Well, this turned out to be a topic that generated some chatter and certainly some votes in our poll, more than 5000!
WKW Opinion Poll
The most interesting thing in the poll for me is the number of voters willing to give pantyhose a try, I did not expect that. What have we learned other than personal preferences on the issue? A few things, especially that we use different names for what Kate wears:
- What are called nylons or pantyhose or hose in the US (primarily) are in many locales referred to as “tights,” particularly in the UK. As a rule in the US (I think), tights are what we wore to ballet, thicker, heavier, opaque (frequently colored) hose.
- Many readers seem to feel that if one is required to wear them, then whatever style/brand Kate is wearing looks pretty darn good
- Some readers hadn’t realized early in the tour Kate was wearing any hose, that’s how good the color and fit were
- the most offensive trait associated with ‘bad pantyhose of the 1980s’ is wearing them in colors significantly darker than the rest of your skin
- many pointed out that hose can help prevent blisters and other ailments associated with going barefoot in heels
As one might expect, the comments left by readers closely echoed the poll voting, providing an outstanding snapshot of how people feel about the topic in general.
Geography determines many local customs, including what is considered appropriate in this regard, as pointed out by Olga in her comment:
“Wow! When Mrs. Obama visited my country (Czech Republic, Europe) recently, everybody here was shocked that she DIDN’T wear stockings. There is a different dress code here, ladies have to wear stockings at formal occasions.”
Mina points out the custom in her part of the US:
“I would never wear skirts or dresses again if I had to wear pantyhose! I live in WA where they are not required or expected at all.”
The quality of stockings available may also depend on where you are located, our friends at Pigtown Design share something I had long suspected:
“…having lived in the usa and the uk, i think that they uk does tights/stockings WAY better than the usa. i found nude stockings over there that were miles better than here.”
Lee expressed a common sentiment:
“Love the look, can’t stand the feel. I will never willingly wear them again!”
Charlotte asked a good question in her comment:
“But the fashion industry have made those of us who choose feel like pariahs. Why?”
There were also a few comments making the point we could have used an additional category or two in the poll, including:
- “wear hose when necessary but prefer to go barelegged” from CKS
- “it really does depend on the occasion!” from Kristen
I wish I had thought to add those when constructing the pol, they are very goodl!
‘ImKindaCharlotte’ made an excellent comparison and contrast
“They called Diana, Princess of Wales, ‘modern’ because she didn’t wear hose for her first tour in Australia. They call Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, ‘old-fashioned’ because she wore hose for her first tour in North American. Since both women are considered stylish ladies then to wear or not to wear hose is really a personal preference.”
Jennifer also made a good point:
“But as Cecil Beaton said, “The truly fashionable are beyond fashion.” And as we witnessed these past two weeks, Kate Middleton wears more than clothes, she wears the air of confidence!!
Perhaps the most commonly shared belief is that regardless of whether one personally does/doesn’t wear them, the Duchess of Cambridge looked about as good as a human can look when wearing hose.
- “I haven’t worn hose since the 80s, but I love the way they look on Kate.” ‘Liz’
- “…she made the best of the situation and wore pairs that were sheer and comfortable.”
- “I think hers look great and will be wearing some the next time I wear a dress.” ‘Jo Anne’
- “Go Kate! Rock the hosiery!” Emily
Thank you to everyone who voted, and for all of the wonderful comments, it is a terrific topic, one I imagine we shall be discussing for some time to come.
Madison
Friday 16th of January 2015
Things have changed, a lot, since the 1980's (& before).
Set up a poll that features a non-model women's legs (waist down, showing part of the dress or skirt) in various heels, pumps, flats, etc. Same women, same shoes. One pic of her in sheer hosiery that matches her skin tone and one bare legged. Pics side by side. Then one with pics of a women in opaques (tights) and bare legged, same women, same shoes, same picture distance and angle. Do several of these, using the same women for the side by side comparison, in various combinations of skirts/dress, heels/flats/boots and hosiery, ultra-sheer to opaque, etc.
Do the poll without notifying the participant that it's a poll about hosiery (or bare legs), but start the poll featuring sheer (or ultra sheer) vs bare leg pics and then opaques vs bare leg. Some women (& men) will know right away what type of poll it is, but not all.
100% guaranteed, the majority of women & men will say the legs with hosiery look better, even though its the same (non-model) woman. And, most likely, the sheer hosiery would win the most "up" votes (vs the opaques). And, more than likely, a higher percentage of men (than women) will like the hosiery look in dresses and skirts vs. bare leg.
Hosiery completes the look. Legs looks better, smoother, more elegant, etc.
Bare legs are...well, bare. Great for shorts, great for swimsuits, great for wearing with flip flops. You know, the casual or beach scene look. Not so great for paring with dresses or skirts. Looks incomplete and too raw when matches with a dress or skirt.
Besides, there are so many new types, new technology out there since prior to the 90's. The sheer/ultra sheer skin tones look far more natural and appealing than before. As a bonus, there are of course many options for giving the appearance that you've lost a dress size (tummy control, especially with high waist, bum lifting, leg messaging, etc). There are even some that are made specifically for hotter climates such as the Silkies 65 Degree Control Top Sheer Pantyhose (in regular & toe-less). There are even hosiery that have a G-string affect made by Trasparenze (& others), if your into that and anti cellulite hosiery made by Solidea (& others).
Like Kate Middleton, Beyoncé and many of the younger 20 somethings from Disney, many more young and middle aged women should take notice that hosiery just looks better with dresses and skirts and has come a very long way in the last decade or so!
randy
Friday 29th of May 2015
love pantyhose and tights even though being male I always wear not for fetish reasons just love them as a article of clothing I don't wear openly because of society's ridicule only takes a few to ruin it but I tend to lean towards the high gloss ones
What I Wore Sunday: Polyester Is Underrated | This Felicitous Life
Sunday 5th of May 2013
[...] so I’m including them in here.) Two of the “other” responders pointed out that Princess Kate wears them regularly, which I was happy to be reminded [...]
Dave
Friday 30th of September 2011
I am a single guy who likes to see a well-dressed woman. I like the conservative type of clothing (not showing a lot of cleavage, etc.). A big part of the style is the pantyhose. Ever since elementary school, girls wearing pantyhose have always drawn my attention. It seems to set them apart.
I have seen several pictures of Kate in some sharp looking hose. Hopefully this discussion will encourage more women to return to the day they wear pantyhose more often. It also makes you all look more professional in the business setting. After all, we men usually can't expose our legs, hot weather or not.
On the flip side, I do understand one reason why many of you do not want or like to wear them. A couple of years ago, I started to work at an office with my desk located next to a cold and drafty window. I caught several colds. I tried thermals under my dress slacks, but they were too thick. Someone suggested I wear pantyhose underneath. After a couple of weeks delay and being reminded of it, I finally tired it. They worked quite well. I was much warmer and had fewer colds.
Not having a girlfriend or wanting anyone to find out, I have been driving to another city and making the purchase as quickly as possible. It is embarrassing being seen even by strangers shopping for them. Not paying much attention to what I was buying, I found many of the hose are scratchy and uncomfortable; but others are not bad at all.
I am still no expert, but I believe you just need to watch what you buy. Perhaps someday I will have a girlfriend who can help me, even if it is just passing down here runs. Regardless ladies, please consider wearing them more often.
Kim Scales
Sunday 28th of August 2011
I consider hose a necessary part of being truly dressed up. However, I am also 51, and my girls wear tights (mostly black in winter) but rarely hose. I love tights and hose, plus my shoes would be unbearable without them. Rarely, I can find hose with the toes out. When, I visit my brother in Kirkland, WA, lots of ladies wear footless tights, which look super cute with skirts etc. I love red tights with gray wool, and low boots. I love the cute tights in patterns, esp. black, and my favorite brand is HUE, very classy.
Notenufcash
Monday 22nd of August 2011
A little jest about how most WOMEN feel:
Pippa Luvstocking
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8303831/pippa_luvstocking.html?cat=46