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Au naturale: U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama (right) and Emily K. Rafferty, president of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. "I stopped wearing pantyhose a long time ago," said First Lady Michelle Obama last summer on The View, "because it was painful and they'd always rip. And I'm 5'11", so I'm tall, nothing fits... Pet 'em on, rip 'em. It's inconvenient."
• See also: Fashion experts share some helpful hosiery know-how
When it comes to the great pantyhose divide, there’s no straddling the line — on this side, women, who cling to stockings, and one the other, those who swear by going bare.
In the latter’s corner sits the fashion industry, which has long declared pantyhose verboten – too frumpy, too fake, too old-fashioned.
“The bare leg look I really trace to the early to mid-’90s,” says Kendall Farr, author of Style Evolution: How to Create Ageless Personal Style in Your 40s and Beyond, “when everything really started this tectonic shift from very dressed, very label-y, very accessorized and hyper-coordinated to something really stripped down, very vintage-inspired and meant to be much more real.”
Real? The reality, some women say, is that pantyhose can camouflage a multitude of imperfections – like a good foundation enhances a slightly flawed complexion.
“Stockings are makeup for the legs” was a refrain that Maryellen Murphy, a Stuart consultant in her 40s, often heard from her mother.
And just as some women wouldn’t dream of leaving the house without lipstick, some gals – even in sweltering South Florida – feel that dresses and skirts demand the finish that only a fine-denier stocking can provide.
“Stockings really add polish to a look,” Murphy says.
What exactly constitutes “polish” may no longer be universally defined, but the desire for a great pair of gams is universal, says Clinton Kelly, co-host of TLC’s What Not to Wear.
“On our show, most women don’t want to wear pantyhose, but they do want perfect – or close to perfect – legs,” he says.
Kelly and most stylists suggest forgoing hose in favor of moisturizers with bronzing properties, such as Jergens Natural Glow, and for issues such as spider or varicose veins, products like Dermablend Leg & Body Cover Foundation.
In the end, Kelly says, “Pantyhose are completely up to the individual. They’re still socially acceptable.”
THE PANTYHOSE PANEL: Is it sheer madness to thing you can replace hose? We asked pantyhose putists to try a few stylist-recommended alternatives to stockings.
Donna Brosemer: A 58-year-old project manager from Palm Beach Gardens
• Her hose: L’eggs Sheer Energy (‘They’re much better than expensive brands!’ she says.)
• Tested Per-fekt Body Perfection Gel ($48 for 3 oz., Sephora, available in three shades)
• What the product claims: ‘Per-fekt Body Perfection Gel is a multi-functional ‘skin perfector’ for the body, body treatment, and sun-kissed glow in one.’
• What Donna thought: She praised the product’s color and smooth application. However, ‘it is only a bronzer, so it has to be reapplied daily, which I wouldn’t do – especially at this price!’
• Will she give up her hose? No way. “Pantyhose not only smooth out a multitude of lumps, bumps and discolorations, they polish the look. Even with bronzer, it is still apparent that the legs are bare and are therefore ‘casual.’ This makes my legs look better with a sundress – but not with a suit.”
Joan Grossman: A ’59 years old and holding’ benefits fair coordinator from West Palm Beach
• Her hose: Hanes Silk Reflections
• Tested Cover fX’s SkinTint FX liquid foundation ($42 for 1 oz. at Nordstrom.com, choice of five shades)
• What the product claims: ‘Achieves a healthy and natural-looking sunkissed glow by mimicking natural melanin formation and thus always looks natural, never orange, on skin.’
• What Joan thought: ‘To my surprise, I actually liked the results. The liquid cover-up went on easily and made my legs look soft, and also flawless.’
• Will she give up her hose? Yes. ‘I would definitely use the liquid instead of panty hose, especially for those hot Florida outdoor functions.’
Janice Mellion: A 59-year-old retired secretary to speaker of the house in New Jersey and the attorney general in New Jersey, from Wellington
• Her hose: Hanes (‘If I want my legs to look good in a dress, I absolutely have to wear them,’ she says.)
• Tested DuWop’s Revolotion ($28 for 4 oz. at beauty.com)
• What the product claims: ‘An amazing breakthrough blend of moisturizers, SPF 15 and sheer body makeup that leaves skin sexy and glowing.’
• What Janice thought: The Revolotion directions don’t say anything about waiting to get dressed … After Janice applied the lotion, she let it dry for an hour before donning a white dress … luckily, the bronzer came off in the wash. ‘I tried it on my face, and it was OK. But the legs were not good unless you’re going to stay naked and not sit down.’
• Will she give up her hose? ‘Uh, no.’
Maryellen Murphy: A 40-something president of a consulting group from Stuart
• Her hose: Calvin Klein Hosiery
• Tested Judith August The Everything Pencil ($15 at drugstore.com, comes in six shades)
• What the product claims: ‘With a few quick strokes, you can cover facial lines and wrinkles, or conceal dark circles under the eyes. It also works on brown spots on the hands or spider veins on the legs.’
• What Maryellen thought: ‘It may certainly camouflage a small spot, some discoloration or tiny bruise for women who aren’t as pale as I am, but I have too many little capillaries beginning to show that are so easily and beautifully covered with a sheer stocking.’
Will she give up her hose? Probably not. ‘I’m looking for overall sheer coverage versus concealing just a spot or two.’When it comes to the great pantyhose divide, there’s no straddling the line – on this side, women who cling to stockings, and on the other, those who swear by going bare.
got to be flawless, Pantyhose is pretty throw back. step up the game and be natural. Church and all, were in a recession.
Pantyhose are jail cells for legs! I spent over 30 years wearing them in Florida – I much prefer “free” legs!
I do believe Michelle and a lot of other women in the public eye should wear stockings. It is proper and a finished look. I am not that old but it is still a good look. I also think people on the Today show and other shows should wear stockings.
The really SAD part of this kind of discussion is that everyone I see when we go out, seems to be just too damned lazy to “dress’, and it is across the board, men and women alike. Women don’t wear stockings or pantyhose when they are supposedly “dressed up” and most men dress like pigs when they go out………even to a dressy or semi formal event. When a woman wears ‘flip flops’ to church, what does that tell you about the lazy ass mentality in American society……My tuxedo is not comfortable per se but I want to look ‘formal’ when required. and I wear long ‘over the calf’ socks when I wear dress pants. The truth is that women just are too lazy to dress appropriately ………..and want to call it ‘uncomfortable”. BUT………..every woman I know………wants to be noticed and be attractive…………Figure that one out.
If you are thinking about a woman’s “lazy ass mentality” at church, then perhaps you’ve missed the whole point of going to church. I doubt God or whoever is your higher being really wants you to focus on other people’s attire – you should probably leave the judging to God.
I agree that people should take care in how they look, but there is an enormous distinction between flips flops to church and not wearing pantyhose. Stockings are no longer as practical as they used to be because fashions have become less modest in the last twenty years. I’m not advocating dressing like a hooker, but to me it seems a little odd to wear a dress that bares my arms, while insisting my legs are covered. In the winter, tights are an important part of my wardrobe, but it’s really not appropriate to wear hosiery with everything.
I am disappointed on Michelle Obama’s overall attire. She
does not dress like a firt lady and she not only needs to wear pantyhose but I feel she should wear her clothing long enough to cover her knees when she sits down. She also need a daily
professional hairdresser. She doesn’t look her best in front of the camera
SHE IS JUST TOO CASHUAL AND HAS NO CLASS!!!
As a man, I think the look of pantyhose is extremely attractive. I prefer it much more than a tanned, flawless, set of legs. Plus I think with a formal business attire, or everyday street wear, the offset of colors can enhance style of one’s style.
Opps, type-o:
can enhance the look of one’s style. **
From a man’s veiwpoint, there’s no better veiw that a nice pair of legs with sheer pantyhose – and a hint of slip as well – al little shiny silk hem with lace…..clasy & sexy
I’ll wear them occasionally — not too much in South Florida though — with the heat and you have a great tan anyway. L’eggs Sheer Energy a must. They make your legs look sexier. Of course, you never wear them with open-toed shoes — even if they have a sheertoe. And, you never wear them over an anklet.
Wake up people! If you pick up a Vogue or any contemporary fashion magazine you will realize hose are done. They may be makeup for the legs but if you want to look like you are in 2009 you go without. We don’t wear girdle anymore..same deal
Uh, what do you think Spanx are? Yes, we still wear girdles, we just call them something else. Undergarments are not the same as hosiery.
Hose are lame and any dude who likes them is either old or foreign…or foreign and old. Old men and old women still like/rock the hose…..time to get out of 1980
K I can see you never were around in the good days. As you say nylons are lame. You probably don’t have a sensual part about you. Sounds like you like todays woman full of tatoos,flip flops,and rap. You probably have never been overseas where fashion rules nor left the town where you live. Sounds like you could never respect the great music the so many bands the so sexy woman and the way they dressed. You would think you died and went to heaven if you were around then. Boy are you lost.
Great comment, Lou…………..and “K” sounds just like another of the “street talking” losers. Good for you, sir.
He is certainly lost.
Well, you sound like someone who should know…………”lame” and ‘dude’ pretty much tells me just whom you are and where you come from………..’Dude’ ! You’re a fashion designer, right ?
Go back to the getto, “dude”
Of course nothing beats a great pair of legs, all natural. If a woman’s legs are not perfect, but she wants to go for the same look, then please oh please put on a pair of stockings. BUT, save black stockings for lingerie and do not wear tan stockings if your not tan, it just looks ridiculous.
As a man who grew up in the sixty’s I can say nylons are the best thing could ever happen for a woman. I can say that a pair of nylons do so much for a womans legs. The beautiful look,the different colors and sexy sheen they give. Let alone to touch and feel them. I see so many woman dressed up really nice without nylons and doesn’t look good at all. I had a lady I dated that never really wore nylons and started wearing them because she new how much I enjoyed them. She made a statement to me as to thanking me for the fact of she never felt so feminine befoe. She never realized she could fell so good about herself. Everytime I see her when I am out she has her nylons on and thanks me for something she never thought could make her feel so good. One of the comments were if you want to look like your in 2009 don’t wear them. Now you want to say if your a woman in 2009 you need to have a Tattoo or several. I think Tattoo’s on woman are disgusting. How do you look in a mirror when you get up in age and say thats cool? Look at today’s music compared to the sixty’s along with the way woman dressed. Hot Pants,Mini Skirts,Gogo boots,nylons, garders and stocking. Those days were the best they could ever be and sad to say will never be back again. Todays woman growing up never knew what being sensuous back in the day was like. All in all a lady who doesn’t wear nylons is undressed period end.
I personally think older women, who are more traditional, prefer pantyhose. The younger crowd prefers bare legs. How’s that for generalization? Of course, there’s always exceptions, but for the most part, this is what my friends, most co-workers, and I have observed in the working world.
Want everyone to know you’re over 40? Wear pantyhose.
Oh, my God ! Well, we wouldn’t want anyone to know that you are over 40 !
Oh, my God ! Well, we wouldn’t want that.
Jane J, I love your comment and you just answered my question. My girls and I have not worn nylons for years (I just turned 47). I am going to a wedding next weekend and was just making sure no nylons was still in style. I will use some shimmer for my tanned legs. My arms are not perpect and I don’t put hose on them. I will have on pointed toe pumps and the hubs likes that A LOT.
I’m 29 and I do not prefer bare legs. Pantyhose is the way to go to look professional, and sexy. Definitely not thigh highs, that is trashy.
You guys like panty hose so much? You wear them! Try a pair while you’re mowing the yard…no riding mowers allowed. Try them in a car in So. Fla with no air conditioning. Try them with a couple of toddlers trying to climb up onto your lap.
I think there is more to talk about than pantyhose wake up people!
Pantyhose are the sexiest thing on the planet!!! I think about pantyhose (on women ) every hour of every day. And i wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hell no! I moved to Florida 13 years ago from New York and vowed to NEVER wear pantyhose again. Living here always gives us a tan so pantyhose are NOT needed, and besides, it’s too hot to wear them
It may be a generational thing, but younger generations have never gotten everything right! So, young people today should look at hose and consider covering up … the legs I’ve see around — far far from perfect – even those younger gals.
Note to Jennifer: Girdles are now called “spanx” and most women would do well to consider them. Florida women of all ages THINK they look a lot better than they really do and use the weather as an excuse to be slobs. Notice all the tights, and dark and textured pantyhose being shown? They’re ba-a-ck. And check out the notes from the guys. I’ll dress for them over tacky young women anytime! You guys are the best!
Maybe someone should send this to the high school principals of Palm Beach County, many of whom require that females wear stockings for graduation, even though they are already sweltering under the cap and long gown. What’s with that?
I dont really have an opinion on wheter women should wear pantyhose or not..Im not a woman and have never worn them and never will, so I cant offer an opinion, but, the company I work at, the largest employer in the area with offices in Juno Beach, recently put out a company wide email in regards to the dress code, and I think it was put out mainly for women.
I agree with most of you that the older women are wearing pantyhose, while the younger women are not, but it seems that all of them seem to wear sleeveless shirts, weekend type clothing, inapprioriate footwear, and the thing I hate to see the most at work, THONG UNDERWEAR…..again it seems to be the younger women who dress like they are either heading to or coming from the latest social engagement, or the cougars who are trying to compete with them….
She’s got great legs and skin…no need for pantyhose…especially not during the summer.
And Mary, that’s insane that they make you wear all of that under your cap and gown. I graduated high school, college, and grad school in South Carolina and Lousiana, and never wore more than my swimsuit and a pair of flip flops under my cap and gown….way too hot at summertime graduations to do all that.
you ladies are sssooooooooooooo spoiled here 1st its burn the bra’s now its the hose. Wake up and quit being so selfish….the ladies, notice how I said ladies not spoiled ass females!! around the globe wear them (hose) right now and have been wearing them, its just the spoiled lazy american way. Think about us guys who wear suites with jackets in the summer do you hear us saying I’m not wearing a tie or this jacket any more because I want to walk around like a bum so I want be hot when I go some were nice. And another sore subject I am going to get on is these freaking flipflops have fun wearing them now because in yrs. down the road you are going to pay for it, hope you like leg problems were your DR. is going to tell YOU(the woman who hates to wear them ) to wear medical support hose when you get older. Then you will be wearing them about 10-12 hrs a day 7 days a week !!!! And how would it look if a man in a buisness suite showed up for work in flipflops or went somewere important in a suite and flipflops that is a no brainer, wake up !!!! and stop judging people …you tell people I would not be caught dead in them hose. maybe they will do the same thing to you when the DR. makes you wear them!!!!
I still feel that women wearing pantyhose enhances the looks of the legs making them look classy, professional, feminine, and attractive. Even though I am not much into bare legs, they do have a place, and that is if they are tanned and smooth, and women have the legs to pull it off.
I don’t know why Americans are making a big deal of this great pantyhose debate. All I hear from this debate is more hose bashing from those who don’t like wearing them, and making derogatory comments when they see other women wearing hose, such as “pantyhose is dead”, “hose is for grannies”, “pantyhose are made by the devil,”, and “eeewwwwwww, pantyhose.” Around the world in Europe, Asia, South America, and here in Canada, I still see women, young and old still wearing pantyhose, so pantyhose is alive and well in those places. Its probably because of the American fashionistas who passed their message through the media to get to the minds of women out that with a belief that pantyhose is out of fashion, which is completeley false. To me, it is a just a pet peeve made up by the fashionistas who don’t consider things that were once and still are considered sexy and attractive. And Jennifer, I was looking at the fashion magazines, and there are still women wearing pantyhose including young hollywood celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Zooey Deschanel, Hillary Duff, Rihanna, Beyonce, and Hayden Panattiere, as well as supermodels on the runaways. Those magazines are wrong for saying that hosiery is done when all those celebrities, and models are wearing them once again.
As for Ms. Obama, she did wear pantyhose at the her husband’s presidential inauguation. If you search for Obama inaugeration under google images, you will see pictures of her wearing sheer hosiery outside. Even though she does not wear them, she probably wears them for one time only.
If women want to wear pantyhose, let them wear them. If other women don’t want to wear pantyhose, they don’t have to. Wearing pantyhose shouldn’t be a generational nor geographical issue, it should be matter of preference.
I’m 20 and I love sheer black or colored pantyhose. Makes me feel and look sexy. Plus it makes a shorter dress look more classy and appropriate. Just because others don’t seem to wear them doesn’t deter me. I am my own person and if I look unique, so be it. Also, I haven’t met many men who think sexy, sheer-toned tights on great pair of legs is a bad look.
Vee,
Hi and just want to say good for you. I am convinced that woman who wear nylons says alot about them. Like you said you feel good about yourself,sexy and all the above. I have been a lover of woman who wear nylons for many years and always will. If there were ten woman in a line and had my choice of being with anyone of them and only one was wearing guess which one I would choose ? Nylons are the best thing man ever made for a woman. When you feel good about yourself when you wear them is a good thing. If your with a man who appreciates them you will have a man who will be as sensous as you are. Have a great day and don’t ever stop wearing.
Sometimes I wear panythose and sometimes I do not, it depends in what mood I’m in and what I’m wearing. I’m 37.
Panythose are especially great if the weather’s a little cool/chilly…it’s amazing how that thin piece of fabric can be the difference between feeling warmer & comfortable and feeling cold & uncomfortable. Even ultra sheer pantyhose can keep one warm on a cool day.
I don’t care if Michelle Obama wears them or not, that would have no bearing on whether I would or wouldn’t wear them. I don’t know why her name’s even in the title like she’s some litmus test. (??). Weird.
One of you ladies made the comment that if we like them so much then we should wear them. Well I do and have been for almost 20 years on a daily basis. No, not a cross dresser. No, not gay. Married with kids and under 40. They feel great and I enjoy them. Uncomfortable, try the right size and buy a decent pair. Hot? Don’t wear them when its 90 degrees F. To the person that said mow the lawn in them, what are you nuts? Really I dont get the uncomfortable thing. Get real with the real size of your waist and thighs and I think you will find they are quite enjoyable.
The root issue is not whether they are in style or not, but the sloppyness of America in general. Women don’t want to wear them because they don’t want to put the extra effort. They want to wear flip flops to work, school, church and every where else.
I’m young and find them sexy. Ladies – take notice when you wear them that the men actually do notice.
I agree pantyhose are very classy and sexy. It has nothing to do with imperfection in legs or hiding up a lack of tan. Stockings are beautiful. Ladies, walk into a nice restaurant or bar with hose on and see how many looks that you get. Men love it. Flip flops and bare legs may be the new trend, but men love women in pantyose.
I love a woman in nylons. Nylons add class and a sophistication. Nylons are very sexy and upgrade a womans appearance.
I love women with pantyhose or stocking, in winter. But like the bare leg (and feet, please, no socks too) look in spring-summer.
If it is cold outside but you like the bare leg look, wear hose. There are certain things that should not be put into a ‘fashion box’. Hose were worn by many young girls in the old days.. If it worked for them then, it should work just fine for us now. Don’t let someone else tell you how to dress (I’m refering to the particular fashionista people that are trying to take over the fashion world by telling what to wear when to wear it, and how). Use common sense..a jean mini skirt with fishnet stockings and ankle boots for a summer wedding doesn’t make much sense (unless of course the bride and groom requested it…hmmm, I’d have to wonder about attending if that was the case ;) But please, don’t tell people what to wear- advise.
Here is the final word on pantyhose from a Southern Belle. It’s the same rule as the one for white shoes: After Memorial Day, NO PANTYHOSE. After Labor Day, NO BARE LEGS. Got it, people? And don’t forget, never wear pearls with plaid.
Here is the final word if you want the perfect look please, please wear pantyhose that’s all.
I do not have the authority to tell other people how to dress, or what to do. That is what your Mother is for. Personally I prefer to wear stockings with a garter belt, bloomers and a full slip under my dresses and skirts. As for comfort: I feel much more comfortable when my legs are covered. If I feel the need to be casual then I will wear pants.
People can decide for themselves what they want to wear. It’s hippocritical to say that people on tv or in different positions should wear them but for everyone else it doesn’t matter. If they don’t want to do so, leave it alone. So you like stockings, wear them. And even if I wanted to wear fishnets with a mini skirt and ankle boots in summer or thigh highs, it’s my right. Don’t like it? Don’t wear it. It all pretty much equates to personal preference. There are no fashion rules. People can evolve whatever fashion style they want. The item doesn’t make the outfit thrashy or sloppy. It’s all in how it’s worn.
wow…sooo deserved this! afterward he was quoted saying: “I’m gonna love the aroma of confidence on my own tuxedo tonight when I grapple the wife”. Gotta love him. Should you haven’t seen Sherlock Holmes, SEE IT! He or she is pure genious…and gorgeousness!
Well my wife does not have to wear nylons to work but she insists on wearing them she likes the way it makes her legs look and feel and she does get a lot of compliments from men so I encourage her to always wear hose and miniskirts tomarrow we will go as she puts it nylons shopping
I am totally clueless here. I am in mt 50′s and had no idea women wear skirts or dresses without pantyhose. I would like to know how they can wear heals without stockings? Don’t your feet rub and get blisters? I grew up even wearing peds in flats because of that problem and that is why they still sell them today. Now that I’m older and a fair redhead with lots of freckles, stockings are a definite advantage to cover spider veins, give firms support and just make my legs look alright! As far as Florida’s heat I do see the problem there but makeup in the heat and humidity on any body part is a problem because of sweating and smearing.
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Michelle is a modern women. Most women I’ve seen today dress for convenience. They can get into and out of their clothes in under a minute. They just don’t look finished. I wear a tie to work every day. It’s not required, but I look as if I took the time to finish dressing. But at least I get a good laugh watching girls freezing with their bare legs in February.
Michelle Obama is not one that I would look up to. She dresses like a hot mess, and all that oil she slops on her legs – gross.
I prefer wearing hose, as I have some dimpling (cellulite) on my legs. They look much better in hose. I’ve seen some beautifully-dresses women with bare UGLY legs, and that’s all that stands out, is their ugly legs.