VIDEO: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5028513
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”.
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and sparing their co-workers from being grossed out.Anti-pantyhose people countered with arguments that pantyhose is outdated, out-of-fashion, impractical in the summer, itchy, expensive, and an unfair and sexist expectation.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.
Years ago, I wore pantyhose all the time and complained about it all the time. You would too if you have to wear hose 10 hours a day, 5 days a week even in 3-digit summer temperatures. But the company I work for required it and still requires it. It’s part of looking “professional” in the work place. The word “professional” of course is defined in the context of what conservative rich people, our main client-base, think “professional” means.
Then one summer a few years ago we took our kids on a family vacation to New York. We stayed in a hotel right on Wall Street. The place was crawling with office-attired, serious-looking career women, some of them most probably working for Fortune 500 companies. And guess what? The whole time I was there I don't think I saw one woman wearing pantyhose. I started to ask, if not wearing pantyhose is professionally acceptable on Wall Street, why is it not acceptable in downtown Sacramento?
When I returned to California, I dumped all my hoses into a bottom drawer and started going to work bare-legged and wore open-toed high-heels. I got a few gasps and uh-oh comment here and there from co-workers and I expected to be “talked to”, but nothing ever happened. Human Resources and the boss have not said anything to me about it. Maybe because even though I don’t wear hose I stick to some rules about personal grooming. First rule is don’t gross people out. I make sure I have clean toe nails, and scrubbed heels. It also helps that I naturally have no hair on my legs and I have a FIlipino tan year round. And not wearing hose does not equal just letting it all hang. I still try to wear nice clothes and look public-worthy. I also make it a point to show respect for the bosses by wearing professional suits and accessorizing conservatively when I have an important meeting with the management team, or the Area Vice President or people from corporate headquarters.
Because I got away with it, pretty soon more no-hose girls in the office started coming out of the closet. We joke about how wearing open-toed pumps and non-conservative outfits, is just “being MariaVictoria”. Sure, blame me! Of course, not everyone followed suit. Some of my co-workers I’m sure disapprove in silence. But like I said it’s a personal preference. I do a job where I’m expected to be analytical, to know how to interpret numbers, and to come up with strategies that will increase profit margins. I just don’t see anything about my skills set that has anything to do with pantyhose.
As for wearing one to church, wow! I probably should not go there. Some people in my church think that hiding ugly legs and disgusting toes under panty hoses shows respect for deity. It’s equivalent to the brothers wearing ties, and wearing socks with their dress shoes. Fortunately, I live in California. Majority go hose-less in my church so this is a non-issue here. What I have a problem with though is flip-flops in church. Even I object to that! But that’s totally another topic for another post.
So what does everyone out there think about wearing or not wearing pantyhose?
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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 .