Is Hosiery Dead?
By Elisa Lewis
Fashion Editor, MavenMag
March 2, 2009
Last summer, I was quite surprised to read an article in the Wall Street Journal proclaiming the end of stockings. Hosiery, or so the author claimed, was dead, deemed too uncomfortable to bear and was being eschewed, even as part of professional business attire, as old-fashioned as a half-slip. I felt utterly forlorn and firmly disagree.
Stockings and shapewear have for years helped me slink into dresses I never thought I could get away with. So when I read the Wall Street Journal article I felt like a has-been. Did I somehow miss the death of stockings? Granted, they are expensive, disposable, and need replacement with irritating regularity, but I’ve always felt the benefits (a smooth line under clothing, a slight layer against chill, making sure my feet do not rub), outweighed the negatives. For MavenMag, I decided to run a personal experiment, to determine if stockings are still necessary in 2009.
The Case For Baring it All
On a chilly day in January, I wrapped myself in a long coat and pulled tall boots over bare legs to run an errand in Center City. No one could see my legs. Despite freezing temperatures, I have to say that on a short walk I was not cold, as I had expected. I did notice that my feet were rubbing inside my shoes however, and were raw at the end of the day. Worst of all, I’m used to being covered waist to toe, and could not shake the feeling of being overly exposed. I might try this again in summer, under a long flowing dress with open-toed shoes.
Getting Hosed
I’ve heard tales of woe about stockings: runs, seams in the toe that look ridiculous in open-toed shoes, too-tight waists and colors that matched no skin tone found in nature. Interestingly enough, these complaints can be made about the mass-market stockings you buy for under $5 at the CVS, as well as the European brands sold at the most upscale department store. However, there is a stocking out there for you. First of all, not all styles are the same. If you don’t need to be held in, you don’t need anything called control top, and would be better served with a sheer to waist stocking that will not restrict you. Similarly, if you are looking for a little extra hold around the thigh, you don’t need anything high-waisted that is meant to keep your stomach in. You also may not need control that goes down the leg if you’re only looking for support at your hip and upper thigh. Secondly, “control” does not need to mean something you associate with granny panties. There are many styles out there that do not have an industrial strength appearance.
Pay attention to size. Those graphs on the back of the package actually serve a purpose. Are you setting yourself up for discomfort by choosing the Size A you wish you were over the Size B you probably are? A little attention can go a long way to finding you a stocking that will actually do something for you other than cause you pain. Remember that, like shoes, all stockings are not created equal or meant for the same purpose, and you do have to engage in a little trial and error.
I first tried a pair of control top pantyhose from L’eggs. Interestingly, the quality of the stockings was not quite the sandpaper I remembered from other attempts to wear this brand. Although the stockings came out of the carton very wrinkled, they smoothed out rather well and did not sag, which surprised me as the size was supposed to cover a range of about 40 pounds at my height, which is quite a swing. The waistband was not overly restricting, and did not create a sausage effect around my mid-section. My problem was the length. Even at 5”1, I felt as if the stockings were not really reaching my waist, and the stockings felt so delicate that I worried tugging would rip them. Still, for under five dollars, these were a good bargain pair, perfect for under pants, and have stood up to multiple washings.
I was less satisfied with the Wolford Logic Pantyhose, at $38. On the plus side, the lack of a waistband made them very comfortable and they still provided a clean line under clothes, however I found the sizing quite disappointing, as the ankles bagged. The neutral beige also looked radioactive on me. Naturally, since they fit poorly, they have proven very durable, and seemingly will not snag or run.
I attempted Spanx, since even those friends who spoke out against pantyhose swore by these for their minimizing effects. Not for me. If I wear something to hold me in, I still want to be able to breathe and bend. And don’t even get me started on knee-highs. They invariably rolled down, at exactly the worst possible moment, as if mocking a lack of development in my calves (and I thought I was doing so well at Pilates).
No Runs for the Money
My winner? Donna Karan Nudes Essential Toner, at $20. Enough colors to really match my skin tone. No snags or runs after several wearings and washings. Enough hold to combat the jiggles and give me a smooth line under a slinky fabric, without making me feel like a constricted Victorian maiden. Best of all, the stockings evened out the skin tone on my legs without screaming “I’m wearing stockings!”
To me, covering my legs is still part of looking dressed up. Bare legs say casual to me, whereas a stocking looks professional. I think the days of looking eternally casual has come to an end. A little extra effort and formality can be just what you need to polish your look. Looking like you don’t care or couldn’t be bothered to finish dressing? How 2008.
Fashion Editor, MavenMag
March 2, 2009
Last summer, I was quite surprised to read an article in the Wall Street Journal proclaiming the end of stockings. Hosiery, or so the author claimed, was dead, deemed too uncomfortable to bear and was being eschewed, even as part of professional business attire, as old-fashioned as a half-slip. I felt utterly forlorn and firmly disagree.
Stockings and shapewear have for years helped me slink into dresses I never thought I could get away with. So when I read the Wall Street Journal article I felt like a has-been. Did I somehow miss the death of stockings? Granted, they are expensive, disposable, and need replacement with irritating regularity, but I’ve always felt the benefits (a smooth line under clothing, a slight layer against chill, making sure my feet do not rub), outweighed the negatives. For MavenMag, I decided to run a personal experiment, to determine if stockings are still necessary in 2009.
The Case For Baring it All
On a chilly day in January, I wrapped myself in a long coat and pulled tall boots over bare legs to run an errand in Center City. No one could see my legs. Despite freezing temperatures, I have to say that on a short walk I was not cold, as I had expected. I did notice that my feet were rubbing inside my shoes however, and were raw at the end of the day. Worst of all, I’m used to being covered waist to toe, and could not shake the feeling of being overly exposed. I might try this again in summer, under a long flowing dress with open-toed shoes.
Getting Hosed
I’ve heard tales of woe about stockings: runs, seams in the toe that look ridiculous in open-toed shoes, too-tight waists and colors that matched no skin tone found in nature. Interestingly enough, these complaints can be made about the mass-market stockings you buy for under $5 at the CVS, as well as the European brands sold at the most upscale department store. However, there is a stocking out there for you. First of all, not all styles are the same. If you don’t need to be held in, you don’t need anything called control top, and would be better served with a sheer to waist stocking that will not restrict you. Similarly, if you are looking for a little extra hold around the thigh, you don’t need anything high-waisted that is meant to keep your stomach in. You also may not need control that goes down the leg if you’re only looking for support at your hip and upper thigh. Secondly, “control” does not need to mean something you associate with granny panties. There are many styles out there that do not have an industrial strength appearance.Pay attention to size. Those graphs on the back of the package actually serve a purpose. Are you setting yourself up for discomfort by choosing the Size A you wish you were over the Size B you probably are? A little attention can go a long way to finding you a stocking that will actually do something for you other than cause you pain. Remember that, like shoes, all stockings are not created equal or meant for the same purpose, and you do have to engage in a little trial and error.
I first tried a pair of control top pantyhose from L’eggs. Interestingly, the quality of the stockings was not quite the sandpaper I remembered from other attempts to wear this brand. Although the stockings came out of the carton very wrinkled, they smoothed out rather well and did not sag, which surprised me as the size was supposed to cover a range of about 40 pounds at my height, which is quite a swing. The waistband was not overly restricting, and did not create a sausage effect around my mid-section. My problem was the length. Even at 5”1, I felt as if the stockings were not really reaching my waist, and the stockings felt so delicate that I worried tugging would rip them. Still, for under five dollars, these were a good bargain pair, perfect for under pants, and have stood up to multiple washings.
I was less satisfied with the Wolford Logic Pantyhose, at $38. On the plus side, the lack of a waistband made them very comfortable and they still provided a clean line under clothes, however I found the sizing quite disappointing, as the ankles bagged. The neutral beige also looked radioactive on me. Naturally, since they fit poorly, they have proven very durable, and seemingly will not snag or run.
I attempted Spanx, since even those friends who spoke out against pantyhose swore by these for their minimizing effects. Not for me. If I wear something to hold me in, I still want to be able to breathe and bend. And don’t even get me started on knee-highs. They invariably rolled down, at exactly the worst possible moment, as if mocking a lack of development in my calves (and I thought I was doing so well at Pilates).
No Runs for the Money
My winner? Donna Karan Nudes Essential Toner, at $20. Enough colors to really match my skin tone. No snags or runs after several wearings and washings. Enough hold to combat the jiggles and give me a smooth line under a slinky fabric, without making me feel like a constricted Victorian maiden. Best of all, the stockings evened out the skin tone on my legs without screaming “I’m wearing stockings!”
To me, covering my legs is still part of looking dressed up. Bare legs say casual to me, whereas a stocking looks professional. I think the days of looking eternally casual has come to an end. A little extra effort and formality can be just what you need to polish your look. Looking like you don’t care or couldn’t be bothered to finish dressing? How 2008.
Comment
Be social & stylish in your city! MavenMag is a local magazine and social media network for women. This is a temporary site.
Find Us On
Regional Events
Mailing List
© 2010 Created by MavenMag Philadelphia
You need to be a member of MavenMag Philadelphia to add comments!
Join MavenMag Philadelphia