By Jocelyn Johnson
Stockings and pantyhose (tights) are an important piece of clothing for most of us ladies. But why? Why do we love to pull up leg coverings? Why do we love the way we look while wearing hosiery?
Let’s look at how civilization got here. Believe it or not, tights can be traced all the way back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Greeks. Men wore leggings as a form of armour or protection, while women wore stockings made of silk or wool. In the Renaissance era tights became a symbol of high fashion, for men. They were often brightly coloured and adorned with intricate patterns and designs.
It wasn’t until the early 20th century that stockings started to become a staple of women’s fashion. During the 1920s, women began wearing silk stockings that were held up by garters. This was a revolutionary fashion statement at the time, as it allowed women to show off their legs in a way that was previously considered scandalous.
However, silk stockings were expensive and easily damaged, so in the 1940s and 1950s, nylon stockings became the norm. These stockings were more affordable and durable, but they were still held up by garters. It wasn’t until the 1960s that pantyhose, as we know them today, became popular.
Hemlines started to rise and women showing a lot of leg was not scandalous at all.
The 60s were a time of revolution, and fashion was no exception. Women began wearing pantyhose instead of stockings, and they were able to express their individuality and sense of freedom through their fashion choices. Pantyhose were versatile, comfortable, and allowed women to show off their legs in a way that was both stylish and liberating.
Hosiery smoothed the leg, created uniformity of leg colour, and provided a sensuous look to the female body. Different types of colour and design allowed pantyhose to augment the female wardrobe. It increased a woman’s attractiveness.
When I dress I really need to increase my attractiveness. My choices of pantyhose and stay-up stockings is very limited. I used (35 years ago) to wear a garter belt and stockings, but since my second coming (six years ago) I only wear pantyhose or stay-up stockings. (A trick I found to keep my stay-ups, up, is to apply some skin lotion to my thighs where the top of the stockings will end. It provides a little extra stickiness.)
My preferred choice of colours is black, grey and nude; see photos. The photo with a friend and myself shows a comparison of sheer black and nude. The photos illustrate pantyhose and stay-up styles.
BUT, during my last outing I went full out colour; see photo with red legs. I was shopping in a Kohl’s store near Cleveland, and I saw the red tights, and I immediately knew they would work with the skirt and top I would be wearing that evening.
I absolutely love the experience of sliding stockings up my legs. My whole aura changes. My legs become sensuous, my being becomes ultra feminine.
How do you feel putting on hosiery? What colours and textures do you like? Do you wear pantyhose/stay-ups every time you go out?
During the last twenty years women have been rejecting pantyhose and stockings. But I read that the trend to colourful leg choices is making a comeback. The right choice of stockings completely changes the way a woman looks and feels.
I always knew our sisterhood was ahead of the curve.
Love all of you, Jocelyn
15 Responses
Hi Jocelyn:
Intriguing post! I confess that pantyhose were my gateway drug. Starting late into my CD journey, putting on my wife’s discarded pantyhose was a secret pleasure, and among the first items I bought for myself when I began in earnest. I so enjoyed the way they look and felt – so sensual. I wear them with all outfits now – even shorts and pants – no bare legs for me. In terms of color I prefer either “almost black” or “suntan” – avoiding colors that either obscure the leg or too sheer and reveal my pasty legs. Looking to expand into patterns.
Kris
Kris,
Great to hear from you.
It is amazing how great we feel while wearing hosiery. And how feminine we look.
I agree with you that patterns will be my next experiment.
I must confess that I actually went out once with no stockings. It was an extremely hot day and I was wearing teal shorts and t- shirt, with running shoes.
Thank you for your thoughts.
Jocelyn
Hosiery of some sort is a must for me as my aging legs, although still nicely shaped, have too many spider veins. I only wear dresses: not a pair of pants in my wardrobe. At home I wear a garter-girdle and traditional stockings. The garter-girdle covers the abdomen while making it easier to pee. When out of my home it is pantyhose for modesty.
Stephanie,
I think pantyhose is great. But I never thought of wearing them for “modesty”.
I couldn’t imagine wearing a dress or skirt without hosiery on my legs.
Thank you for your comments.
Jocelyn
“Modesty” is a nice way to say I do not want a male “bulge” to become visible and ruin the effect, while at the same time, not strangling my private parts in manners that I read about. Ouch! Maybe, a guy can get away with accentuating his “package” on a beach with a form fitting bathing suit, but male “bulges” in a dress…..not so much.
I now understand what you are saying.
Thanks for clarifying.
Jocelyn,
I understand your and many other love of stockings, but I confess I am different. I have pantyhose, stockings, fishnets, and several garter belts BUT I almost never wear them. My legs are essentially hairless, 8 years of waxing 3-4 times per year has eliminated almost all my hair on my legs. Starting now, early spring, I sit out in my bikini for 30 minutes a day 2-3 times a week and my legs get a nice tan. In the spring through fall, I wear a lot of open toe high heel sandals and mules, I want my pedicures to show and you can’t do that with socks of any kind.
Cali
Cali,
Thank you for your thoughts.
That is what is fabulous about being feminine. Our wardrobe choices are infinite.
You without hosiery, and me with.
Take care,
Jocelyn
Good morning Jocelyn,
I’m with you girl, I absolutely love wearing nylons the shearer the better. Back in the day I wore pantyhose always mainly because there were no stay up stockings back then. Once they came out I was hooked. The first time I slid these sensuous silky articles of femininity up my legs I knew I would rarely wear panty hose again. It was also the way to go because with panty hose once you had a run in them they were toast. But with stockings you only lose half should one get a run. I also love how, if you wear a mini skirt, with stay ups, a little bit of the stocking tops always show when a girl sits. Just a tantalizing glimpse of them. I love the photo’s Jocelyn you look so put together and pretty as well as having a gorgeous set of gams. Thank you for your post girl. I love you to pieces.
Trish ❤️
Trish ❤️
Trish,
You are making me blush. Thank you.
I think you and I are in the same Sisterhood. Stay-ups are best. If you look at the photo of me wearing the nude coloured stockings and sitting in the chair, you can get a glimpse of the top of my hosiery. A little tantalizing.
But you Trish have one of the best set of legs I have ever seen; long and shapely. Have you ever worn brightly coloured stockings or pantyhose? Talk about an eye catcher!
Thank you for your very kind words and thoughts.
Love,
Jocelyn
Jocelyn,
I’m from the generation brought up on Stockings and suspenders ( yes I’m a Brit !) I loved them . For me the biggest loss in the High Street is the choice of coloured underwear , my favourite was Charnos , I adored all my underwear matching , bra , panties , suspender belt , slip and cami and the icing on the cake a lovely pair of fine denier stockings , I had several colours . From choice I still prefer to wear stockings ( if I can find them ) and suspenders , they are so comfortable if they fit is right , to me they are more practical especially if you can find multi packs so if you ladder one it’s easy to replace without discarding a whole pair of tights . Also the make using the bathroom a little easier ! In the cooler times of the year I do switch to tights , quality does tend to vary but I’ve found a great make in a large out of town store . I usually buy 60 denier in three colours , black , chocolate brown and navy so I have the right shade for the colour of my skirt and boots .
Do I still find it special to wear them ? My opaque tights , NO , as I know it’s something to keep me warm and still look smart . Stockings , YES , as I usually wear them for special days or evenings out , a little touch of glamour !
I have tried holdup stockings with mixed results , most eventually end up going south ! My gender counsellor told me a lovely story of wearing them to work on one occasion , she was in a hurry and had to walk or run quickly across the car park , by the time she reached the security guy at the door they were arranged round her ankles . She told the guy it was a new fashion trend she was trying , they were called ankle muffs !!!
Teresa,
There are some advantages to be older. We have lived through many fashion eras, and we can choose the style that best matches our mood.
Garter and stockings are always tantalizing. But stay-ups allow the same freedom, feelings and colour choices. Nothing says “look at me” for a woman than wearing great looking hosiery.
Have you tried my trick of applying skin lotion to your thighs before putting on the stay-ups? I have never had a problem since I started doing that. Albeit I have never run while being fashionably dressed.
Thank you for your thoughts and stories.
Jocelyn
Jocelyn, nice post about a subject of particular significance to me, both from my fascination with girls who wore them in my 1960s & early 1970s formative years and from memories of the fateful day in the mid 1970s when I had my first taste of crossdressing.
And half a century on, nothing’s changed!
Amanda,
Thank you for your thoughts.
I think the stockings are the way we all first “got hooked”. It is amazing that such a simple thing could make us feel and look so special. Stockings are mesmerizing.
And the good news is we can buy them in so many different colours, styles and textures.
Thanks dear friend.
Jocelyn
Jocelyn, I’ll admit my CD journey began as a 10 year old finding mom’s girdle and realizing the amazing sensation of rolling the nylons up the the legs and some how manipulating the nylons to the garters. Finding a silk slip, and my CD was hooked forever. Fast forward to the last ten years (70 + now),
I have accepted pantyhose and thigh highs (stay ups). Thank you for the lotion tip on the upper leg to help “stay up” the thigh highs lol
Leonara 🌹