Pantyhose have been a staple in women’s fashion for decades. While bare legs may be the trend today, wearing pantyhose with dresses and skirts provides certain benefits that can make them a stylish choice in the right circumstances.
Pantyhose first became popular in the 1960s as a convenient alternative to stockings and garter belts. They provided opaque coverage for women’s legs, smoothing over imperfections and adding a polished finish to any outfit. For several decades, it was practically a requirement for professional women to wear pantyhose with dresses and skirts in the workplace.
Fashions changed in the 1990s and 2000s, with bare legs coming into vogue. The comfort and practicality of pantyhose were eschewed in favor of showing more skin. Many professional dress codes relaxed, with pantyhose no longer mandatory. This led to a decline in sales of traditional nude pantyhose.
In recent years, we’ve seen the return of pantyhose on fashion runways and in street style. Textured and colored tights have replaced the standard nude pantyhose of the past. With the right pair, pantyhose can look modern, stylish, and sophisticated.
So should you wear pantyhose with a dress in today’s fashion landscape? Here are some factors to consider when deciding if pantyhose are fashionable for your outfit.
Benefits of Wearing Pantyhose
There are several potential benefits to wearing pantyhose that may make them a fashionable choice:
- Smoothing: Pantyhose create a smooth appearance for your legs, masking imperfections like cellulite, veins, scars, or razor bumps.
- Warmth: In colder weather, pantyhose add a layer to keep your legs warmer under skirts and dresses.
- Coverage: Pantyhose provide coverage so you don’t have to worry about flashing your underwear.
- Glamour: The sheen and slight shine of pantyhose can make your legs look more polished and elegant.
- Leg health: Some medical professionals recommend lightweight compression pantyhose to aid circulation and reduce swelling in legs.
These useful attributes help explain why pantyhose continue to be prevalent in women’s fashion.
Current Pantyhose Trends
While traditional nude pantyhose may seem outdated, modern innovations in textiles and design have created new styles of tights and pantyhose that are fashion-forward. Some current trends include:
- Patterns: Pantyhose with graphic prints, stripes, polka dots, and floral designs provide visual interest.
- Textures: Sheer tights with lace, open knits, or ribbed textures update the look.
- Colors: Vibrant colored pantyhose in shades like emerald, sapphire, and ruby make a statement.
- Opaque tights: Thicker opaque tights come in matte or shiny finishes, resembling leggings.
- Reinforced toes: Sheer pantyhose with reinforced toes lend a minimalist look.
These modern styles allow you to wear pantyhose while still looking current and on-trend.
Considerations for Wearing Pantyhose
There are a few factors to consider when deciding if pantyhose are fashionable for a particular event or outfit:
- Formality – Sheer pantyhose add formality to an outfit, so they’re well suited for weddings, religious services, funerals, and other formal occasions.
- Hemline – Knee-length or longer hemlines best complement pantyhose for a leg-lengthening effect.
- Fabric – Matte pantyhose pair well with delicate fabrics and textures like lace, chiffon, tweed, linen, or satin.
- Shoes – Pointed toe pumps, kitten heels, and booties balance pantyhose in a classic way.
- Season – During colder months, colored opaque tights keep you warm under skirts and dresses.
Considering these factors can prevent fashion faux pas when incorporating pantyhose into an outfit.
Expert Opinions
Fashion experts and trend forecasters have weighed in on the question of whether pantyhose are still fashionable. Here are some notable opinions:
- Tim Gunn has said that “correctly chosen hosiery lends polish to any outfit.”
- Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe remarked “I’m obsessed with pantyhose. I wear them with everything.”
- Harper’s Bazaar declared “Hosiery is having a comeback” in a 2018 article highlighting textured tights on the runway.
- The trend forecasting agency WGSN predicted the return of pantyhose as part of the “90s revival” fashion trend.
- Marie Claire advised their readers to “give your nude pantyhose a break and step into something more modern.”
Based on these opinions, pantyhose are back in style, but with an updated look compared to traditional nude hosiery. Stylish women are experimenting with colored, textured, and patterned tights to add interest to their outfits.
When to Wear Pantyhose
Here are some specific scenarios where wearing pantyhose with a dress would be fashion-forward:
- The Office – Sheer black pantyhose add polish to professional looks like pencil skirts and sheath dresses.
- Parties – Festive red or gold shimmery pantyhose make a statement for holiday parties.
- Formal Wedding – Brides can wear silky white pantyhose, while guests might choose a subtle lace pattern.
- Cocktail Attire – Patterned or colored pantyhose pair well with cocktail dresses.
- Graduation – Sheer black pantyhose complement a cap and gown for high school or college graduation.
Matching pantyhose to the formality of the event helps ensure you’re both fashionable and appropriate.
When to Go Bare Legged
There are also instances where bare legs may be the better fashion choice:
- Casual Daytime – Bare legs have a more relaxed vibe appropriate for daytime shopping, brunch, picnics, and other casual activities.
- At the Beach – Bare legs are comfortable and breezy for the boardwalk, poolside, or on the sand.
- Working Out – Gym clothes call for bare legs for freedom of movement.
- Younger Ages – Teens and young women often sport bare legs for a youthful look.
- Hot Humid Weather – When it’s sweltering out, bare legs stay cooler.
During warm weather or casual settings, bare legs are likely the better choice for comfort and keeping current with mainstream trends.
How to Style Pantyhose
Here are some tips for styling pantyhose in a fashionable way:
- Choose control top pantyhose to avoid sagging around the thighs and waist.
- With mini skirts, go for colored or patterned tights to balance the hemline.
- For the office, sheer suntan or black pantyhose are best for an elegant finish.
- Bring visual interest with a decorative backseam running up the back of the leg.
- Pair textured tights with equally textured shoes, like suede booties.
- Add kitschy flair with polka dot or striped patterned pantyhose.
- Select nude pantyhose with a skin tone matching yours for a leg-lengthening effect.
- Consider attaching your pantyhose to a garter belt for extra support.
Keep these tips in mind when shopping for pantyhose to find a pair that complements your personal style.
Caring for Pantyhose
To extend the wear of your pantyhose and keep them looking fabulous:
- Hand wash used pantyhose gently with mild soap and let air dry.
- Store unused pairs folded neatly in a drawer, not hanging or scrunched up.
- Apply moisturizer before wearing to prevent snags from dry skin.
- Consider reusable hosiery garters instead of using sticky waistbands.
- Handle new pantyhose carefully and don’t pull too hard when putting them on.
- Check your nails for snags before wearing to prevent holes or runs.
With proper care, your favorite pairs of pantyhose can last through multiple wears.
Conclusion
Pantyhose can be fashionable when chosen for the appropriate context. The updated styles and designs available today lend themselves well to modern looks. Sheer pantyhose in colors and patterns paired with dresses and skirts of the appropriate hemline and formality provides a put-together, polished aesthetic. The smoothing effect and leg coverage pantyhose offer make them useful even as beauty standards have shifted. Ultimately, fashion has cyclical trends, and pantyhose appear to be making a comeback if styled tastefully. With the range of styles now available, it’s easy to find a pair that suits your personal taste.
Pantyhose Popularity Over Time
Here is a table showing the popularity of pantyhose over the past decades:
| Decade | Pantyhose Popularity |
|---|---|
| 1960s | Gain mass popularity |
| 1970s | Considered a wardrobe essential |
| 1980s | Remain extremely common |
| 1990s | Bare legs come into vogue |
| 2000s | Decline in popularity |
| 2010s | Resurgence in textured/colored styles |
This table illustrates how pantyhose fell out of favor in the 1990s and 2000s, but have been regaining popularity in the 2010s as new styles emerge. The prevalence of pantyhose has fluctuated with changing fashion trends over the decades.