Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Are pantyhose making a comeback?

Pantyhose sales have been declining for a long time: the Washington Post (WaPo) saw it fit to print an article about declining pantyhose sales on its front news page several years ago: was it that newsworthy?  On The View, Michelle Obama admitted to not wearing pantyhose.

Now pantyhose are making a resurgence, thanks to trendsetter Kate Middleton (royal protocol frowns on bare legs).  To capitalize on the resurgence, L'eggs has launched a catchy new ad for its pantyhose (HT Shine from Yahoo!):



I can understand why women have given up on pantyhose.  Nylons run easily, and I've taken pantyhose out of the package only to rip before I can put them on my legs.  Also, pantyhose can be seen as constricting.  It's hard to recall that pantyhose liberated women from garters and girdles.

Pantyhose never went out of style for me.  My calves are one of my best features, and I don't always want to hide them under pants and long skirts.  Pantyhose also conceal razor stubble: I have pale legs, but dark body hair. It's hard, however, to find nude pantyhose at my local supermarket or CVS. I never can get the right balance: pantyhose with too little spandex bag at my ankles, while pantyhose with too much spandex are too opaque and look like "old lady" stockings. What's a good pantyhose that balances sheerness with the "leg-clingingness" that spandex provides?

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Worthington pantyhose are fantastic. Very sheer with the right amount of cling...

Unknown said...

I am really glad pantyhose are on the comeback. They truely do help you embody class and just that pure feminine look. I have never given up on them. Personally I am appauled at Mrs. Obamas comment that they hurt. I seen her on the view when she said it and could not believe my ears! Hurt.... I would like to know where the pain comes from. Not to mention her general lack of style to start with...

Unknown said...

They hurt? I think that is really a load....Pantyhose are designed to be very comfortable. While I must admit they can be quite hot in the summer but having said that I still love to wear them. I think Mrs. Obama needs to get a sense of style before people start copying her bad taste just because she is the 1st lady.

The Style Page said...

Hi Cheryl,

My issue is not Mrs. Obama's taste, rather, is it really her taste? I think that she's the product of her stylist, hairdresser, makeup artist, physical trainer, the fashion designers who want to dress her, etc. Just compare before and after pictures.

Unknown said...

oops it looks like all the comments posted....Sorry I didn't think they were posting. I have seen before and after. I really don't dee any real sense of style The part that bothers me is she actually says they hurt. If you don't like them or are afraid to step outside of the fashion world and be yourself. But to just say they hurt. A little Lame.

The Style Page said...

Hi Cheryl,

I have never forgiven Mrs. Obama for saying that for the first time in her adult life, she's proud of her country. To think that such a person could be FLOTUS! That bothers me more than her saying that pantyhose hurt.