BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Women's Fashion Pantyhose Color

I will be attending a somewhat formal cocktail party this coming weekend and will be wearing a black sequined mini dress with black sequined dress sandals with a two inch heel. Would an off black or a nude pantyhose look better with this outfit? Any suggestions? I am still unsure which looks better. At the moment, I am leaning towards wearing the black.

The black would be slimming (which I'm always looking for) but I see more ladies wearing nude pantyhose or none at all in spring and summer.

In our area, I see more and more women who probably should not go out with bare legs and feet with their skirts and sandals. Not the best look

I agree with you on the black pantyhose being slimming! My only issue was I usually do not wear black in the summer months. That being said, I still think I would rather wear black than nude.

I also agree with you about seeing more and more women who go with the "bare leg" look when dressing up. It looks tacky. I just couldn't do it. Truly not the best look in the world. I feel so much more elegant and classy when I wear pantyhose.

I witnessed the worst example of this trend a year ago when DH and I attended a wedding and the following reception. It was an early evening formal affair and I was amazed when I noticed ladies over age 60 in beautiful cocktail suits and heels with bare legs that gave little doubt of the ladies stage of life. I couldn't help but think how much nicer they would have looked if they had worn hose. I have a "yard work" tan on my legs and I wear stockings to church and to weddings, etc. Recently my niece told me that I should not wear them with open toe shoes, but I still do it. I just feel tacky without them.

I totally agree with you! I am so glad to have met someone who shares the same point of view as I do on this topic. I was at a wedding myself for my niece two years ago and most of the ladies present did not wear any pantyhose. It seems age did not matter. Young girls in their teens or older ladies in their 70's wearing beautiful dresses and heels but going with bare legs. I just do not understand it. It really ruins the look. I wear open toe dress sandals quite often in the warmer months of the year and always wear pantyhose.

I hate pantyhose! For years I wouldn't wear skirts in the summer because I hated the pantyhose! Now, I wear knee-length skirts and don't even own a pair of pantyhose. I think my legs look okay. I still wear shorts in public, too. It's hot here!

I don't like pantyhose either, especially in the summer. It's too hot to wear them and I think my legs still look fine bare. There's an article in the most recent More magazine on on how to cover your legs with makeup and self-tanner to minimize veins and discolorations. I use the self tanning moisturizer that they recommend and I do think it helps hide imperfections. I haven't tried cover-up or foundation but I definitely would. Here's the link to the article - Legs that can't go bare. Has anyone tried this?

I have no great love for panyhose whether it's winter, summer, spring or fall but to me they are a necessary evil for a finished look. The self tanners might make legs look ok, but inevitably they blotch somewhere on the feet which makes wearing open toe sandals impossible.

One problem that I have with self tanners is the smell...I can pass someone in the store and smell the stuff. I had the same problem the few times that I tried to use it. I sniffed tube after tube and never found one that didn't stink to me even when my friends would say they didn't find the smell offensive.

Then there is the issue that I have with unnecessary chemicals; I would rather suffer with a pair of hose a couple of times a year than slather on any more products that I have to.

I agree with those of you who find pantyhose hot and stuffy. I will wear stockings as they are so much cooler and very sexy. I don't know how 'mini' your dress is, or how formal the occasion. I have been known to show a glimpse of lace top at a disco for example. You could also wear a mini slip with a lace hem showing.

I do not find pantyhose hot and stuffy at all. Maybe you are wearing the wrong brand. If you buy the more expensive ones, they won't make your legs itch. Pantyhose are just part of my wardrobe like bras and panties are and I would never go out without wearing those either! Pantyhose just give my legs a more smooth and finished look. Tanned legs are not an excuse to use so you don't have to wear hose. Besides, tanned legs are for the beach, not to showcase when you wear a nice dress and heels. As for wearing stockings, I have never tried wearing them before.