Thoughts on hosiery types.

deb

I have seen quite a few of you mention hosiery now and again. I have also seen discussions on nude hosiery, in particular right after the last royal wedding, but have not seen much lately. I live in northern California and the hosiery I see around here and what I personally wear are tights in the winter. What are your thoughts on the various types of hosiery and what do you personally wear?

13 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from

Echo

Veteran

I think there is a place for almost everything, although norms in different parts of the country are distinct. In warmer areas it is almost unheard of for people to wear nude hose, whereas in the colder areas like where I live, bare legs in a conservative office are still prohibited (law firms, finance). I mostly wear bare legs in the summer and dark, opaque tights in the winter, although I will wear nude hose (with closed-toe shoes, of course) for certain events or locations. I've never really been enamoured with the fishnet look, either micro or regular and either nude or dark, but that's just personal preference. I've seen it look great on others.

People tend to have strong opinions about hosiery, but I personally can't get that worked up over what other people choose to put on their legs/feet. It is a matter of what one was raised with and what one considers appropriate and comfortable. It isn't a crime that many women of a certain age grew up when women ALWAYS wore nude/tan hose, and I think that if those women can switch to a true nude instead of the "suntan", then that's a victory that should be celebrated. I don't think that nude hosiery is either necessary or a fashion crime; it depends on the outfit, the location and the person.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I live in Canada, where hosiery is a necessity for those wearing dresses and skirts for a LONG portion of the year.

That said, I hate it, and there's nothing I love better than to be free of it!! Ah, June, July, August, early September...you are my friends....

For the rest of the year, here's the deal.

1. Microfishnets in not-too-cool weather, either black or nude.

2. Sheer hose (sometimes patterned) in similar weather conditions, with the right outfit. Typically toned to the outfit.

I am not a huge fan of nude hose but sometimes it's the only thing that will make an outfit work, in which case it has to be really good quality and sheer.

3. Tights, of varying weights and fabrications for the weather. Typically toned to skirt/dress and/or boots/booties/shoes but sometimes wild and crazy, because, well, a girl has got to do SOMEthing in winter's depths for fun.

13 years ago

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I live in Denver, and my office is business casual. I do bare legs from May through September and tights of all colors and textures the rest of the year. I never wear pantyhose, although I have a couple nude and black pairs "just in case". I'd like to try the micro fishnets for those in between spring and early fall days - yeah, I think I'll look into that.

13 years ago

missvee

Veteran

I love nude micro fishnets because they add a bit of texture to an outfit without screaming for attention. And once winter arrives I wear tights in various colors and textures. They are one of my favourite accessories.

13 years ago

Chippy Mia

Active Member

I came from a conversative work environment so seeing nude hosiery in the summer is no big deal. I try to stick to very opaque or very sheer and avoid patterns. I do have a weakness for the french seam stockings.

13 years ago

qpswan

Active Member

I wear hose from October to May. (I would love to go bare-legged but it's not a flattering look on me...)

I am very thankful to the Duchess of Cambridge for making nude hose not only acceptable but fashionable (again). They hide my spider veins, keep my legs warm and runs don't show (mostly). For evenings out, I prefer sheer black stockings.

I recently bought some heather grey tights to wear this autumn/winter as an alternative to black.

I am also guilty of wearing knee highs during the colder months, black fishnets with grey and black trousers and nude fishnets with brown trousers.

13 years ago

Anonymous

Living in Southern Miss, I don't wear any sort of hosiery March-September, and never "nylons"....I'm a tights girl.

13 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Well, since you ask, these are my personal opinions!

1. Fishnets, microfishnets: beautiful, sexy, good for cool but not cold days. You have to pay attention to the sexiness of the rest of the outfit, of course, but I am so happy that these are now considered acceptable wear for ordinary gals, and not just burlesque performers. When I wear them with high heels, I do so with a skirt that covers my kneecaps. I'll wear them with a shorter skirt too, but in that case I'll pair it with combat boots to tone down the racy factor. I wear both black and nude fishnets. I find the thigh-high ones more comfortable.

2. Sheer hose ("nylons"): beautiful and womanly. Very sexy when there is a back seam, so same rules apply as for fishnets. The seamless kind are safe and perfect for when you want to look polished and put-together. Can be staid or stuffy, though, especially if they are nude hose and they are not sheer enough or the colour is wrong. Also, they tear easily, which is a pain, and I don't find them as comfortable as stretchy tights. I tend to go for thigh-highs in these, too.

3. Patterned sheer hose: careful with these, as some patterns -- floral in particular -- can give the impression that you have really hairy legs. Some patterns can look very cute though.

4. Woolly or sweater tights: cute with boots in colder weather. More sturdy than hose, and stretchy enough to be comfy. I like the cableknit ones, and also certain patterns. I wear them all the time from November to March.

5. Opaque microfibre tights: I don't like 'em. I find them uninteresting, not especially flattering compared to sheer hose, and uncomfortable. Again, I stress that this is my opinion only.

13 years ago

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

I wear mostly solid opaque tights, but I've also got:
- Patterned opaque tights
- Sparkly opaque tights
- Sheer stockings/pantyhose
- Fishnets/lace-y type stuff
- Thicker/sweater tights

I, like Suz, live in Canada and it's cold. xD I have tights in a ton of colours, and I like to layer sheer patterned tights over opaque ones to give different looks too. I basically like all kinds of hosiery and its a fun element to work into outfits. The only kind I don't wear are nude, but I do wear nylons (as in sock-type things) on occasion.

13 years ago

deb

Veteran

OK, I am looking forward to the fall/winter wiw pics. I must wear flats and feel sort of school girlish in tights. I do not know if I look that way so I will be experimenting and asking for opinions come winter time.

13 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

OK, I'm probably all alone here, but I really don't like fishnets--nude, micro, or any other version. Part of it is the connotation with burlesque, but even more is that they feel weird underfoot and give the leg a bumpy, uneven texture that really turns me off.
*putting my fingers in my ears so I don't hear the shouts from all the fishnet lovers*

13 years ago

Anonymous

I live in patterned hose from November to March, I'm experimenting with the oroblu brand. I bought a pair but have not tried them yet.

13 years ago

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