" until I saw the option for "No, I never have a need to wear them."

As much as I love skirts and dresses, there are two reasons why I rarely wear them: 1) I work in the construction business; and 2) I'm always cold (right now I have on pants and a sweater even though it's a muggy 85° out :eek: - although I've never resorted to wearing pantyhose under pants for extra warmth). On weekends in the summer when I do wear skirts, I always go barelegged and show off my tan. This past winter, however, I did have two special occasions - and I chose to wear thigh-highs ;)

And really, I don't *hate* pantyhose, but I do prefer not to wear them. Four years of suffering with the cheap kind under the strict dress code of my high school was enough for me, thank you very much.

[hlao23]

perfect wording for responses. When I saw the question, my first though was "not if I can help it".

I love wearing dresses (mainly b/c it's hard to find pants that are long enough) but only wear them in the summer b/c I don't like to wear hose. My gripe is the sagging crotch. I actually prefer stockings as it eliminates that problem. I also don't particularly like the way they look - except for black hose. Ooh...and I love ones that have the seam up the back.

[gertdog]

What Rebecca said. :)

I have probably worn hose twice in the past year. If that.

[Wendy w]

As I said in Mamasue's thread: I am proud to say that I have not worn them in about 4 years and will never again in this lifetime. Why suffer?:rolleyes: Life's too short. I am lucky enough to work in a casual environment where they don't require them. If faced with the need to wear business attire, I will wear a pantsuit or a long skirt that I can wear kneehighs with.

Tami has so eloquently expressed my sentiments about the sweaty encasings. I wish to add that I am 5'4 and in between size A & B on the size charts. When I used to buy size A, they would be a bit tight and I would get holes in the panty part within a wearing or two. :rolleyes: :mad: If I would buy size B, they would be too long and bag. :mad: :mad: I just say good riddence to them and as I said in Mamasue's thread, they are great for staking tomato plants. A co-worker uses them for dying Easter eggs. ;)

[Jessica]

I voted "not if I can help it." I usually do not need to dress up for work, but if I have to dress up I usually wear nylons because bare legs don't look dressy to me. I always wear stockings or tights if I have to wear a skirt in the winter because otherwise I would freeze.

[shoefling]

I will wear hose if I need to but I prefer not too. I agree with what many others have posted. They are not cheap, and the cheap ones are not comfortable at all! I hate the waistband and how they don't breathe. I also seem to get a run in every pair the first time I wear them. So I try to go bare legged when ever I can. I work in a hospital and wear scrubs so there is no need to wear hose there. Although I should invest in some good knee high support hose since I am on my feel alot!

[Valerie226]

Used to have to wear them on the job when I wore suits/dresses. I got downsized out of that job in the early 90's. that was the last time I wore them & plan on never wearing them again if possible. even then I wore pants much of the time with knee highs. expensive, uncomfortable, nasty things! I remember growing up & nylons with panty girdle or garter belt. That was a special place in hell many younger women will not appreciate. pantyhose is delightful compared to that! If I HAD to wear a dress or suit again I would wear them, but I can see no circumstances that would require that.

[lorilei]

All of you non-pantyhose people will appreciate our post-prom tradition in high school.

We'd always have a big bonfire at a friend's house post-prom -- and we'd burn our nylons!

I don't think this was really the rebellious act that it seemed to be (the nylons were just holey and worn by the end of the night), but it was great fun. They actually melt into an oblivion when thrown into a fire. :)

Unfortunately we probably also inhaled enough weird chemical pantyhose fumes to curse us to early deaths...:rolleyes:

[MrsReber]

Not that I'm overly fond of them, but I do wear them each day for work. I was always taught that dressing for work meant wearing pantyhose. I hate buying them, but I currently have them delivered to my house every 6 weeks from a mail order company. It costs me $20 for four pairs and that's about all I need. I didn't wear them during either of my maternity leaves so I have quite a few pairs in reserve! By the end of the day, I'm ready for them to come off. I do like the way the control top ones keep me from jiggling, though!

[Kayaksoup]

I used to have to wear them for work. I would go through about one pair a day. Very expensive. So I wore pants most of teh time:D Now I wear them once in a while. I think the last time was my grandparents 50th anniversary a few years a go:)

[vbak]

I voted once in awhile. I hate those things; after 2 hours my mid-section looks like a sausage!:D

Vicky

[Jill123]

I'm actually wearing them today, but only because it's becoming a big deal around the office that I NEVER wear them.

And I wear skirts all the time in the summer -- with no hose.

I'm not very tan, either. I'm pretty d@mn pale, actually. It's just more comfortable without hose -- who cares who goes blind looking at my legs in the daylight, right? :D

[AndreaU]

Only if I HAVE to... weddings and other formal occasions.

As 5th grade teacher, I'm albe to dress pretty casually most of the time. When I do dress up, it's usually in pants or long skirts/dresses. Therefore, I can get away with either knee highs or nothing at all.

It's so nice not to have to wear them every day- not as many runs and no daily washings (and hangings in the shower, which DH hates!) and I find it's cooler in warm weather to go without.

[d_ferrero]

I'm in the "only if I have to" (but I often have to, with work) category. Does anyone else have difficulty putting the *(&#*$&# things ON? Maybe I'm half asleep in the morning, but I find about 30% of the time they twist up as I'm putting them on, making them even more uncomfortable than they're designed to be.

[Mamasue]

Alysha....I voted "No, I never need to wear them". It is very, very rare that I wear dresses or skirts because of job which is not in a professional setting and at home no need to wear them with jeans. When I was working in a professional setting I wore pants suits/outfits because they were comfortable for me sitting at a computer all day long. When I do wear casual pants/pants suits then its knee highs for me.

I now have had an eye waking experience with nylons and open toe shoes!! :D :p

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by beckms
when are we going to stop being so ashamed of our bodies and get out there and enjoy ourselves? When was the last time you were thrown out of a party for having pale legs???
:D

I don't think it's so much being ashamed, I just don't like the way my skin looked against the dark dress. If it had been a different color dress, I don't think I would have had an issue with it. I don't give a fig what other people think, but I do like to be comfortable with what I see in the mirror.

The paleness of the legs also comes into play for short people. The contrast of pale skin and a black dress tends to really chop you up and make you look even shorter. Having all black from head to toe tends to elongate and make you look taller.

Now I suppose someone's going to say that I should just be comfortable with being short, though huh? :p :D :) ;)

Alysha

[RebeccaT]

Originally posted by lindrusso
Now I suppose someone's going to say that I should just be comfortable with being short, though huh? :p :D :) ;)


You won't be hearing that from me, dear heart! I am 5'3" (although I tell people I am 5'4" for some reason :o ) and DH is over a foot taller than I am! :p

[Grace]

I already answered this on the other thread, but I hate them and never wear them. Yuck. I almost always go bare-legged, and I too am very white, so I self-tan and I feel very good like that. In winter I wear more pants, and then I'll wear knee-high opaques and boots (I don't bother with pumps in the Chicago winters - schlepping around in the snow and ice in pumps is always a disaster).

If you read In Style magazine or watch any of the TV shows, red carpet fashions or even the soaps, you'll see that no one wears hose anymore. Except for maybe the occasional patterened hose or fishnet as a fashion statement.

Alysha, do you know the actress Rebecca Budig from All My Children (she plays Greenlee) - she can't be more than 5'1" and she never wears hose either. She does have tan legs, I'll admit, but she always looks adorable in her skirts and suits with her high heels. I wish I looked that good and I'm quite a bit taller! :D

[cindyluwho]

I never wear pantyhose, and it has never occured to me to wear it! However, I wear tights all the time in the winter because I mostly wear long dresses and skirts throughout the winter and it's COLD in Boston. But it looks very silly to me to wear pantyhose, especially the skin colored kind, and I don't see any point to wearing it. If it's warm enough for my legs to be showing, then it's warm enough for them not to be covered by pantyhose! Although I have to admit that I wish that I had a pair of pantyhose lying around because I read that you can stretch it over your camera lens and mimic a diffusion filter! I wanted to try this but I'm not going to go buy a pair of pantyhose just for this purpose. Anyone decide to ditch the pantyhose and want to send me a pair? :D Just kidding.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by Grace
Alysha, do you know the actress Rebecca Budig from All My Children (she plays Greenlee) - she can't be more than 5'1" and she never wears hose either. She does have tan legs, I'll admit, but she always looks adorable in her skirts and suits with her high heels. I wish I looked that good and I'm quite a bit taller! :D

Yes, well, if I had even near the body that Rebecca does, I'd wouldn't worry about anything I wore! ;) :D I think Susan Lucci is also quite petite, but again....the body. And she's in her 50s - how in the world does she do it? And somehow they never look so short on TV?! :)

I'm 5'1", Rebecca, so you're tall to me! :D

Alysha

[lorilei]

Originally posted by Grace
If you read In Style magazine or watch any of the TV shows, red carpet fashions or even the soaps, you'll see that no one wears hose anymore. Except for maybe the occasional patterened hose or fishnet as a fashion statement.


Hmph. So, I guess the rest of us are just fashion rejects then.

How VERY disappointing. :)

[RebeccaT]

Originally posted by lindrusso

I'm 5'1", Rebecca, so you're tall to me! :D

oooh, say it again! No one ever calls me tall! :p

[sunberst]

panty hose- hate them! never wear them!

i go bare legged in the summer time. if it is in the fall or winter, i will wear tights from time to time. tights are not the same as panty hose in my opinion. mostly i just wear boots if i am wearing a skirt in cool weather.

i think what bothers me most is those "sun tan" colored panty hose that women wear. especially when the rest of their body is not sun tanned. it looks weird to me. something else that bothers me is when women wear nude panty hose with open-toe sandals. i dont like how the toes look webbed together. oh, i also hate white panty hose. ew. as you can see, i have very adverse feelings towards this topic. :)

[Melman]

I picked 'depends on what I'm wearing'. I have to add that it really depends on the weather. In the winter and fall, I almost always wear pantyhose. I really like the look much better when I do wear then than when I don't. I like wearing sandals in warm weather (and we already know it's tabboo to wear pantyhose with sandals), so I go without at that time of the year.

I wear Smooth Illusions by Hanes and LOVE the way they fit. There's never any bagging or drooping. You put those babies on and everything stays in place and doesn't dare to jiggle!! :D

[mbrogier]

I chose once in a while, but only if I can't help it...I only wear them with short skirts when my legs are looking especially pasty or I need to be a little dressy. I wear hose more often in the winter because they keep my legs warm. I buy my hose at TJMaxx because that have great brands like Calvin Klein, but the prices are really low. I try to get colors that are realistic...I too don't believe taupe or suntan are very attractive. (We've all seen office workers with cheap short suits from Kmart with suntan panty hose, white pumps and fried permed hair :D ) Sometimes I cut the elastic in the waistband in a few places--I learned that from my mom. ;)

[MKSquared]

In cooler months, I'll wear skirts with boots all the time, and to me, that just screams for tights. :) I can't remember the last pair of nylons I bought. (They're nylons to me because I can't get myself to use the "p" word, even with "hose" following it.)

I'm having flashbacks to show choir, where we all wore the same suntan colored nylons under our sequined dresses - with our "greenies" (dance pants? bloomers?) under them. Wow. What a sight, I'm sure.

[CompassRose]

Tights in wintertime, black ones. We artsy types need our black tights. In summer, pallid, naked, unabashedly hairy legs. I think I fail the girlie test. :eek:

I have occasionally worn hose on stage. Bleah.

[kwormann]

I like tights with skirts in the (what passes for) winter, but HATE panty hose!!!

[lakelady1]

Those of you who HATE pantyhose may not realize what a god-send they are -- "stockings" used to require garter belts or girdles (even if you were a skinny little junior high girl). So, I wear pantyhose a lot; but not when I'm in open-toed shoes which is most of the summer.

[hlao23]

Funny...I actually prefer garter belts and stockings to hose...no sagging crotch. Unfortunately, with most of my dresses, you can see the garters so I'm stuck with regular hose...still, not that I wear them often.

[AmyO26]

Like several of you, I don't mind wearing tights, but nylons give me the willies...especially those "tan" colored ones! If I have to wear hose it's either nude or black. In the fall/winter, I like to wear black, navy, or charcoal grey tights.
Amy

[LGBurns]

Okay, this thread has pulled me out of retirement (that and my need to procrastinate from planning for fall--I just can't quite admit that it's coming soon). I chose "once in a while but not if I can help it." The only time I ever wear hose is when I am getting really, really dressed up (formal dress, etc.) and then it is black hose only (never, ever flesh colored). The summer before last (when I was still working in law firms not schools) I invested in several pairs of ped stockings. Since then I never wear hose--instead I go bare legged and use the peds to protect my feet (which otherwise would get blisters and rashes from wearing leather shoes barefoot). This summer I have a great pair of mules that actually fit and don't give me a rash (a rare thing for me) so I have been wearing them when I go out. The one thing I do like about hose is (as Bridget Jones aptly states) the "tummy-holding-in" quality "popular with Grannies the world over." While not a Granny, my tummy is a tad protruding and the control top certainly helps. :rolleyes:

[KristinK]

Originally posted by mbrogier
(We've all seen office workers with cheap short suits from Kmart with suntan panty hose, white pumps and fried permed hair :D )
Bad image. Baaaadddd.

[LGBurns]

Originally posted by CompassRose
Tights in wintertime, black ones. We artsy types need our black tights.

Oh! That's right, forgot about tights. Quite a bit of tight-wearing for me in the winter, but only cotton tights--anything else itches like crazy! I guess I have sensitive skin.

[cindyluwho]

Hey, this is a bit off topic but along the lines of interesting uses for pantyhose besides an improvised diffusion filter, another interesting use I read about was for storing onions...you toss in an onion, tie a knot, then toss in another, tie a knot, etc until the legs are filled. This supposedly prevents the onions from going bad since they are completely aerated and not touching one another. You just cut them off one by one when you want to use them. I haven't tried this since I don't have any pantyhose lying around, but if someone does, let me know if it works! I always get moldy onions because I don't use them fast enough.

[katze99]

I work at a place, where I can wear pants. In winter, I wear pantyhose under my pants on cold days for warmth. But I usually put on a pair of cotton socks on top of them. So nobody sees the pantyhose. They don't look good with my flat, comfortable shoes.