I pretty much finished grading tonight’s papers, so as promised, here’s some more blathering from your humble narrator.
Today’s topic: pantyhose.
One day, noticing me throwing away yet another pair of $3 hose, Rand asked me why I wear them.
The answer is, I don’t…whenever possible. I tried to explain that it’s fall/winter, and therefore I *need* to wear them. And as I was explaining, I imagined how silly that must sound. After all, a translucent layer of stretchy nylon doesn’t really offer any protection from the elements.
So I came to the conclusion that it’s an aesthetic thing. Because wool skirts and dress shoes that aren’t sandals look silly with bare legs.
Basically, I need my legs to appear covered. Because otherwise, I look dumb.
My favorite brand is L’eggs silken mist, because I like the way they look/feel on my legs.
But it is frustrating to keep throwing money away…sometimes I get a few wearings out of a pair of hose, but frequently a large runner/hole/snag prevents this. Does anybody have a suggestion of a brand that holds up better? (I tried buying more expensive ones before, in the hopes that they wouldn’t run the moment my skin touched them, but it didn’t seem to make a difference.)
Ladies, I’d love for you to weigh in on this one! 🙂
I am not much of a nylons person, for the very reasons you suggest. So, I have been wearing tights versus nylons for many a year now and can say it’s been some time since I’ve thrown a pair out.
Granted, tights aren’t sheer, but that doesn’t bother me, as I think they look just as snazzy with my clothes (I work in a place that demands business dress), and, because they are slighty thicker than nylons, I do feel somewhat protected from the elements.
Favorite brand is DKNY — They are a bit more expensive, but they make up for the cost in durability. I have several of the pairs I still wear today for more than 3 years. They wash nicely, too.
I’m with Shelliebean. I haven’t worn nylons in…hm…several years now. During the summer, I go with bare legs. During the winter, if I’m wearing a skirt, I go with tights.
I don’t recall what brand my tights are. Since they last a long time, I tend to go with the more expensive brands.
Most men don’t understand the whole tights/pantyhose thing. I find them more practical than esthetic, when talking about dress shoes. Walking around in dress shoes with any kind of heel is much more comfortable if there’s a layer of material between your skin and the shoe.
I wear black tights. I buy the Lane Bryant ones, but you’re too little for those, Erin.
Tights.
A runner? Is he doing laps or is it more of a marathon kinda thing?
In England they call it a “ladder.” (Not sure why) You’ll just have to start thinking of nylons as “disposable” and then feel gratified when you get more than one use out of them. It doesn’t improve the situation, but it brightens your outlook!
Shellibean is right. When I worked in retail, I used to buy DKNY All the time. They are pricey but they feel SO good and they do last. I also used to use that hosiery wash they sell at dept stores.
On a style/etiquette note, you should wear nylons unless you are wearing a summer dress or open-toed shoes. With tweed or wool skirts, tights might be a durable option that offers a little more warmth.
I also agree w/ Lady Turp: I wear Lane Bryant hosiery but I wear stocking/garter sets. I can’t recommend garters more (ask Jen). One good thing is that if you get a run in one leg, toss it and then replace it. Also they’re far more comfortable than pantyhose, esp at the top of the thigh. Plus they’re damn sexy. If Rand finds out you’re wearing a garter belt under that tweedy schoolteachery skirt, it might make his head explode.
Tights, definitely. They last for years and are much warmer–if you get the thick cable-knit kind they function kind of like longjohns.
Yup, Eden’s talking garter belts; I’m talking longjohns. That sounds about right 😉