411 On Hosiery

[Guest Marie Sue]

Hello Girls

i love saying that.

i need help on hosiery .Started looking ai them and whooooooooo way to many chooses .i will say being a girl just part time is a lot of work.way more fun than boy mode.

OK i like the look of thigh high and stockings not sure what makes them different.

also size charts are hiding from if any 1 could point me in the direction of some.?

i got my shoe today and there to big i can return them but that is what got me thinking well my socks just are not going to work with these.

so please help educate me.

.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

So yes - hosiery - oh my where to start.

Well I have generally worn stockings and such as a CDer and loved them, so feminine. I did discover I was more and transitioned - living full time now in New Orleans. Curiously, I don't wear hosiery as much somehow, because it is warmer here and I am full time - so I want to be comfortable. But let me give it a go from what I know.

Old time stockings: originally needed garters or garter belts. These are still around but have become seen more as specialty items. Generally, they are thigh high but without an elastic band (answering your question) - and you buy them according to the type of toe you want, reinforced or 'sandalfoot' - some also have reinforced heels, but they have become rather rare. You can even still find back-seam stockings, usually as a novelty or costume item.

Pantyhose: the standard use of today. They are rather self explanatory. Basically decide what texture you want, silky, smooth, or matte. Silky are the most expensive and the easiest to ruin - but they make a woman's legs look so beautiful - and feel marvelous! The cheapest and longest wearing are matte finished.

Next is the style you want. Most women use a sandal foot that's patternless. But there are hundreds of combinations. Tights are also a 'pantyhose' but usually of heavier material. I wear tights in cold weather instead of socks. Pantyhose, by the way, are very warm and snuggly, even under male trousers - especially in the cold weather. They have different types of waist bands - so you need to see what is best for you. Control panel is especially hard to keep in place for me. Even as a woman now with a woman's waist (finally) these roll down after a lot of walking.

Most men think women use the restroom too much - but 90% is going in to adjust your pantyhose.

But pantyhose are hot in the summer and I only wear them with my good heels and when in formal dress. No woman will be caught dead being 'barelegged' at a formal event. And pantyhose? They run - keep your nails filed smooth, take off your rings when putting them on - and - when taking them off. The more you wash them the weaker they become - so you may only get a few wearings - that is why I keep backups.

Also, chaper shoes have rough edges sometimes - there goes the hosiery!

Knee-highs, and thigh-highs: A great option with trousers, Capris and and cargo pants. These are like socks but sheer and pretty. They depend on an elastic band to stay up so make sure they fit. They come in standard and large size.

Pantyhose and stockings? Size charts are on the package. Go by weight and height - but remember women have bigger hips in larger sizes so the weight can be slightly adjusted down on these. Personally, I go for height first.

Color: The bigger department stores usually have samples so you can judge colors available. Believe it or not, color is extremely important. You need to get close to your natural skin tone or it looks bad, not necessarily your leg color (which may be pale) - but the color tone of your arms and face. Then there is the black - which is for dark dresses and special occasions. Every woman has black pantyhose ready to go.

The final question? Brand and cost. Go middle priced. Find a brand that fits you well and you will tend to stay with it. Specialty hose are fun, fishnets, lacy, all that - bright colors and wild patterns - but consider the effect. As a full time woman I want to blend in - so I pretty much dress as all women do. Where appropriate, watch what hosiery women wear and that will guide you.

But like I mentioned in the Deep South I rarely wear hosiery at all. So keeping my legs smooth and sexy becomes very important, and I always have a pedicure with pretty polished toenails.

I love being a woman!

Lizzy

[Sally]

I will say one thing in favor of the thigh high stockings, well it is actually two things.

If you get a huge run in one, you can change that one and not the whole pair like in pantyhose and in restrooms - so much easier!

I wear them for the simple reason of the combination of my height, weight and arthritis makes putting pantyhose on very difficult but thigh highs work just fine - even if I do not.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Elizabeth K]

I will say one thing in favor of the thigh high stockings, well it is actually two things.

If you get a huge run in one, you can change that one and not the whole pair like in pantyhose and in restrooms - so much easier!

I wear them for the simple reason of the combination of my height, weight and arthritis makes putting pantyhose on very difficult but thigh highs work just fine - even if I do not.

Love ya,

Sally

Casa Blanca - Play it again Sam... a kiss is but a kiss,,, a thigh is just a thigh...

hee hee

Lizzy

[Guest Katie_in_AK]

I have only thigh highs. If one runs, I toss it and then have a back up if same brand/color. I don't like dealing with the panty or control top of them. Plus thigh highs just look WAY more sexy to me with the lace top!

[Guest Elizabeth K]

I looked long and hard but found some thigh high tights/leggings/socks. Whatever they are. Nice under a skirt in the winter - but avoid strong winds - chills in places we don't talk about in polite society.

Thigh highs are not good for diabetics. Same with heavy top band socks - as they cut off some circulation to the feet and lower legs. So some of us need to be careful.

Lizzy

[Guest Maria_B]

Last thing we want is an enjoyable piece of wear to become a tourniquet...

I wear full length everything, and just shave.

Most cases, no one will see anything about my ankle, so I only do the hair thing.

Like Sally said, with my Mother being arthritic she finds the thigh high to be the better to use.

[Cyndee]

Lizzy really laid it on ya, good info.

For me, I love tights, they add support and look fantastic. Sarah Blakely (that very cute Spanx billionaire) gets some of my $$. Tights are fantastic for hiking. I live in the cold north, so I own lot's of tights. I am also into knee high length nylons, perfect for pants or long skirts.

Have fun Marie, there are lot's of choices out there. It's so much fun to be a woman.

Hugs -

Cynthia

[Guest Maria_B]

I also recommend tights if you'll be doing a lot of walking (Like Cynthia said with hiking).

Prevents legs chaffing.

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

Having moved to New Orleans from the "Great White North", I know how warm tights are under anything..

I have worn shear trouser socks the last couple of years....but moved away from them lately....

Lizzy has the best ideas .....

Donna Jean

[Guest Marie Sue]

Hello Girls

I just want to thank all of you for the great suggestions and tips to help me on this new and exciting adventure.

First it was the surprise of finding the girl who was hidden away in side and the joy it had been bring her in to my life and love all of it .

also first time in my life i am looking at close and shoes and all the fun accessory's to go with every thing.

Love to all and GIRL`S RULES

[Guest kimberly c]

Hi Girls,I love thigh highs for bedroom fun because the lace top ones are so sexy.When wearing a skirt mostly black pantyhose, love the feeling

of pantyhose on my legs!

Love Kim