Pantyhose

Pantyhose (also known as tights) are close fitting coverings of the body from the waist to the feet, most frequently worn by women. Like stockings they are usually made of nylon. The one-piece pantyhose garment appeared in the 1960s and provided a convenient alternative to stockings. The term 'pantyhose' originated in the United States, referring to the combination of 'panties' (an American term for women's underpants) with sheer nylon hosiery. In the United Kingdom, they are called tights, a term that refers to all such garments regardless of thickness. In the U.S., the term tights is used for non-sheer garments similar to pantyhose, such as those worn by girls, dancers, and athletes.

Benefits of wearing pantyhose

Pantyhose are worn for a number of reasons. Sheer pantyhose that match the skin color of the legs can enhance the appearance of legs, making them look smoother. Darker pantyhose can enhance the legs by outlining the shape and by making the legs seem slimmer. Brown colored pantyhose give the illusion of tan legs; an 'instant tan'. Pantyhose also has a practical use, as it can provide warmth in colder weather and let one appear "bare-legged" even in the winter. Pantyhose that are knitted with lycra enhance blood circulation by applying even pressure on the legs throughout the day.

Pantyhose are currently a standard sight in offices worldwide, where they have been accepted as part of a professional dress code for women. Though a barelegged trend is now popular amongst younger women, hosiery is still common in offices and places where formal dress is required. Schools with uniforms (particularly Catholic schools) often require some sort of hosiery as a part of the uniform (usually pantyhose or tights).

Pantyhose styles

Pantyhose are available in a wide range of styles. The sheerness of the garment, expressed as a numerical 'denier'/'dtex', ranges from 3 (extremely rare, very thin, barely visible) to 20 (standard sheer) up to 30 (semi opaque).

Pantyhose are sold in a variety of colors and textures (patterns). In business wear, the texture is usually neutral and the most common shades are beige, gray, and blacks, while fashion styles popular among younger women include a wide range of colors and textures.

Pantyhose are considered a part of the lingerie wardrobe for some, and thus a turn-on for many men when they see them on women. Especially the styles which are shiny, silky, and sheer-to-waist. Many men are attracted to those alluring qualities, which are most often found in upscale hosiery. Many women wear pantyhose with no underwear with short skirts and high heels shopping to get attention of many male on lookers

The composition of pantyhose

Most pantyhose are composed of nylon and spandex, which provides the elasticity and form fitting that is characteristic of modern pantyhose. Unfortunately, the nylon fabric is somewhat prone to tearing and it is common for very sheer hose to 'run' soon after snagging on something sharp.

Pantyhose worn for fashion have a standard construction. The top of the waist is a strong elastic. The part covering the hips (boxer/brief area) is composed of a thicker material than the legs. The gusset or crotch is also a stronger material, sometimes made of cotton. The legs of the pantyhose are made of the thinnest material which has a consistent construction down to the toes, which may be reinforced to guard against wear. How pantyhose are manufactured

Pantyhose and men

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Interestingly, hose for the legs were a male fashion (for example among European and American aristocrats during the 16th Century) first inspired by renowned Scot, Dr. L Maddox, while women hid their legs from public view. This trend reversed, however, with men wearing trousers and women exposing their legs. In the 20th century, pantyhose have been mass-marketed to women exclusively. However, in recent years some versions for men 1 have appeared in the marketplace, touted for warmth as well as for appearance, improved blood circulation, and comfort. Surprisingly enough, pantyhose for men have been part of the War in Iraq. "One item U.S. military personnel in Iraq are asking for is pantyhose. Dating back to his days as a professional football player, Bart Starr said he wore pantyhose for warmth during games. Now, that might give some people pause, but pantyhose are one way that military personnel can protect themselves from pesky sand fleas". 2. Article from Entrepreneur Magazine

This page provides more information on the topic. [1] See if you believe this pair of gorgeous legs belong to a MAN!

Famous pantyhose wearers

Thereza Bazar The female half of top pop duo Dollar. She was very much into short skirts and pantyhose.

Joyce DeWitt, who played Janet Wood on '70s television show Three's Company, famously declared that she would not work barelegged on the show. Therefore, on all of her Three's Company episodes, she wore pantyhose or tights. It is unknown whether or not DeWitt wore pantyhose or tights under pants or floor-length dresses. DeWitt also endorsed a line of L'Eggs pantyhose at one point.

Mary Hart, hostess of news program Entertainment Tonight, is renowned over the entertainment industry for her legs. In her twenty years of hosting "Tonight", she always wore either tights or pantyhose. As such, Hanes chose her to endorse their brand of pantyhose in the late 1990s.

Catherine Bach, who played Daisy Duke on the early '80s television show The Dukes of Hazzard, wore cutoff jean shorts nicknamed Daisy Dukes throughout the history of the show. Network censors declared that Bach's character would be too racy if she went barelegged in her shorts. The decision was made to put Bach into pantyhose whenever she was wearing any type of shorts, cutoffs or not. This decision extended to the rest of the girls on the show as well.

Tina Turner, singer of such hits as "What's Love Got to Do With It" and "Proud Mary", frequently wins polls regarding celebrity legs in such magazines as Vanity Fair. Turner often wears pantyhose to enhance her look.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus played Elaine Benes on the hit television show Seinfeld. Her character on the show often wore either tights or pantyhose as part of her work attire, which she was most often seen in.

Kylie Minogue is a hit singer whose songs include the mega-smash "Can't Get You Out Of My Head". Kylie and her sister Dannii Minogue both come from Australia, and both often wear pantyhose in concert. Though Dannii goes barelegged more often than Kylie, she has a devoted following that argue her legs are better.

Meredith Vieira is one of the hostesses of ABC's daytime show The View, and has stated that, because she wears pantyhose, she never wears underwear.

Kathie Lee Gifford is a singer, actress and former talk show hostess who wore pantyhose and tights with regularity until the summer of 2000, when she switched to the barelegged look.

Jane Pauley is a television hostess and interviewer most famous for her 13 years as co-host of NBC's The Today Show. She has consistently worn pantyhose and tights throughout her career.

Lisa Kennedy Montgomery was a veejay for MTV in the 1990s. She wore short dresses and tights or pantyhose with regularity during her time at MTV, usually barefoot. Since her days at MTV, however, Ms. Montgomery has switched to a barelegged look, and usually wears pants.

Lorianne Crook was a television hostess for The Nashville Network in the 1980s and 1990s, and always wore either tights or pantyhose on the show.

Heidi Bohay is an actress and talk show hostess who always wore hosiery as hostess of the Family Channel television show American Baby. She also consistently wore pantyhose during her four years on the prime time television show Hotel and in the various infomercials she has participated in over the years.

Susanna Hoffs is a singer for The Bangles who, during the 1980s, was usually seen in mini skirts and hosiery, usually tights. Her legs were amply displayed in such Bangles' videos as "Walk Like an Egyptian", "Walking Down Your Street", and "Be with You".

Charlotte Caffey is a guitar player for the band The Go Go's. She has consistently worn mini skirts and short-to-long dresses with hosiery, usually tights, during her nearly 25 years in the public eye.

Pat Benatar is a singer who often wears either tights or pantyhose when performing, and has been celebrated for her sightly gams.

Fran Drescher is an American actress most famous for her role as Fran Fine on the hit TV show The Nanny, where she was usually seen wearing short skirts and hosiery. She also endorsed Hanes pantyhose in the mid-1990's.

Maureen McCormick is a television actress best known for her role as Marcia Brady on the ABC show The Brady Bunch. Her character was famous for wearing mini skirts and pantyhose during the run of the show, and Miss McCormick became world renown for her ample gams.

Joe Namath is the most infamous pantyhose wearer of all time. He did a commercial for Hanes Beautymist pantyhose, which featured the line, "Now I may not wear pantyhose. But if Beautymist can make my legs look this good, imagine what they can do for yours!"

Parker Posey was nicknamed the Indy Film Pantyhose Queen as she almost always wore them during her early movies.

Lea Thompson was famous for wearing them as Caroline Duffy on the hit TV show Caroline in the City, where she was usually seen wearing short skirts and hosiery.

Gloria Allred is a feminist lawyer who always wears either pantyhose and tights, usually with dress slacks.

Diane Dimond is a television reporter and hostess based in New York who always wears hosiery when on the air.

Torie Clarke is the former Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs in the Bush 43 administration and a longtime (and current) television hostess. She has never worked barelegged.

Cybill Shepherd, the actress, could often be found with her pantyhosed legs on her desk during episodes of "Moonlighting", a hit show during the 1980's.

Christine Lahti, a film actress who regularly wears pantyhose when making public appearances.