In a thread here on the Dope, there was discussion that pantyhose/stockings with everyday dresses or even suits was completely passé, and that hardly anyone wears them anymore.
But what about us chicks with flourescently pale legs? Are we supposed to flaunt our pallid pegs? What about scars and broken veins? Should those of us who suffer those restrict ourselves to long pants?
It’s summer, I’m pale and don’t tan, don’t want to anyway because of skin cancer concerns, and it’s too hot to wear hose if I wanted to. So, Dopers…what say ye? Shall I just warn the entire population of central Florida to put their sunglasses on?
(I’ve been wearing dresses with no hose anyway, just wanted to see what folks think.)
Do whatever the hell you want. Though I suppose if someone has a problem with it, their fourteen cats will all have a very low opinion of your fashion sense.
I think it would be best if you were to make a postable .avi of yourself removing your stockings; not too fast! Adequate judging requires time, and maybe some sound. “Legs” by ZZ Top would be my recommendation, but you could look here for some musical choices to avoid at all costs.
I am a dark skinned Italian girl and even I must say that I don’t necessarily think there’s anything wrong with being pale and flaunting it. There have been many times in my life I wish that I could have that milky white skin because it’s just so darn pretty (don’t get me wrong, I love my skin tone though!). That said, when I don’t have a tan, my natural “whiter” color is definitely almost sort of grayish- people regularly ask me if I’m ill heh.
So, if you are like me and insistent about not being totally white, have you tried any bottle tanners? If you are as white as you say, try out one of those gradual tan lotions- they really do work. You just slather the lotion on like you regularly would a few times a day and in 3 or so days, you’ll see a very noticeable difference in the color of your legs, though it will still be more on the subtle side.
I also like the Neutrogena tanning foam- I get dark, but they have a light option as well. It’s nice because it has bronzers so you can see exactly where you’re putting it before it even develops. Word to the wise though, use copious amounts of regular (the greasier and cheaper the better) lotion when you’re putting on self tanner. Put tons of lotion on your knees, ankles, and feet. Oh and if you see a weird spot or streak in the tanner on your legs, rub some regular lotion on there and it’ll even it out.
PS: I’m in Southernish CA and most folks here don’t wear panty hose even with suits. I understand that hose are certainly a regional and generational thing though.
That’s what I do. I’m a redhead, I don’t tan at all but I decided, I don’t care, I’m gonna wear what I want anyway. I wear skirts and heels without hose everyday. I figure getting worked up over pale skin is just as bad as an African-American person being embarassed because she’s too dark.
Another pale gal here. I just go with it. However, if it really bothers you Smashbox makes a tinted body cream that’s pretty awesome - it will cover any sort of flaws (eg veins, bruises, whatever) and gives your legs a sunkissed (not super tanned, orange) look.
It’s nice because it washes off when you shower - if you don’t want the fake tan to last you can just rinse it away.
What the hell is wrong with being pale? Pale can be beautiful! And I’m Indian and will never have white skin…I love my skintone but pale skin is gorgeous.
Do what you want. Personally I am very much of the opinion that mandatory pantyhose wearing is of an era bygone, and it wasn’t my idea that other people think bare legs are unattractive. And I refuse to wear them. People who want to wear them, that’s different, but don’t wear them because other people think you should!
Paley McPalerson checking in. I’m of the belief that no one should be ashamed of their skin tone, and I’ve learned to embrace the pale. You’d be surprised at how many people just really don’t notice. I’ve made comments about how white I am to people before and most of the time the reply is, “Oh, but your skin tone is so lovely! You wouldn’t look right with a tan.” Personally, I’d rather be pale than be one of those people who are naturally pale but overtan their skin to the point that it looks like shoe leather.
I have very pale skin, it actually never occured to me that pale legs are something that I should cover up. I mean, you can display your bare legs without flaunting your bare legs. I still wear pantyhose during non-summer months but its more to match the formality of an event, rather than to cover bodily flaws. The last two times I wore pantyhose were Easter and an October wedding, even if I had golden-tanned legs I still would have worn stockings.
As for veins and scars, well, so long as you don’t have an open wound, I don’t think people will actually care – they may not find your legs as attractive, but I don’t they’ll be offended. But then when I was little I had eczema all over my legs, and you can’t wear stockings to summer camp, so I suppose I just got used to it. Also, that fact that I live in Chicago is probably not irrelevant.
Bwahaha! I should have expected that response, but somehow, I didn’t! Well, a movie is not forthcoming, but maybe a still shot later (of the legs, not the stocking removal).
I’ve tried some self-tanners before and I always end up with streaks no matter what I do. I may try again. I have used the Sally Hanson Air-Brush Legs before, which doesn’t make the legs any less pale (at least not the one I use), but does leave the legs looking smoother and reduces the appearance of broken veins/scars. I just don’t want anything that’s an obvious fake tan.
I started the other thread, and one of the reasons I cling to my pantyhose is because they make my legs look a whole lot better. My legs are always so white that you can see each little hair follicle (although not hairs, because I shave). I also get big greenish bruises if anyone so much as farts in my general direction.
This made me laugh, as I have the same problem. I tend to wear pants or long skirts if I’m bruised up, so I glory in wearing my shorter skirts when I have no bruises.
I don’t know about the shoes, but the rule, as I understand it, seems to be if the shoes are open at all (sandals, open toed, whatever), no hose allowed. I suspect if you’re going to wear hose, pumps would be the way to go, but pumps kill my feet.
Speaking of which, if you want to go without stockings or pantyhose, I’m all for it. Even in all but the most formal situations, I personally prefer a more “natural” look. Oddly enough, I don’t really like unshaven legs.
I have the whitest legs in the South. People still ‘tan’ here - on purpose!
But not me - no sirree. Skin cancer in the family, plus it’s just too damn hot and sticky to lie around in the sun. Getting in the shade cools you down, at least a little …
And I wear no panty hose! Well, except for very formal occasions. And that’s more to make my legs look extra smooth and shimmery, because I buy the palest color available.
I suppose if I worked in a very formal business environment, with suits and high heeled shoes every day I might change my policy. But I would have to be getting paid a LOT of money for that to happen.
Oh - FYI. If you look hard enough, you can find panty hose that can be worn with sandals or open shoes. They have sort of a thong that goes over your big toe, and then the actual hose part starts further up your foot. Doesn’t work with all sandals, obviously. And really, why bother?
I get that too but I don’t care. You have to be pretty dang close to see the follicles if I keep my legs shaved. And I don’t wear hose no matter what the shoe (I mostly wear pumps) although I will wear opaque tights in the winter.
Anyway, 'cause I’m an attention whore here’s shots of my blindingly white legs in action:
I continue to wear dresses, in accordance with the “Julia is a dork” rule. However, a lot of my hose are black and I wear them with closed-toe shoes, so I still feel okay about it.
Obviously, you don’t know what white is. Your legs are fabulous.
For some reason, this thread has reminded me of when I was getting married and my grandfather-in-law asked me what color waiters I wanted. I asked for swatches.
Well, a movie is not forthcoming, but maybe a still shot later (of the legs, not the stocking removal). 
However, a lot of my hose are black and I wear them with closed-toe shoes, so I still feel okay about it.
Your legs are fabulous.