[gr8fx]

O.k. ladies, I was just reading an article on a career-development website that said pantyhose are now a thing of the past! The article, which is written by a fashion and business expert (with lots of credentials - very impressive), says that walking into an interview with pantyhose screams "I'm stuck in the past" and "I'm not serious about my image". She claims that opaque tights are fine in cold weather, must always be black and are only to be worn with boots, which are apparently the ONLY footwear you are to don in the winter months.

So, it's black opaque tights/black boots only in cold weather and bare legs throughout the rest of the year? Am I really off base here? How does everyone feel about the pantyhose issue? Also, when deciding "hose or bare" keep in mind that some of us are over 40 and over a size 4! Any recommendations - so I no longer feel as if I look like a Dynasty reject from the 80's - would be greatly appreciated!

[ljmorgan]

I think that as long as you have clothing that fits (please, for the love of all that is holy, do not wear the skirt that hugs your hiney and it looks like you can't sit) and look "put together" it won't matter if you have hopeless hose on!

I have given up wearing skirts for the most part because I hate hose. I wear knee-hi's and shoes that the puppy hasn't chewed.

Oh and you'll not look like a Dynasty reject as long as you get rid of the shoulder pads and high hair!

[Robin Holtson]

Do you think you'll be taken serious when walking into the Board room with bare legs? Do you want your male peers to be concerned with your fashion sense, or your business sense? Spend a day at a major corporate office; I doubt you'll see many women not wearing hose.

[DonnaFromPhilly]

I don't know what all the hate with wearing Pantyhose. Just because someone says that a fasion is out of style and may come with "with lots of credentials" does not make then an expert.
I wear them everyday no matter what the weather is Hot or cold. Pantyhose have come a long way since the 60, 70, and even 80's and they are much more comfortable to wear. I wear the higher end hose, and they don't run as easy, and are more comfortable today then in the 70's & 80's with the new fibers.
Think of hose as make-up for the legs. If you take a 10 - 30 minutes in the morning to makeup your face and do your hair, and pick an outfit, then why not take an extra 5 minutes to makeup your legs, AND LOOK PROFESSIONAL.
So I say find a brand of hose you like the feel and fit, and start showing your legs in hose. Hollywood is starting to wear hose again, and they are showing up on runways as well.

[shaubold]

I too opt for many professional pant suits that I can wear knee highs with. However, I actually work in an office where not wearing hose is OK. I reserve this for only the summer months when it is 80-90 degrees in South Carolina, my skirts those days are longer than knee length, I have gained a little tan (or bought one in a can) and I have an appropriate pair of sling back pumps (toes covered) that I can wear. For the most part, I am opting back in to wearing hose because it looks more professional. I work for the President of our firm so my professionalism is a direct extension of him. My attire is expected to reflect how all personnel in our office should dress (the top down effect).

[gr8fx]

Great responses, thanks!

I, too, always thought that it was ALWAYS looked upon as more professional to wear hosiery in the work place, but as I researched I found a surprising number of articles written by reputable news sources, that are starting to seriously question the pantyhose debate. Here are some quotes:

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
"The fashion shift has left some baby-boomer managers feeling that their hose make them look frumpy. Kathy Garland, the 54-year-old chairwoman of the Northern Dallas area for the National Association of Women Business Owners, said she finally threw out a bag full of hose last week. An executive coach herself, she noticed a few years ago that she was the only woman wearing hose at a formal business fund-raiser. "Younger women don't even think about pantyhose," she said."

ABC NEWS:
"Not so long ago, pantyhose were marketed to women as a symbol of professionalism and liberation, and were considered part of the workplace dress code."

"An unofficial survey found that most large companies, including Coca-Cola, Microsoft and insurance giant AFLAC, do not require women to wear hosiery. Women in New York also said that virtually no one they know wears pantyhose to work, and if they were required to, there might be an uprising."


TIME/CNN BLOG "Work in Progress":
(Advice from a career expert/professional career coach when asked about hosiery etiquette in the workplace. FYI, she's all for hose for the most part.)
"The type of shoe. Stockings should not be worn with sandals, but wearing sandals can be sexy and displaying one's toes can be unsightly!..."

This is what I'm getting from my quasi-research: Pantyhose are considered more professional when wearing a suit, especially if you live in the midwest. Hose are almost a must-have for any woman who does NOT have the legs of a 20-something, Brazilian-born super model. And here's something I really did NOT know - men find women who wear pantyhose in the workplace much more attractive, and yes sometimes even downright s*xy, versus bare legs (except for the Brazilian-born model). That really threw a wrench in it for me! I thought wearing pantyhose would look much more professional and NOT make the "wrong" impression, if you know what I mean.

Here's the final thought on everything I read: Wearing pantyhose is generational! If you have been working since before 1990, like I have, then more than likely you are used to having to wear pantyhose. Younger women, GenX and GenY, are not. Some have never even owned a pair! So does that mean wearing pantyhose DOES make you seem older and frumpier? Yes, I know, in the workplace we aren't supposed to care about old and frumpy, but we DO want to have a great first impression and a classy, sophisticated image. Just some things to mull over!

[badgergirl]

I am one of those great people who is either in GenX or GenY depending on who you talk to. Saying that I do wear hose when I wear a skirt. I always thought that hosiery was optional when wearing pants (suit pants not capris which are not appropriate for work anyway) but a must when wearing a skirt. Slips are the only things I don't think should be worn, simply because it is too easy to show.

[teo]

Oh ljmorgan! Thank you for that hearty giggle you just gave me! I see all poster's points of view and am just happy as all heck that I don't have to wear them! This is definitely an interesting topic for me as I just talked to my class yesterday about dressing for an interview...saying that it's much easier to be under dressed for an interview than over dressed! Well, have a great day and happy hose wearing everyone!

[Chrissy Scivicque]

What a great conversation going on!! I'd like to add my two cents if I may...

I think the recommendation that really threw me off was opaque tights and boots being the only acceptable thing for winter. How strange is that? Boots are required? What about a nice pair of sensible closed-toed shoes - flats or heels? And as far as pantyhose goes, I personally am a fan. They give you a nice shape and, for a pale gal like me, they add some color. If they are "old school" so be it. I certainly don't think I'm judged on such a thing when I walk into an interview. And, if a prospective boss considered me "stuck in the past" for it, I would be incredibly put off. My fashion sense, in many ways, is NOT my most bankable skill. As long as I'm not applying to work in the fashion industry, I shouldn't think that would have any impact on my being hired. Let my resume speak for where I am - past, present or whatever.

All of this being said, I wear a lot of pants, I go without pantyhose all the time (though not that often at work), and I am a big fan of opaque tights and boots. This is SUCH a complicated issue!

[PRgirl]

I am 21 years old and hose are fine..in the winter..also they DO NOT have to be worn with just boots..closed toe shoes are fine. No hose with open toe though. Hose can look good and are very professional. Especially in the winter months! I am in PR and wear hose all winter, even thought I do not have too but bare legs in the winter is ridiculous. The summer months, no hose. THe winter months, always hose! OH and NO panty hose with pants..cmon MAYBE knee high but that is just old fashioned and why would you do that to yourself?