What could be more feminine than a pair of silky smooth pantyhose?
While many women opt for the bare-legged look these days, pantyhose (and tights) give a much more polished appearance.
The secret is to choose hose that make you look sexy and stylish – not like you stepped out of a time warp from the 80’s.
Follow these 5 pantyhose rules and I guarantee you can’t go wrong!
A quick note about pantyhose vs. tights. vs. stockings
Before we jump into the rules, let’s quickly discuss terms:
Pantyhose – This is a term used in the U.S. to describe sheer hosiery with a denier (a measure of thickness in tights) of 8 to 30.
Tights – Tights are thicker than pantyhose, with a denier of 40 to 100. (That said, most other English-speaking countries use the term “tights” for all hosiery, from sheer to thick.)
Stockings – Stockings differ from tights in that they only extend to the upper thighs. They stay up with elastic or are secured with a garter belt.
Rule 1: Only wear nude or black pantyhose
Stick to the basics when it comes to hosiery and only wear nude or black pantyhose. (Colored tights are a different story. See Rule 5.)
If you wear black hose, make sure that they’re jet black – not gray-black or brown-black.
Rule 2: Go for sheer nude hose that matches your skin tone
The 1 rule for nude hose is to match your skin tone as closely as possible. Definitely no “suntan” pantyhose unless that’s your actual skin tone!
The 2 rule for nude hose is to buy the sheerest hosiery you can find. Nude pantyhose should be like the foundation you wear on your face: invisible, but enhancing.
High-end hose brands (like Donna Karan and Calvin Klein) offer lots of nude shades to choose from, so you should be able to find a perfect match.
Rule 3: Buy the best quality hose you can afford.
Most crossdressers and transgender women have great legs, so it pays to show them off with good pantyhose. There’s a big difference between drug store brands and department store brands.
My favorite high quality hosiery brands include:
Wolford
Spanx
Donna Karan
Calvin Klein
Nordstrom
Rule 4: Coordinate your hose with your shoes.
If you wear black pantyhose, wear black shoes for the most streamlined look.
Nude hose gives you the most options: You can pair them with any color of shoes. For the most leg-lengthening look, try wearing nude hose with nude shoes.
Just remember: NO pantyhose with sandals or open toed shoes! (A small peep toe is fine.)
Rule 5: Try tights
Semi-sheer and opaque tights are a great alternative to pantyhose – especially when it’s cold out.
Tights are less formal, but they tend to look more modern and youthful than pantyhose.
The pantyhose rules DON’T apply to tights, so experiment with different colors, styles, and textures. Funky tights can totally make an outfit!
Let’s continue the conversation…
Do you love to wear pantyhose, tights, and/or stockings? If so, what are your favorite styles and brands?
Love, Sissy Family
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