Ladies - pantyhose and sandals/open toe shoes

[gracie1]

I wear pantyhose with open toed shoes. I have to with work. Pantyhose are mandatory. I got used to wearing them and actually feel better wearing them than not!

 

[Feralpeg]

The company I worked for required women to wear hose with a skirt or dress or open toed shoes. I wore them for 30 plus years. Not that big a deal. In fact, I feel funny in a dress without them. Of course, I never wore hose without a sheer toe with open toed shoes. It may, indeed, be generational. I often see young women in dresses without hose and they don't look polished to me. JMHO. There are a lot of women out there without great looking legs. Somehow, the hose seemed to hide some of the flaws. Again, JMHO.

 

[blissventure]

Or, they can buy spanx... no undergarments necessary and no hose down to your toes.

Isn't that what Oprah uses? I've seen them advertised at Dillards...nicer name, maybe a little better look, but hey, it's still an old fashioned girdle.
Not everyone is going to hop on that bandwagon, although it might be a good suggestion.
Some women will opt for the support of a control top hose over a girdle.

Me? I never wear hose in the summer (I do wear dark hose in the winter--with closed toed shoes ) or slips (ever).

 

[RadioNate]

but why not just wear closed toe shoes with hose?????? I get the having to wear hose for work but why open toe shoes?

I'm sorry and I really don't mean to insult anyone personally but it looks SO bad. You can always tell...even with sandal foot hose or the toeless ones. I get looking 'polished' for work or whatever but the open toed thing really cuts that argument because it looks icky.

 

[LexiC123]

Panty hose and sandals...bad, bad idea. If I worked in an industry where hosiery was mandatory (and I have), I would just stick to pumps and forgo open-toed shoes altogether. And personally, I think business attire and sandals clash horribly. Talk about sending a mixed message!

Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.

It's mandatory where I work to wear pantyhose. I hate them SO much. They're so uncomfortable. I do wear open toed high heels every once in awhile, but only passive aggressively

Have you tried thigh highs? They're much more comfortable and, unlike years ago, the band at the top keeps them pretty secure. Victoria's Secret has a nice selection, but I even see them in Macy's and Sears now.

I agree, yuck, but if you have to wear hose for work and still want to wear open toed shoes, you could always buy the toeless hose. Donna Karan makes some:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/2888970

They have a little loop that hooks around your big toe to hold them in place.

No offense intended...but those are just awful. No matter how sheer the hose, the leg color is never going to match ones skin tone.

 

[hichewlova]

Well I agree that tan tights with open toe shoes is gross looking...I have seen some articles on wearing really vibrant colored tights with open toe shoes and it looks cute. I think you have to consciously go for that look, if that makes sense.

 

[MushyMushy]

but why not just wear closed toe shoes with hose?????? I get the having to wear hose for work but why open toe shoes?

I'm sorry and I really don't mean to insult anyone personally but it looks SO bad. You can always tell...even with sandal foot hose or the toeless ones. I get looking 'polished' for work or whatever but the open toed thing really cuts that argument because it looks icky.

When I was questioning the bare legs, I wasn't really thinking about open toed shoes -- to me, that goes without saying.

I was just brought up not to go bare legged in colder weather, so I was wondering if bare legs in winter bother other people.

 

[Feralpeg]

but why not just wear closed toe shoes with hose?????? I get the having to wear hose for work but why open toe shoes?

I'm sorry and I really don't mean to insult anyone personally but it looks SO bad. You can always tell...even with sandal foot hose or the toeless ones. I get looking 'polished' for work or whatever but the open toed thing really cuts that argument because it looks icky.

On the other hand, I rarely see a woman with bare legs that I think looks attractive. It isn't their fault, but nobody has perfect legs. The legs are either too white or too tan. People have scars, scratches, bruises on their legs that seem to stand out when they are bare. I see a lot more veins on bare legged women. I can't tell you how many legs I've seen that need lotion for their dry skin patches. It looks gross. At least hose tend to cover many of the imperfections. And, before someone says that this is not the case with young woman, it is. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with age.

 

[emer95]

I wear dresses/skirts a lot in the winter to work, and I'd never go bare legged. I live in Buffalo, for goodness sake. I wear long boots with them. Love that look.

 

[RadioNate]

On the other hand, I rarely see a woman with bare legs that I think looks attractive. It isn't their fault, but nobody has perfect legs. The legs are either too white or too tan. People have scars, scratches, bruises on their legs that seem to stand out when they are bare. I see a lot more veins on bare legged women. I can't tell you how many legs I've seen that need lotion for their dry skin patches. It looks gross. At least hose tend to cover many of the imperfections. And, before someone says that this is not the case with young woman, it is. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with age.

I'm not really against hose in general. I'm with you that there are some people who could really use them. It is the hose with the strappy sandal that I think looks incredibly tacky.

I can tolerate hose with a peep toe shoe if I have too but you have to admit that this looks bad.

 

[Christine]

On the other hand, I rarely see a woman with bare legs that I think looks attractive. It isn't their fault, but nobody has perfect legs. The legs are either too white or too tan. People have scars, scratches, bruises on their legs that seem to stand out when they are bare. I see a lot more veins on bare legged women. I can't tell you how many legs I've seen that need lotion for their dry skin patches. It looks gross. At least hose tend to cover many of the imperfections. And, before someone says that this is not the case with young woman, it is. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with age.

Thank you for saying this.

I'm going to be the lone dissenter here. I enjoy my pantyhose. They make my clothes lay nice and smooth (form fitting skirts) and they make my legs look nice. I buy very NICE pantyhose and they are very pricey. I agree that some look awful. Oh, yeah, and I'm an old lady at 45 years old.

I work in DC and I will tell you that about 95% of the women in my office, off all ages wear hose, except for the dead of the summer. I don't wear them then either because I then wear clothes that would look stupid with pantyhose like my flowing, white linen skirt and things like that.

Today, there was a girl in my office with no hose and her legs looked AWFUL. AWFUL...sorry, but it was enough that I noticed and actually thought "wow, if she just had a nice pair of hose on" and then I come read this thread tonight!

I think certain areas of the country (more relaxed) and certain types of clothing do well without hose but I don't often find too many women who get it just right.

 

[Angelhalo]

but why not just wear closed toe shoes with hose?????? I get the having to wear hose for work but why open toe shoes?

I'm sorry and I really don't mean to insult anyone personally but it looks SO bad. You can always tell...even with sandal foot hose or the toeless ones. I get looking 'polished' for work or whatever but the open toed thing really cuts that argument because it looks icky.

I agree. Open toed shoes with hoes just looks silly. Sorry. not purposefully trying to be offensive but any time I see it, I am just shaking my head. To me it is just as bad as a kuffin top!

 

[Angelhalo]

When I was questioning the bare legs, I wasn't really thinking about open toed shoes -- to me, that goes without saying.

I was just brought up not to go bare legged in colder weather, so I was wondering if bare legs in winter bother other people.

If I wear a dress in the winter, I still go bare legged. I rarely wear open toed shoes in the winter though.

 

[teacups]

A little OT: What kind of company makes it a rule for women to wear pantyhose anyway? And what are their rules for men?

I just find that a little nervy... but maybe I'm not realizing some profession that should make that mandatory. I couldnt care less what my flight attendant, nurse, teacher, cashier or other had on her legs.

 

[jbcheerchick93]

i just wanted to say, im a teenager who loves her pantyhose!

when i wear skirts in the winter im always sure to wear hose or tights with them. it just makes me feel better about my thighs butt and the little freckles i have on them

 

[teacups]

Today, there was a girl in my office with no hose and her legs looked AWFUL. AWFUL...sorry, but it was enough that I noticed and actually thought "wow, if she just had a nice pair of hose on" and then I come read this thread tonight!

I dont like to judge people on how they look, but rather how they act. Hose or not. We as a society teach this to our young girls (and everyone else!)and its just a horrible thing. Was that girl in your office looking and you and wondering why you dont get a nose job ya think? (I dont think you need a nose job, thats just my way of making a point.)

 

[teacups]

i just wanted to say, im a teenager who loves her pantyhose!

when i wear skirts in the winter im always sure to wear hose or tights with them. it just makes me feel better about my thighs butt and the little freckles i have on them

Dont worry about your thighs, butt or freckles. Who cares? Be who you are, and if that means you like hose then by all means wear them but if not...feel free to ditch em too!

 

[Christine]

A little OT: What kind of company makes it a rule for women to wear pantyhose anyway? And what are their rules for men?

I just find that a little nervy... but maybe I'm not realizing some profession that should make that mandatory. I couldnt care less what my flight attendant, nurse, teacher, cashier or other had on her legs.

This was many years ago but I used to work on the corporate side of a bank and banking is VERY conservative. While I do not remember reading the company manual on the dress code, it was discussed in the office. I worked in an office 9 women and work attire was extremely professional. I remember that we were told that we could not wear black hose because that was considered evening-type wear to be worn with party-type clothes. Again, this was a few years ago and I'm sure that has changed!

Whether anyone likes it or not, the perception of professionalism is often derived from attire and a company may want to give off an appearance of seriousness and conservatism. As long as there is a segment of the population who would find bare legs too casual, some companies will probably continue with the practice.

While I don't care either what my flight attendant wears, for myself, *I* just feel more professionally dressed when I wear hose to my office with certain clothing.

Oh, I and I NEVER wear them with open-toed sandals/shoes. If I have those on, then pantyhose aren't necessary because the outfit, in general, will be less conservative.

 

[Angelhalo]

A little OT: What kind of company makes it a rule for women to wear pantyhose anyway? And what are their rules for men?

I just find that a little nervy... but maybe I'm not realizing some profession that should make that mandatory. I couldnt care less what my flight attendant, nurse, teacher, cashier or other had on her legs.

Agreed. I have never worked anywhere that had a dress code in which a man is told what kind of undergarments he needs to wear. To me a bare leg is no different than a bare arm.

I just really don't like pantyhose on anyone. I am the complete opposite of the gals who feel they make everyone's legs look better. I just think they make people look old and stuffy, and legs look like amorphous blobs. I'd rather see people's bruises and ashy knees than strange nylon covered legs. LOL! The only exception to me is a dark colored hose with a dark colored outfit that is clearly trying to make a statement rather than a nude or suntan which isn't fooling anyone.

A good example of a good nylon look is this look by Uma Thurman. They are colored AND with sandals, but its a statement not an attempt at a faux nude leg so it works:

 

[Christine]

I dont like to judge people on how they look, but rather how they act. Hose or not. We as a society teach this to our young girls (and everyone else!)and its just a horrible thing. Was that girl in your office looking and you and wondering why you dont get a nose job ya think? (I dont think you need a nose job, thats just my way of making a point.)

I don't really care if she looks at me or judges me. Heck, she could be sitting there saying "that lady would look a lot better without those pantyhose." It doesn't matter. I was agreeing with Feralpeg in that some legs do not look good without pantyhose. Period. Would I fire the woman because of it? No. Would I give her a lesser work rating? No. Maybe she's a genius. But her whole ensemble was ruined because her legs didn't flow well with the rest of her outfit. Just my opinion though.