"Nobody wears pantyhose anymore," she said.
This was several years ago...and she was right. NOBODY wears pantyhose. Young people coming out of college in business suits don't even seem to wear them. They just find a way to make their legs tan enough so nobody notices.
Or maybe it's just that nobody wears skirt suits anymore?
Pantyhose were part of the "uniform" my first year out of college. My first real job was at a PR firm, where I was told I had to wear a skirt suit every day (NO pantsuits), pantyhose, and high-heeled shoes. The woman who ran the firm felt this represented the firm best. I had to keep a spare pair of hose on hand, just in case I got a run halfway through the day.
If you've never worn pantyhose, let me tell ya, they are all kinds of uncomfortable. You can go for thigh highs and hope the elastic doesn't snap (talk about embarrassing!). Or you can wear the kind with built-in panties and hope it doesn't start that downward drift halfway through the day, leaving an awkward gap between your thighs. Either way, in 100-degree heat those things are NOT pleasant.
Then there are knee-highs, meant to be worn with pants. Some women tried to wear them with long skirts, especially older women, but that kind of cheating can get you in trouble if you, say, fall down an escalator at a department store. (Yes, that happened to someone I worked with.) Once the paramedics are involved, EVERYONE sees what's under your skirt.
Still, pantyhose had their place. When I was in drama in high school, we were urged to wear pantyhose on stage, even if we had shorts on. Under the lights you couldn't tell a difference. And Hooter's waitresses are known for their thick, shiny pantyhose. It is said each Hooter's server goes through a pair of those pantyhose every 2-3 shifts.
Another thing pantyhose are good for? Keeping your legs warm in winter. But today's young working woman has switched to tights for this purpose.
But all of this makes me wonder...is it that pantyhose have gone out of style...or is it that the younger generations simply choose not to embrace this method of female self-torture? Will pantyhose once again come back in style (as bras did after a brief period of women not wearing them in the 70s)...or are they officially forever a thing of the past?
27 comments:
Pantyhose are alive in well in the conservative law office, even in the dead of summer. But only, if the skirt doesn't reach the knee. Hmmm ... I guess they don't want to see a bunch of chunky knees.
Even when I started my career, pantyhose were required IF you wore a skirt. At least we weren't required to wear a skirt. But a fews years later, and the pantyhose requirement was lifted. I work in the banking industry. I don't know any banks anymore that require it. I, personally, don't care for pantyhose b/c they're so uncomfortable. And it's like flushing money down the toilet when you put on a pair for the first time, and they run.
The only time I've ever worn panty hose was back in the military...they were required when wearing the formal uniform. Otherwise, yuck!
The lady I worked with used to wear them with sandals. What?!
Now, I think everyone just wears Spanks! ;)
Fun post!
Now that is one issue I am glad I never had to deal with.
Good blog. Yeah my generation (I'm 47) were big p.h. wearers. When I started work at my lawfirm the women there didn't wear them not even in the Winter time. The (younger) man I was dating was like "OMG why are you wearing them?" Mainly because I wanted my legs to appear flawless. I do wear alot of tights in the Winter as I never wear pants except on casual Fridays. With the creative selection of tights out there, wearing skirts and dresses in Winter can be fun. I always feel badly for the women who keep wearing the same ol' unimaginative and sexless plain black slacks. Ugh.
i wear black slacks daily at the office; they help me to avoid pantyhose; i prefer these cute little ankle high nylons.
I remember being a little kid and getting ready for church. This one Sunday it was super hot outside and I just couldn't get the blasted thingws to go up. I got so frustrated... my mothers advice? Just stand in front of the fan. lol
I come from an era where pantyhouse was a must! I started slowly to reject them by not wearing them in summer.Then just last week as I was practicing my walk in a pair of epic shoes, thinking about the Christmas party-where I intend to wear said epic shoes- I came to the realization that I wasn't going to wear pantyhose to the party, so I'd better practice with bare feet and legs. I'm freeeee!
lol
I just read an article that the Duchess of Cambridge is bringing them back into style. As is the protocol at Buckingham Palace- Pantyhose with closed toe shoes.
I can attest to them being warm. Before Under Armour, when I played HS football, we would wear pantyhose during those frigid games.
But seriously, I don't know how women find them comfortable. Even keeping the nail polish on hand to stop those unsightly runs. Or women who make the fashion faux pas with wearing them with open toe shoes. I even think bank robbers stopped using pantyhose.
Also what happened to Leggs? I remember those egg shaped containers. Are they extinct?
Yep, I wear tights, but just say no to pantyhose, especially nude!
This is great timing on this blog, Stephanie. After not thinking about Panty Hose for years, (you don't even want to think about chub rub in ph) I had to explain the sizing of them to my best guy friend. he had recieved a call from his mom asking him to pick up a pair on his way home. I was surprised I remembered the sizing!
Maybe I'm old, but I didn't notice that they were gone. Probably in line with Lickety Splitter, being 1) a lawyer, and 2) a Marine Officer, if I'm wearing a skirt, I'm wearing nylons. (I've never called them pantyhose - is that regional?).
Funny post!
I don't miss pantyhose AT ALL! I was going to mention the Duchess Kate, but I see someone else did. I may have to dock her a few popularity points if she does bring on a pantyhose revolution. I really don't want to wear them again. :)
I think I still have some stuck down in a drawer but haven't worn them in forever! I'm such a hoarder.
Hmm. I wonder if the bra will ever go the same way... ;-)
Ouch! I can't comment on that. But come to think of it, I don't think my wife wears them now either - Dave
Well, when their young legs start to look not so young anymore, they might reconsider! Reminds me of my grandmother calling her purse a pocketbook. Maybe if we changed the name of hose to something more hip, they would become trendy again.
I was JUST reading on another blog that Princess Kate wears pantyhose. Ha! I loved this pantyhose flashback.
BTW, thanks for stopping by my blog the other day. I'm following you now! :)
O.K. I probably am one of the few of your readers to admit that I wear them. I tried to go without at my daughter's wedding because all of the girls were bare-legged.
I just feel more comfortable knowing that everything is covered and my legs are so white that I need a bit of color. I hope this is a case where one can say that when one is older, she can do as she pleases.
I've read in the last week that Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, wore them through her recent tour of Canada and Hollywood. Because of that, there is a sharp increase in sales. I'm already sweating at the thought of wearing them again...
Wow - this comes just when I've been thinking about starting to wear them again! What's the alternative - a tan?? Leg 'facials'? I'm open to ideas...
wow i thought panty hose were just tights, I had to google it
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060920145733AAqoD87
lol XD hmm I wear them, but not very often anymore since I ladder them all the tiome and very easily XD
Those Hooters outfits are awful. Just awful! I know men love all the skin and boobs associated with the costume but Ew!
I remember Joe Namath in panty hose. Good God, Thank you lord for making me a boy.
Panty hose, makeup, hair color, shaving 60% of your body.
Thank you Jesus. . .
I vote that pantyhose, like bras, were invented by men. I'm just sayin....I'll torture myself with a bra every day, but I'm not sure you could pay me enough to do the same with pantyhose.
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