Top 5 Pantyhose Rules

What could be more feminine than a pair of silky smooth pantyhose? I get a ton of questions about this topic, so let’s talk PANTYHOSE.

As you’ve probably noticed, not many women wear pantyhose these days. But that doesn’t mean YOU can’t wear them. The secret is to choose hose that make you look sexy and stylish – not like you stepped out of a time warp from the 80’s. Follow these 5 pantyhose rules and I guarantee you can’t go wrong:

Rule #1: Only wear nude or black pantyhose

Stick to the basics when it comes to hosiery and only wear nude or black pantyhose. (Coloured tights are a different story. See Rule #5.) If you wear black hose, make sure that they’re jet black – not grey-black or brown-black.

Rule #2: Go for sheer nude hose that matches your skin tone

The #1 rule for nude hose is to match your skin tone as closely as possible. Don’t even think about “suntan” pantyhose unless that’s your actual skin tone!

The #2 rule for nude hose is to buy the sheerest hosiery you can find. Nude pantyhose should be like the foundation you wear on your face: invisible, but enhancing.

High-end hose brands (like Donna Karan and Calvin Klein) offer lots of nude shades to choose from, so you should be able to find a perfect match.

Rule #3: Buy the best quality hose you can afford.

Most crossdressers and transgender women have great legs, so it pays to show them off with good pantyhose. There’s a big difference between drug store brands and department store brands. My favourite high quality hosiery brands include:

• Wolford
• Spanx
• Donna Karan
• Calvin Klein
• Nordstrom

Rule #4: Coordinate your hose with your shoes.

If you wear black pantyhose, wear black shoes for the most streamlined look. Nude hose gives you the most options: You can pair them with any colour of shoes. For the most leg-lengthening look, try wearing nude hose with nude shoes.

Just remember: NO pantyhose with sandals or open toed shoes! (A small peep toe is fine.)

Rule #5: Try tights

Tights are a great alternative to pantyhose – especially when it’s cold out. (A P.S. to the U.K. ladies who call pantyhose and tights the same thing: In the U.S. tights are made of thicker material.) Tights are less formal, but they tend to look more modern and youthful than pantyhose.

The pantyhose rules DON’T apply to tights, so experiment with different colours, styles, and textures. Funky tights can totally make an outfit!