Going along with the pantyhose thread...

[WindRavenX]

I was wondering if the DU ladies and men could perhaps offer some opinions on wearing pantyhouse as it relates to etiquette.
I never wear tights or pantyhose; I dislike the feeling and I don't believe I look particularly well in them to begin with.
Now, my mother tells me that during the winter you *have* to wear tights or pantyhose with a skirt otherwise it isn't polite. However, no one in Boston does this- my fellow college girlfriends and I never wear tights/pantyhose with our skirts.
So, ladies (and men!): is it terrible fashion to have bare legs in winter? Thanks for your thoughts! :hi:

[Maple]

1. It's not only terrible fashion

it's incredibly dumb to have bare legs in winter.

Now put some pants on over them.

[WindRavenX]

2. I wouldn't say it's dumb at all

I have a long wool coat that keeps me quite warm.
As for terrible fashion...that's what I'm trying to figure out.

[Maple]

5. It's not only dumb

and cold...it's ugly.

[rwenos]

3. Seems Like It Would be Cold, But Not Uncouth

The pants suggestion seems practical. A guy like me thinks pants can be elegant, even in the evening on a date to the city, dinner or the symphony -- it all depends on the quality and drape of the slacks. Good slacks, wide cut, well-tailored and fit, with high heels. Very chic and avoids the nylons/pantyhose issue altogether.

Just one guy's opinion. I'm often accused of being reactionary, because I think women look good in skirts and evening gowns too.

[WindRavenX]

6. That's what I normally do

Evening wear for me usually consists of a nice pair of grey dress slacks and a pretty blouse w/heels (not too tall- I'm too damn clumsy :P ) . But I adore my leopard print skirt....:evilgrin:

[rwenos]

8. So You're On the Right Track Then

I don't quite understand the thing about nylons. I think most guys don't get it either. But a well-dressed woman -- a pleasure to be with. Funny how some guys think it's too uptight.

I guess it depends ultimately on what you're doing. Slacks for the Boston Symphony, a skirt for a dance club. The skirt would be hot at a club, with no nylons.

I thought it was GUYS who didn't know what to wear. See, we think you ladies have it all encoded on your XX chromosomes, or get it from your mothers or something.

My mother tried to get my sister to wear white gloves to San Francisco to shop during Christmas season. Hah! Never happened.

[jdj]

4. it's not "polite"?

I'm so glad I live in the age where most sane people don't give a crap about stuff like this. That sounds like something my mother would have said to me back in the day when she thought there was still hope for me.

[Maple]

7. No actually its considered

'white trash ugly'.

[RadicalMom]

14. By whom? You shouldn't perpetuate that crap. People need to be freed from

other people imposing their rules on them, including this. Is this 1950?

[KT2000]

12. LOL - Our poor mothers

did try to make us "presentable" and then they did eventually give up to save their own sanity.

[KitchenWitch]

9. I wear skirts that are long enough

so that I can wear the knee high nylons and hide the elastic at the top. No one is the wiser.

Another alternative is to get riding boots in both black and brown, and wear those under skirts in the winter!

[driver8]

10. I have a thing for girls in tights and short skirts so don't ask me!

Seriously, I think women look very nice when they are wearing tights or pantyhose with a skirt. I think in the summer, women look great going bare legged. I say do whatever you want to do. Is wearing tights or pantyhose really such a bother??

[KitchenWitch]

13. I cannot speak for anyone else

but tights and pantyhose are extremely uncomfortable. There is no way to get them sized right. I am a tall woman and 5 minutes after I put a pair on, the crotch has sunken down to my knees, and has made it difficult to walk.

[RadicalMom]

15. They are a royal pain and should have gone the way of bone corsets

long ago, as far as "mandatory" fashion requirements are concerned.

[Az]

11. Self delete

[spinbaby]

16. I hear ya...

Panty hose can be a real pain. However, what they do is to provide a very smooth look to your legs. If you don't wear them, you have to be very careful to have your legs shaved and, if you have less than great skin, even put a bit of makeup on your legs to smooth things out.

Personally, I wear pants in cold weather and don't bring out the skirts until spring. Then I wear skirts on the long side so I can wear knee-highs instead of panty hose.

Tights, if you get the right ones, can be downright cozy. I used to have some cotton tights that fit just right and they were great. Unfortunately, I can't find them any more.