Fashion Question... Pantyhose???,

Updated on October 15, 2012
L.P. asks from Uniontown, PA
28 answers

Are pantyhose an absolute fashion DON'T these days?

I have a wedding to go to next weekend, and I'm not sure whether to wear pantyhose or not. I am wearing a cute black dress and cute satin black pumps with bows on the sides... I am very fair skinned, and a smidge over my ideal weight ;) so I appreciate the teensie bit of color that even a nude pair of hose offers, plus the control they provide. I was considering wearing nude hose... (not suntan, of course)... I have worn this dress before without hose and wore body shaping undies, which looked fine, but that was in the summer when I had a touch of color. I always feel weird going without pantyhose when it's fall or winter, but at the same time, I feel out of date wearing them.

ETA... The dress is knee length, crisscross in the front, so a little shorter in the middle front where the dress crosses. I would probably feel more comfortable in hose, but don't want to look stupid... (but I am very careful to buy a very natural looking shade...)

Fashion forward ladies, please update me on the current status of pantyhose! I am 39, if that matters... Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Dawn, "older ladies"... OLDER?? Really? I puked in my mouth a little when I read that!! OUCH! (true, I know, but I think that's the first time anyone ever classified me as an "older lady," to my face at least! LOL Good grief. :P

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D..

answers from Charlotte on

Aww, L., I've been puking in my mouth with my advancing birthdays for a good while now - I'm a lot older than you, sweetie! But yeah, I see over 35 as needing pantyhose LOL! However, some ladies here don't wear them and they are a little older than that! If you can get away without wearing 'em, more power to ya!

And good for you for feeling young at 39...I wish I were still 39!!!

Original:
Lack of pantyhose is for the younger set. We older ladies need the pantyhose. Go ahead and wear them...

Dawn

12 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

pfffft.
i think the panty hose thing is just silly.
if you want to look sophisticated and pulled together, put on hose. bare legs are great for summer, for toned tanned young legs, and for casual events. but weddings are formal and panty hose are appropriate. at 19, 39 or 69.
khairete
S.

6 moms found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Boston on

Wear confidence and anything else that makes you feel well-dressed.

From a really older lady! :)

5 moms found this helpful

More Answers

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Yes, a lightweight natural shade sounds fine, nothing shiny or glossy. Or you could do a very sheer, very light black, though I think that's too dark, it might look like you are going to a funeral :(
My personal favorite is nude fishnet, the smaller, tighter weave, from a distance they just look nude but up close they are quite sexy. Very subtle with a little va va voom :)

4 moms found this helpful

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

I thought you only went without pantyhose with sundresses and for very casual occasions. I went to a wedding Saturday and I wore pantyhose, and I think all the other women were too.

4 moms found this helpful
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A.T.

answers from New York on

Black dress....black pantyhose. Nude is your option of course. No pantyhose if shoes are open toe. It is also Fall now and appropriate. No pantyhose is for the summer really.

4 moms found this helpful

A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

I am pro-pantihose. I don't even care if they're tan! Yep!!! I said it! Fact is, if there's a little more of you to love than you want, pantihose will help hold it in & shape it. They will keep you warmer. They will even out your skin tone, if needed. AAAAAND, if it's a black dress and you're ghost white, you may look like a checker board. LOL! There's my input. Good luck & have fun!

4 moms found this helpful
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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

Wear them! I grew up wearing them to work and find the whole bare leg trend way too casual for most occasions where you're dressing up. Not to mention, shoes feel creepy and give blisters without hose. I'm also very fair skinned and can't imagine anyone wants to see my pasty white legs when I'm dressed up.

Kate Middleton is bringing back hose. You won't be out of date wearing hose.

ETA: Add me to the ancient lady club, I guess. I'm 42.

3 moms found this helpful
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L.*.

answers from Chicago on

If you are more comfortable wearing them then do so. Princess Katherine wears them now so they are back in Vogue. Have a great time :0)

3 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from New York on

A few ideas. If you're worried about the color of your legs try the Jergen's Natural Glow. I am ghost while (especially my legs) and If I use that for two days, there is a noticeable difference. It's really remarkable. I love that stuff.

Also, if you wear hose, I also suggest spending a little more and buying the ones that are skin colored.

Isn't Kate Middleton bringing pantyhose back in style? I hope so, I don't like to wear skirts to work in winter without hose and tights aren't always the way to go.

3 moms found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

If you are more comfortable wearing panty hose then do so. I imagine it's cooler in PA than here so the added warmth would be appreciated. No one is going to be looking at your legs, if you don't go on the dance floor and do the worm or some other out of date dance...lol...that makes you a spectacle then I don't imagine anyone will pay your leg attire any mind.

Go with the hose if you want to. I see some people still wearing dark hose, some even have a pattern to them. just because the people who live in warmer climates like CA and FL don't wear hose and that's where a lot of celebrities are located does not mean that those of us who live in cold states can't wear hose if we want or need to.

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

I wear only black, when I wear hose. With a black dress and shoes, for a formal occasion, I would wear sheer black pantyhose.

3 moms found this helpful
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E.S.

answers from New York on

I've always been a free spirit gal. I can't stand any sort of fashion confinement and haven't worn hose since my teen years when going to my house of worship.

Do what makes you comfortable, as opposed to what people think. And remember all eyes will be on the bride!!!

3 moms found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

Since you said that the shaping undies made you feel better this summer, wear a pair of pantyhose to keep things together in the fall. Some people might think that wearing pantyhose is old fashioned but it is like the era of the corset to keep things in place and give you a smoother fimer line.

Being you are wearing black, what time of day will the wedding occur? This will tell you which color of panythose to wear.

No, you are not old at 39 as I am 64 and I don't feel old. I have firm legs that are tan but I would wear panythose or stockings due to the occasion.
Gone are the days of slips under skirts to make white or light colored skirts opaque and not peek a boo (Lady Spencer and the engagement photo seen around the world).

Clothing etiquette has changed over the years.

The other S.

PS Just feel good with whatever you do and own it (like the commercial "I'm worth it!).

2 moms found this helpful
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L.L.

answers from Topeka on

Just my tidbit I don't wear dresses or dress overly casual but i'am an observer of others & some woman just need to add hose to their attire.I would buy a pair and try them on see what you like not what the current status is w/panty hose.My mom wears them to her office there is nothing wrong with properly wearing them just not with opened toed shoes

2 moms found this helpful

A.W.

answers from Washington DC on

I personally love black sheer pantyhose. There is one brand in particular that is an all over shaper which is great!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.O.

answers from Atlanta on

I wear them in the fall/winter when it's cold and you need something on your legs. I second the no hose thing for summer. I'd say you can do a nude or a black. I'd personally opt for black, but either one is good.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.B.

answers from New York on

I think black hose that are not opaque are pretty out of style. Since it's getting colder and you are not wearing open toed shoes, you can wear panty hose but make sure they are super natural looking. I wore a pair to a October wedding (I think shoes are more comfy with panty hose on) and they reflected in the pictures! It looked aweful! BTW, pantyhose are considered pretty out of style but if you think they make your body look better then wear them.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

I'm 48 and I never wear pantyhose. I do occasionally wear stockings (real stockings held up by a garter belt) if it's cold. Never if it's warm.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.O.

answers from New York on

You know, if you feel more comfortable in pantyhose, wear em. Who the %#@(%^ is going to care? I personally wear black opaque tights/stockings every time I wear a skirt or dress. Which isn't that often -- I always wear tailored pants to work and jeans on weekends. If someone has a problem with that, formality-wise, it's their problem, not mine. Aside from the tights, I can pull off a tailored, elegant look if I take the time. If my opaque tights make Leticia Baldridge turn over in her grave, then enjoy the ride, Leticia. I'm too old/busy/tired to care.

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S.E.

answers from New York on

i think its perfectly fine as long as your dress is long enough & your not wearing open toed shoes

1 mom found this helpful

C.V.

answers from Columbia on

I'm 32 and wear pantyhose to formal events and when it's chilly. I wear the nude sheer toe type. They make shoes more comfy and the dress flow nicely. I'm not overweight, I simply like how they look and feel.

For non-formal events, I go bare legged.

Make sure they're the RIGHT size and you won't look funny in photos. ;-)

1 mom found this helpful

J.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Well, thats alright. If your dress is long enough them you probably wont notice it too much. Maybe since its a black dress you can wear a black pantyhose, though otherwise dont worry about it too much.

Best Wishes,

Avery G.

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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

I hate pantyhose, but if it were a formal and I opted to wear a dress, I would wear them. Otherwise NONE for me.

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

THey are OK but you have to get it right-and it is so easy to get it wrong. There are hose that are extrememly sheer and really will mimic skin. Donna Karan 'the Nudes' is a nice one.
Another option is to use the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs makeup. I LOVE this stuff and use it all over my body when I need some quick color. I was really surprised at just how good this stuff is.

C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I think if you are comfortable wearing them, then go ahead! I don't wear them (I'm 32) and it's because I just don't think they are very comfortable. I am also very pale. If you don't want to wear them, maybe get a self tanning lotion and put it on your legs everyday until the event?

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

If it is cooler weather then I might wear darker hose/tights, but regular hose are kind of old fashion these days.

A.G.

answers from Dallas on

I'm 42, and I haven't owned pantyhose in 20 years. I live in Texas, though, so my legs have some color almost all year long.

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