# Pantyhose: Have the rules changed? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 16, 2007, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311 "2007-05-16T13:13:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/61 "2007-05-17T14:35:13Z")
[QUOTE=DianaG] An oxymoron, in my opinion. Open toe means no hose, period. Set your toes free!!! Seriously, check out any red carpet event. There will be exactly one woman there wearing hose. That woman will be [Sally Kirkland](http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/1395/Events/1395/SallyKirkl_Grani_405210_400.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Kirkland,%20Sally%20(I)). 'Nuff said. [/QUOTE] Oy vey, my retinas are burning! Wasn’t she something of a hottie not that long ago? Ms. Kirkland aside, I don’t know that I’ve ever gotten a close enough view of the red carpet attendees to see if they have hose on or not, though you’re probably correct in assuming they don’t. I’m not sure that’s a great example since it’s a situation so far removed from the average person’s life, involving creatures who don’t particularly resemble the average person. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/62 "2007-05-17T17:38:11Z")
[QUOTE=Surok] Why would anyone want to subject themselves to what you describe when the answer’s so simple? Stockings. [/QUOTE] Or just not wear them at all. Stockings - and I presume you mean thigh-highs with the elastic on the top - are for fun and games. I won’t wear those either. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/63 "2007-05-17T18:08:40Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] Or just not wear them at all. Stockings - and I presume you mean thigh-highs with the elastic on the top - are for fun and games. I won’t wear those either. [/QUOTE] I think that is what **Surok** means, since what I think of as “stockings” (the kind you have to wear a garter belt with, are definitely more fun and games than simple. \*\*Dung Beetle, \*\* that spray is really the only solution. When I used to wear slips, they would ride up, same as my skirts, so I quit wearing them altogether. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/64 "2007-05-17T21:14:32Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] Or just not wear them at all. Stockings - and I presume you mean thigh-highs with the elastic on the top - are for fun and games. I won’t wear those either. [/QUOTE] Let me edit this. I \*will \*wear them for fun and games, but \*not \*for normal everyday wear! ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/65 "2007-05-18T01:50:19Z")
Jesus Christ, that linked photo CAN’T be Sally Kirkland! That was a bad drag queen or something… I mean, holy crap… ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/66 "2007-05-18T03:28:37Z")
[QUOTE=DianaG] Ellen Cherry, I’m 36, and no one I know has ever worn a slip. Slips are things that grandmas wear. Middle-aged people’s grandmas. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Zsofia] You can’t even find a slip that’s really meant for wearing these days. I had to go to SEARS, for Christ sake! I mean, I wouldn’t be caught dead in pantyhose (surely you’ve noticed that there’s no space in the store given to pantyhose anymore, right? That was the clue.) [/QUOTE] _Whaaaaatt??_ I am 31 and I wear a slip all the time. I won’t wear a slip with a skirt that is lined, but other than that, I find it necessary to wear a slip. You need something to help the skirt’s fabric “lay” correctly, to prevent panty lines, and so you can’t see through your skirt. And I have had no problem finding nice slips at places like Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdales, and Nordstroms. Here are two nice slips that are clearly meant for wearing (I have a similar one and wear it all the time): [here](http://www.barenecessities.com/Farr-West_product_FARRWEST15221_,size,.htm) and [here.](http://www.barenecessities.com/Farr-West-23-Inch-Vintage-Bloom-Half-Slip_product_FarrWest56423.htm) Just where are you shopping that they don’t have slips or pantyhose? The aforementioned departments store each have a quite large section of pantyhose. As for pantyhose, I am usually wearing tights in the cold months (I wore wool sweater tights throughout this past winter) but in the summer it is usually too hot to wear anything on my legs. But that brings us to the fish-belly-white legs problem. My legs are so stark white that even when I am freshly shaved, you can still see my hair follicles because the dark hair under the skin shows through, and my veins also show through too, so my legs almost look green. (And no, they’re not varicose veins - my skin is just that white, almost translucent!) Speaking of which… **Alice?** Can you PLEASE let me know what self-tanner you use? The one I just tried was horrible and made my skin orange, and my boyfriend laughed at me. > [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > I almost never wear them. I have a really good self tanner that I used on my legs to reduce the fish-belly whiteness, and that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Janet\_Garrison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mrs.Janet\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Janet_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/67 "2007-05-18T04:02:00Z")
Ok I’m a 23 year old female and I don’t know the answer to this… why would anyone need to wear a slip under their dress? ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/68 "2007-05-18T04:11:00Z")
[QUOTE=Mrs. Janet Garrison] Ok I’m a 23 year old female and I don’t know the answer to this… why would anyone need to wear a slip under their dress? [/QUOTE] On a sunny day, even a bright day, a lot of fabrics become see-through, and one’s legs are silhouetted. This is considered tacky. Slips also keep fabric from clinging to your hose. Upon posting, what **nyctea scandiaca** said. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/69 "2007-05-18T04:40:09Z")
[QUOTE=Mrs. Janet Garrison] Ok I’m a 23 year old female and I don’t know the answer to this… why would anyone need to wear a slip under their dress? [/QUOTE] [This explains perfectly why one should wear a slip…](http://www.theroyalist.net/images/stories/Chelsyskirt.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/70 "2007-05-18T04:57:20Z")
More reasons to wear a slip: From [here](http://www.herroom.com/slip-fitting,228,30.html): > [@](#): > > Probably the most over-looked piece of lingerie today is the slip. However, if your outfit calls for one and you forgot to put it on, look out! The world will be seeing more of you than you intended. > > A slip is a very helpful garment to have in your wardrobe. For example, if an unlined wool dress makes you itch, a slip between you and the dress can make wearing it bearable. Or, if you have a sheer skirt and don’t want your silhouette to show through, a slip is just the trick. A slip can also smooth the lines of a clingy knit. Slips aren’t just for your grandmother. And [here](http://www.lhj.com/lhj/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/lhj/story/data/SummerStyleFauxPas_04082005.xml): > [@](#): > > If you’re wearing a white skirt, wear a slip underneath. Once a staple for women, the slip has been all but forgotten these days. But it’s an essential that should be revisited, since summer’s sun and sheer skirt fabrics can combine to create a see-through mess. Pull a slip on under any flimsy-fabric skirt, but be sure it is at least half an inch shorter than your skirt to avoid the frumpy schoolmarm look. [quote=[Slip (clothing) - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slip_%28clothing%29)] And from Wikipedia: > [@](#): > > A slip is a woman’s undergarment worn beneath a dress or skirt to help it hang smoothly and to prevent chafing of the skin from coarse fabrics such as wool. Slips are also worn for warmth, and to protect fine fabrics from perspiration. Slips are also worn for modesty under translucent outer garments. ---
**Author:** ![Surok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Surok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surok)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/71 "2007-05-18T07:37:27Z")
[QUOTE=Telperien] I think that is what **Surok** means, since what I think of as “stockings” (the kind you have to wear a garter belt with, are definitely more fun and games than simple. [/QUOTE] No, I meant stockings, not hold-ups. I think they’re far simpler than hold-ups, where you’re always going to be worrying if the elastic is going to snap, or slide gently down towards your knee because you forgot and used body lotion after the shower. All of that said, I wear a skirt pretty infrequently; if I had to wear one every day I suppose I might rethink my policy on bare legs. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/72 "2007-05-18T11:06:29Z")
Let’s see- White clothes= “flesh” coloured undies, no slip unless clothing is partially see-through. Open toe shoes= bare legs (possibly with some fake tan/ moisturiser with some shimmer in it). Closed toe shoes and skirt= bare legs in summer, black tights in winter. Nope, I don’t wear “flesh” coloured tights except for job interviews. The shiny ones look like Sally Kirkland, the matte ones look like bandages for a skin condition and they all ladder as soon as you walk out the door. Impractical, expensive and just not that attractive. Hold-ups are impractical for work and stockings with a garter belt would probably be grounds for some disciplinary action if anyone caught a glimpse. I’m a doctor, not only is there a lot of bending and stretching, there’s also a very definite policy on any clothing which might be considered provocative. Usually I wear trousers and a blouse or jumper with flat “ballet” style pumps to work, occasionally I wear a skirt and a blouse. Clean, neat, comfortable, practical and professional- tights not required. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/73 "2007-05-18T13:02:48Z")
I wear pantyhose when I’m dressing in a shorter skirt or dress in a professional setting, which isn’t often. For the most part my skirts are long, and I either wear knee-high nylons or nothing. But if you’re going on a job interview, a wedding or a funeral, and you’re dressing up, I think pantyhose are appropriate. And I do wear a slip unless it’s a denim skirt. Wool skirts are heavy enough not to ride (or blow) up, but they itch. Simple cotton weave is too light and see-through. And knits just aren’t to be contemplated. StG ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/74 "2007-05-18T14:56:54Z")
[QUOTE=nyctea scandiaca] _Whaaaaatt??_ I am 31 and I wear a slip all the time. I won’t wear a slip with a skirt that is lined, but other than that, I find it necessary to wear a slip. You need something to help the skirt’s fabric “lay” correctly, to prevent panty lines, and so you can’t see through your skirt. And I have had no problem finding nice slips at places like Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdales, and Nordstroms. Here are two nice slips that are clearly meant for wearing (I have a similar one and wear it all the time): [here](http://www.barenecessities.com/Farr-West_product_FARRWEST15221_,size,.htm) and [here.](http://www.barenecessities.com/Farr-West-23-Inch-Vintage-Bloom-Half-Slip_product_FarrWest56423.htm) Just where are you shopping that they don’t have slips or pantyhose? The aforementioned departments store each have a quite large section of pantyhose. As for pantyhose, I am usually wearing tights in the cold months (I wore wool sweater tights throughout this past winter) but in the summer it is usually too hot to wear anything on my legs. But that brings us to the fish-belly-white legs problem. My legs are so stark white that even when I am freshly shaved, you can still see my hair follicles because the dark hair under the skin shows through, and my veins also show through too, so my legs almost look green. (And no, they’re not varicose veins - my skin is just that white, almost translucent!) Speaking of which… **Alice?** Can you PLEASE let me know what self-tanner you use? The one I just tried was horrible and made my skin orange, and my boyfriend laughed at me. [/QUOTE] The department stores all around here have turned their whole underwear-besides-lingerie-and-bras department into the Shapewear Emporium. Not many slips. Also, note the slips you linked to. Nice, but they both come up to the waist. A good many of my skirts sit lower, and it’s way grosser to show your slip at the top of your skirt should you bend over or something than to let people see a vauge silhouette of your legs, IMHO. It’s clear they don’t make slips for young women anymore at all, otherwise they, like panties, would have changed to fit changing silhouettes. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/75 "2007-05-18T15:31:21Z")
[QUOTE=Zsofia] Also, note the slips you linked to. Nice, but they both come up to the waist. A good many of my skirts sit lower, and it’s way grosser to show your slip at the top of your skirt should you bend over or something than to let people see a vauge silhouette of your legs, IMHO. It’s clear they don’t make slips for young women anymore at all, otherwise they, like panties, would have changed to fit changing silhouettes. [/QUOTE] [Here is a low-rise slip…](http://www.herroom.com/FarrWest-12-Inch-Low-Rise-Half-Slip,Farr01-25712,4.html) ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/76 "2007-05-18T16:14:07Z")
I think it’s amusing that many women think “nobody” wears slips and they “aren’t available” when clearly they do and clearly they are. I’m reminded of the bra burning of the '70s. Throw off those uncomforable, granny things – the instruments of oppression! … and here we are in the 21st century wearing bras again, with the young crowd mainly push-up bras, mind you, because generally, loose, unfettered boobs _don’t look good_ under your clothes! ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/77 "2007-05-18T17:12:37Z")
On the rare occasion that I need to wear something dressy, I will wear hose with a cocktail dress (if closed toe shoes) or a business suit. Other than that, I’m in sandals and no hose. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/78 "2007-05-18T17:32:43Z")
[QUOTE=Ellen Cherry] … and here we are in the 21st century wearing bras again, with the young crowd mainly push-up bras, mind you, because generally, loose, unfettered boobs _don’t look good_ under your clothes! [/QUOTE] Not only do they not look good, but it’s uncomfortable too! ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/79 "2007-05-18T18:35:26Z")
[QUOTE=nyctea scandiaca] Speaking of which… **Alice?** Can you PLEASE let me know what self-tanner you use? The one I just tried was horrible and made my skin orange, and my boyfriend laughed at me. [/QUOTE] I use [Biotherm Sunfitness Leg Shaping Gel](http://www.biotherm.ca/_en/_ca/suncare/index_prod.aspx?prdcode=13002x&CatCode=AXE_SUN_CARE%5EF1_SUN_CARE_SELF_TANNER%5EF2_SUN_CARE_SELF_TANNER_Body&). It gives a very nice colour, has a bronzer built in so you can see where you’ve put it, and it contains Happy Leg so when you put it on it’s invigorating and helps out with tired legs. However, a perusal of the US Biotherm site shows that it’s not available there. If you’re desperate to try it, PM me and we can figure something out (I’m the queen of shipping Canadian cosmeceuticals to the US. I am so going to be busted by the cross-boarder makeup police). ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311/80 "2007-05-18T21:44:29Z")
I put on a dress maybe once every 5 years or so, when I have to go to a funeral. I usually wear stockings and a garter belt, because I find that pantyhose, while they may make my legs look good, also tend to bind themselves around my ass until I’m ready to steal a Jaws of Life from the local fire station to remove them. I don’t own any strappy sandals or anything of that nature; I have one pair of really fabulous black high heels, and a pair of black pumps with a lower heel, that I call my Mormon Lady Camoflage shoes, because they really are that frumpy. Generally it’s jeans, t-shirt, and sneakers for me, year 'round. I work midnights in a basement and rarely leave my house otherwise, so yeah, I’ve got the fish-belly white thing going on, too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pantyhose-have-the-rules-changed/404311.md?page=5)