Let's Discuss: TO HOSE OR NOT TO HOSE
Posted 28th June 2008 by Maria Victoria, tagged dress code, legs, professional image, pantyhose
I read on their web site some of the e-mails that were sent in response. It was very interesting to read what people had to say about the topic. I was amazed and amused that so many people have very strong opinions about the issue of “pantyhose”. In this year of skyrocketing gas prices, home foreclosures, and a pivotal presidential election, many people found the time to think about and sound off on this paramount issue. I hate to admit it but I got sucked into it as well, so here I am blogging about “pantyhose”.
In one corner, pro-pantyhose people who responded to the ABC story, tried to make their point by invoking visions of varicose veins, blotchy legs, cracked heels, and hairy toes. One of them even talked about how pantyhose keeps fat women’s jello-bellies from jiggling as they walk the hallways of the office, and sparing their co-workers from being grossed out.Anti-pantyhose people countered with arguments that pantyhose is outdated, out-of-fashion, impractical in the summer, itchy, expensive, and an unfair and sexist expectation. Some of them pointed out pantyhose as a remnant of the age when women worried about how they look more than they worried about whether they have brains.
I was laughing my head off at some of the comments, so I decided to do a little survey among the women in my office. Here’s some of what they said:
Jo: “…I do not want to wear pantyhose for the reason its frickin’ hot in Sacramento.”
Beng: “It’s too hot to wear them and sometimes it’s itchy.”
Vicki: “Oh my goodness! I have not had a pair of panty hose on in years and do not intend on starting any time soon!”
Cecille:“…My feet sweat as well as my hands and make me feel very clammy. And that makes me cold, as I am a cold person to begin with. When I wear hose, it helps. It feels as if I’m wrapped at all times. And I only wear them to work…I am as normal as everybody else, I don’t’ want to wear them, as they are an extra expense.”
Obviously, the California culture has a lot to do with how my co-workers and I feel about “pantyhose”. I’m sure I’m not the only one who sometimes wonders why feminists burned their bras and not their pantyhose. Maybe wearing one or not wearing one would not have been such an issue these days if they only burned pantyhose and made it a symbol of oppression. I have no criticism for those who wear pantyhose, but I definitely agree with those who think that wearing it or not wearing it should be a personal preference, not a professional or social expectation or mandate.
3 comments so far...
For a solid week prior to the wearing I done all kinds of research , I think That Im an expert as now I know about everything there is to know about Hose .
The Big day came when I had to put them on , though a little clumsy I managed to get a pair on . I found that it is difficult to wear pantyhose under trousers < slacks > though the massaging effect felt good to my legs I quickly found them to be restraining somewhat as i had to constantly adjust my belt and make trips to the bathroom to pull them back up as well as sagging . These were the cheaper brands without spandex or very little . As the week progressed and the quality of the hose I was wearing each day changed to a better or more expensive line I found I had to go to the Bathroom Less to straighten them up as they didnt bag as much . By the end of the week I had a run in only 1 pair . The following week was more trying as the women in the office had somehow convinced me to wear a skirt < kilt in my case > the last week of me wearing the hose . I found that my legs looked better and was complimented by several of the Women on how they looked as well as a few embarrassing cat calls . At the end of this 2 weeks this is my conclusion . Cheap hose sag bag and run , Moderately priced hose work just fine and give support , The higher priced lines are just not worth it . I found in the summer they are hot even while wearing a skirt as the computers do put out quite a bit of heat which warms things up tremendously . I do understand your complaints and have a better understanding of what you Women go through , especially during the warm months . Yes Pantyhose is a guy thing and I do like to see a polished look with wich pantyhose contributes to .
So here are the Pros to Hose , Your legs look better, Gives a more polished look , Helps with tired and achey < hurting legs > . Gives you an instant tan , Get compliments . Compliments your clothes as an accessery .
Now The Cons They are Hot , They are uncomfortable when they dont fit right < biggest beef I Have > they cost 5 to 7 Bux a pair and you dont get over 15 or so wearings out of them , you have to take care to wash them , Hard to find my size yet alone color .
Now . however it did result in lowering the thermostat in the Summer and for those who preferred to wear it was more comfortable for them . I set a trend and some other Men I know have tried them some liked them some didnt . To be honest I do keep a few pair in my Drawer still , especially for those days Im constantly on my feet and the pros to helping my legs feel better out weigh the slight pain of Wearing pantyhose . I found they do make hose for men now .
Who knows we may see a day where they are a unisex garment .
Flag as inappropriate Posted by bgmt on 18th September 2008
For a solid week prior to the wearing I done all kinds of research , I think That Im an expert as now I know about everything there is to know about Hose .
The Big day came when I had to put them on , though a little clumsy I managed to get a pair on . I found that it is difficult to wear pantyhose under trousers < slacks > though the massaging effect felt good to my legs I quickly found them to be restraining somewhat as i had to constantly adjust my belt and make trips to the bathroom to pull them back up as well as sagging . These were the cheaper brands without spandex or very little . As the week progressed and the quality of the hose I was wearing each day changed to a better or more expensive line I found I had to go to the Bathroom Less to straighten them up as they didnt bag as much . By the end of the week I had a run in only 1 pair . The following week was more trying as the women in the office had somehow convinced me to wear a skirt < kilt in my case > the last week of me wearing the hose . I found that my legs looked better and was complimented by several of the Women on how they looked as well as a few embarrassing cat calls . At the end of this 2 weeks this is my conclusion . Cheap hose sag bag and run , Moderately priced hose work just fine and give support , The higher priced lines are just not worth it . I found in the summer they are hot even while wearing a skirt as the computers do put out quite a bit of heat which warms things up tremendously . I do understand your complaints and have a better understanding of what you Women go through , especially during the warm months . Yes Pantyhose is a guy thing and I do like to see a polished look with wich pantyhose contributes to .
So here are the Pros to Hose , Your legs look better, Gives a more polished look , Helps with tired and achey < hurting legs > . Gives you an instant tan , Get compliments . Compliments your clothes as an accessery .
Now The Cons They are Hot , They are uncomfortable when they dont fit right < biggest beef I Have > they cost 5 to 7 Bux a pair and you dont get over 15 or so wearings out of them , you have to take care to wash them , Hard to find my size yet alone color .
Well that sums it up for this guy . however it did result in lowering the thermostat in the Summer and for those who preferred to wear it was more comfortable for them . I set a trend and some other Men I know have tried them some liked them some didnt . To be honest I do keep a few pair in my Drawer still , especially for those days Im constantly on my feet and the pros to helping my legs feel better out weigh the slight pain of Wearing pantyhose . I found they do make hose for men now .
Who knows we may see a day where they are a unisex garment .
Flag as inappropriate Posted by bgmt on 18th September 2008
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Nataly on 28th June 2008