First things first, let's get our hosiery nomenclature straight:
Pantyhose: Sheer or semi-opaque, thin, close-fitting hose that cover the waist to the toe. Leg covering to be worn under a dress or skirt.
Tights: opaque, heavier knit than pantyhose, close-fitting hose that cover the waist to the toe. Leg covering to be worn under a dress or skirt, usually in cooler seasons & climates.
Leggings: THESE ARE NOT PANTS! They should must be opaque &ly thick enough not so show every dimple of cellulite one might have. Leg covering to be worn under a dress or long tunic. Not to be worn under/with other tight-fitting clothing unless you are wearing your costume from Cirque Du Soleil or are practicing ballet at the studio.
Now that that's out of the way...
I love tights & pantyhose, I 'heart' them. I always buy a pair when I'm traveling, and have even been given hose from other people's travels. I also love trying designer hose. I
My current designer favs are my Vera Wang nude fishnets:
me last night, putting my netted feet up after work
And my purple Betsy Johnson fishnets. I wore them to work today. Here's an action shot:
it's hard to tell, but they are just a bit darker than my blouse.
Honourable mention goes to my first pair of fishnets: DKNY. They were classic black and sadly no longer with us. But I will tell you dear friends, that designer hose, in my experience, do stand the test of time better than drugstore finds.
As I'm reminiscing about my black fishnets, I am going to take a minute and pay a little tribute to other tights and pantyhose that served me well and then met their (always) untimely end. I had light purple semi-opaque tights with darker purple tiny bows...I always wore them with a muti-hued purple sweater dress. *sigh*
I had sheer black hose with a seam down the back for my role in our high school musical "Guys & Dolls". I loved those and kept them when the show was done. When they ripped I spent a long time summoning all my courage to go to an Adult novelty store to buy another pair. It was the only place I could source some, apparently some find the seam down the back kinky, I just appreciate all things retro. Anyway, with head high, shoulders back, and determination I walked through the front door and to the delight of my little Baptist eyes all the hosiery was right inside and I did not have to search. Lastly, I had a pair of crochet knee-highs. I found them at a vintage shop and could not leave without them. They were an off-white colour and I don't think I ever wore them anywhere. My skirts were always above the knee & I do not endorse showing the tops of knee-highs...no matter what they are doing in fashion magazines.
Tights I long for:
Back to the present. Here is my collection now:
I had to move them out of my sock drawer, they just wouldn't all fit.
Best Bargains:
On my most recent US excursion I found these for $1 each!!
I got these at Anthropologie for $5. I love polka dots so this find warmed my heart. They make me look a tad jaundiced though, so I bought a sweaterdress that same mustard yellow colour to wear with, thinking it would make them work...but alas the dress is too short to wear with sheer pantyhose and I accept that fact. So, I am awaiting my yellow opaque tights I just ordered from ebay to layer under the polka dots...to make the dress work. We shall see. My husband is doubtful...and is not a supporter of polka dots in the first place.
And now, leggings. I have mixed feelings about this article of clothing and continue to think of them as part of the hosiery clan. Please feel free to use the above definitions, I wish more people would. Leggings have tempted me to start another blog devoted just to candid shots of crimes against fashion. Would you support me in this by emailing your found evidence? I think we might have to shame people back to decency...but that's a whole other post...
So, leggings. I have a pair. They are faux leather. Go big or go home, right?
I think they are deadset fabulous but feel a little bit of shame in the bottom of my heart for loving them so much.
They are full length, right to the ankle bone. I wear them with belted black shirt dresses and simple heels. I even wear them to work at the Chanel counter! Sorry I don't have an action shot...it's after 11pm and I do not feel like modeling, forgive me.
Thank you all for your interest, or at least humouring mine! 'Twas fun and perhaps mum will let me do it again some time.
Much Love,
Daughter #1
Thank you #1 for that inspiring and informative post. I'm sure we all learned something today. I have learned not to acknowledge my daughter's presence if she is wearing above shiny faux leather legging things out in public with me!
