Work in Progress, Worklife, Workplace, TIME

June 9, 2008 8:02

Pantyhose at work: yea or nay

Posted by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen | Comments (57) | Permalink | Trackbacks (0) | Email This

In my region today, the temperature is slated to hit 100. Degrees. Fahrenheit. That's, like, steel-mill hot. That's cereal-for-dinner hot. That's I'd-rather-die-than-wear-pantyhose hot.

I'm working from home today as I count down to the birth of my child later this week. But if I were heading into the office, I'll tell you what I wouldn't be wearing: pantyhose. What sane person would willingly don nylon sheaths on their legs in this kind of temp? Then again, I wouldn't wear hose in any weather, for any circumstance. I don't in fact own any nylons, and likely never will again.

Recently I wrote in the magazine about what (not) to wear at the office. One of my sources, Barbara Pachter, who earns up to six gees a day advising corporations on business etiquette, told me: nylons are a must. I totally, emphatically disagree. Last week Pachter, author of NewRules@Work: 79 Etiquette Tips, Tools, and Techniques to Get Ahead and Stay Ahead, sent me some counter-arguments. Here's what she says you should consider when deciding whether or not to wear hose for business:

1. Remember you are dressing for work. The real question is not: Stockings or no stockings? The real question is: Is my clothing appropriate for my workplace? Wearing stockings will not fix an outfit that is too tight, too big, too revealing, too short, too casual, too anything!

2. Are you wearing pants or a skirt? More and more women are wearing pants or pantsuits to the office. As a result, their legs are not exposed and the question of whether to wear stockings or not becomes moot. When a woman wears a very short skirt, which is not recommended, and then wears that skirt without stockings, she makes a sexy look, even sexier.

3. What is the condition of your legs? Legs need to be in good conditions to pull off not wearing stockings. If your legs have a lot of moles, scars or veracious veins, stockings will diminish their appearance. And by all means women need to remember to shave their legs!

4. The hue/tone/color of your skin. Will the contrast between the color of your skin and the color of your clothing draw a lot of attention to your legs? Is that where you want people to look? Stockings can minimize the contrast.

5. 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 brings us to flip-flops. But why are women wearing flip-flops to the office? It’s work, not the beach!

Pantyhose at work: yea or nay?

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Reader Comments (57)

MB:

I think it is about what message you want to send. I think that bare legs can be viewed as sexy, which may not be a good thing, depending on where you are. In my line of work, I absolutely cannot imagine going into a meeting with other gov't officials or those of a foreign government wearing a suit and no stockings. Just like I would expect a man to be wearing a suit with a tie!

That being said, it is hotter than (something) here too, and I am not wearing pantyhose today because of it. I do not have any meetings today with anyone outside my office, so I feel okay about it.

Posted by MB | June 9, 2008 8:13 AM

MB:

PS - Lisa, do you have a plan in place to let us know when the baby arrives?

Posted by MB | June 9, 2008 8:13 AM

13enster:

If I was robbing a bank or convenience store I might consider it...

Posted by 13enster | June 9, 2008 8:43 AM

homegirl:

Here in Florida, almost all of my employers made pantyhose optional year round because of our weather. The no-hose option became popular here right around the time business-casual made its appearance. I refused to show any bare leg at work so I always wore pantyhose if my legs were showing. But most of the time I wore ankle or floor length skirts and dresses so I wouldn't need the hosiery. Although sometimes when you're pregnant, those support hose feel kinda good.

Posted by homegirl | June 9, 2008 8:54 AM

Molly:

I do think it depends on the circumstance. I'm sitting at my desk wearing a skirt that goes just below my knees with open-toed shoes and no hose. My office (in an academic department at a university) is fairly casual, though -- I try to dress a level or two above the students I see daily, but that isn't difficult. Typically, as long as I'm not wearing workout clothes, pajamas, or holey jeans, I'm good.

Posted by Molly | June 9, 2008 9:14 AM

Rosie:

Yeah I understand her points but I also would have to disagree. I think it depends on the environment - geographically and what type of office environment. I only wear hose if it's a formal occasion. Even then I think it's less taboo to go without. Then again I've always kinda supported flip flops at work. Hahaa - I just think they're comfortable.

I understand being professionally dressed but if I don't have to meet with a client or customer then I think I should be allowed to wear what I want. This is not my company's policy, however, and I don't wear flops to work.

If I think that the pantyhose issue is going to be a problem then I just wear pants.

Posted by Rosie | June 9, 2008 9:32 AM

Prklypear:

Do you mean varicose veins? Veracious means 'truthful', which doesn't really make sense...anyhow, I think it strongly depends on your profession and work environment. There are some jobs where it is totally OK to go sans hose, but if you work in an office where you need to wear a suit, chances are you should be wearing stockings.

Posted by Prklypear | June 9, 2008 10:14 AM

demwoman:

You're kidding, right? By all means, let's buy into the male-generated stereotypes!

Too sexy? Are we parading up and down the corridors between the cubicles flashing our gams at every salivating male in the department? Or is it just too tantalizing for us to make our way from the door to our desk with our naked appendages? Well, why not just invest in a nice bhurka, then, so we don't upset anyone?

And, when was the last time a pocked or scar-faced male was advised to stick a nylon sheath over his head so as not to be too distracting?

If my legs are well-groomed and I'm behaving professionally it's my business and no one else's whether or not I choose to wear panty hose, and frankly, most of the time I choose not to. If this is the most important thing people I work with have to focus on, as opposed to, say, my, or more relevantly THEIR work performance, for instance, then it's not my lack of polyester casing that's the problem.

Haven't we gotten any further in the men are judged on performance and women on appearance continuum than having to debate whether or not we should have to wear pantyhose when the temperatures are soaring near 100, or what equally uncomfortable leg-covering measures we need to take in lieu?

And to think women of this generation believe there's no need for feminism any more...

Posted by demwoman | June 9, 2008 10:15 AM

Heidi:

I work in a hospital (though I'm not in a direct patient contact job) so if I do wear a skirt, I have to wear pantyhose. It's 90+ degrees (feels like 115 with the humidity) here in Pittsburgh and if I could get away with it, I'd be bare legged and open toe'd all the way. However, it's hospital policy that bare legs, open toe'd shoes (sandals included) are banned no matter what gender you are (men can't wear sandals without socks and no one can wear shorts). So I wore pants today with the shortest socks I could get away with and a pair of loafers that I can slip off and on whenever I'm at my desk.

Posted by Heidi | June 9, 2008 10:20 AM

EmilyStarbuck

Yuck -- I'm with you on this one, Lisa. I live in Texas, where most summer days are in the high 90s or low 100s. Pantyhose is not even an option. Nobody in my office wears them. This morning after running my dog outside, I worked up a sweat. After putting on a silk short-sleeved shirt to wear to work, I was still so hot, I ended up putting on a cotton sleeveless blouse. This weather is so oppressive here in the summers, I can't imagine enduring nylon-encased legs all day. Ick.

By the way, good luck with the lil' Cullen on the way...hope everything goes well!

Posted by EmilyStarbuck | June 9, 2008 10:29 AM

demwoman:

And RE varicose veins: they are a medical condition. To suggest that women need to cover up a medical condition because someone else might find it distracting is not only insensitive, it's probably a violation of EEO laws, to boot!

Posted by demwoman | June 9, 2008 10:43 AM

MrsMoto:

Regarding Prklypear's thought....

"Do you mean varicose veins? Veracious means 'truthful', which doesn't really make sense..."

I thought about that and while the Webster's definition might not seem to fit...the 'truth' of it is that if you're not 23 anymore....those wonderful badges of truth are usually starting to crop up.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch: Part of me misses the corporate atmosphere as I work now in a casual office in the tech sector [I refer to most of my team as 'the chimps in the treehouse' despite what HR says...HR doesn't have to DEAL with them on a daily basis!] and jeans, flip flops, shorts....yoga pants, it all happens here.

The other part of me says that there are days that having to shave, etc. etc. then work myself into nylons without perforating them with the nails I work MUCH harder to cultivate....Ech. Who needs it? I have a black pair of hose for black-skirt days. That's it.

As with all other things in life: there is a time and place for everything, and a fit and proper time for each option, or lack thereof.

Posted by MrsMoto | June 9, 2008 11:00 AM

Gerry

I'm just waiting for the rule change that lets men wear shorts to work. Then you'd see the need to shave or wear hose suddenly disappear. It would be nice to wear shorts on a hot day like today.

Demwoman is on target. What year is it? And we're still concerned about a woman's bare legs? Lordy, lordy, lordy.

My thoughts on flip-flops at work are the same about pantyhose: I couldn't care less what people wear on their feet. Show up, do your work, and everyone gets home at a decent hour--that means more to me than any dress code. Go barefoot. Hell, walk on your hands, ride a scooter, use a pogo stick for all I care, just get your work done.

Posted by Gerry | June 9, 2008 11:48 AM

Carney:

There's just no substitute for pantyhose. It's the indispensable element for a woman's fully formal dress outfit, the equivalent of the man's necktie.

In fact, some of the complaints and arguments about pantyhose and neckties are the same. They're confining, hot and stuffy. They're stodgy and old-fashioned. They fit poorly and are impractical. I can TOO look professional without them. And just what do clothes have to do with my qualifications anyway? (Note, throughout, the unimpressive adolescent whining tone, like a teenager who doesn't want to dress for church.)

Men who complain that ties are chokingly constrictive are really complaining that their collars are too tight when buttoned up. They've grown too fat for their shirts and don't want to admit it. Solution: admit it; ditch your old shirts, and buy ones with a neck size that lets you button the top button and remain comfortable. After which your necktie is a mere adornment you don't even notice.

Similarly, women who complain about ill-fitting pantyhose often refuse to admit how big their waists, bottoms, and thighs are. Unlike those loose and comfy sweatpants back home, pantyhose, despite being stretchy, are unforgiving. Those size charts mean something. Buy and wear only the hose that fit the weight you are at NOW, not the weight you imagine you are supposed to be at, and which is your "real" weight, with your current weight supposedly being a temporary aberration or soon-to-be-overcome obstacle. Blaming pantyhose in general when you insist on wearing a size (or two!) down is idiotic, yet some do it. If you are a Queen size, or have to get a Just My Size or some other specialty brand, do it. Similarly, special sizes are available for the tall/long-legged (see outlets like MyTights.com).

As for being unnatural, preventing your skin from breathing, etc., the same could be said for makeup, yet few women venture out to a destination they care about fully au naturel.

No matter how young you are or how taut, smoothly textured, evenly colored, blemish- and vein-free your skin is, you benefit from attractive and wisely chosen hose, just as you would makeup.

Yes, too-thick and hideously colored hose/makeup looks awful, but that's not an issue of whether to wear the hose/makeup, but instead an issue of what kind to wear.

And let's talk about heat. First, bare legs get sticky, clammy, and yucky on warm humid days, especially when crossed. Hose can feel warmer but they do help wick away sweat and keep legs dry and smooth.

It's true that completely enclosed shoes can trap heat and moisture, so in summer it's probably wise to wear shoes that are more ventilated and open. While toes in the office are questionable at best, there are certainly strappy, sling back, and other options available to let in air. And if you want to compromise on the toes issue, there are sandalfoot hose (including seamless if you dread the giveaway seam), toeless hose (which are silly IMO), and even hose with "mitten feet" design letting you wear shoes with a separated big toe. http://tohos.com

Finally, there is summer hose. The makers have been hard at work on this, and there are styles now that are ultra sheer and feather-light (search for 10 denier and lower), and some fiber blends that are specifically meant for summer (polyurethane). Some even feature ingredients that feel cool.

As always, you get what you pay for. Women who formed their impressions of hose from wearing the cheapest pairs available can be excused for thinking all hose to be harsh scratchy sandpaper. Obviously they can be soft, silky smooth and a delight to wear, especially luxury / premium brands like Fogal, Falke, and Wolford. See Shapings.com, AlexBlake.com, etc.

As for complaints that hose were/are imposed by out-of-touch male management that would never tolerate a similarly (supposedly) uncomfortable and stodgy dress requirement, if that were ever true, the opposite is the case now.

In recent years, male management has been far more timid about enforcing office dress codes on women than on men, whether formally or through informal "peer pressure" or "office culture" techniques, for fear of being ground up in civil rights machinery. As a result, the gravitational tug we all feel toward being lazy, sloppy-casual has been resisted less with women, who have gotten away with more and greater casualness and laxity at the office than men.

Many offices where men still wear coats and ties, if not full-fledged suits 4 days a week, feature women in flip-flops, rumpled slacks, and t-shirts. Some male conspiracy! And a hollow victory for women and feminism, to insist on and achieve a look that is clearly less professional, authoritative, confident, and credibility-commanding.

And while pantsuits are great when it comes to projecting all these positive qualities, they are also severe and de-feminizing. Why put up with the attitude that competence and femininity (note: I am not talking about being inappropriately revealing or tight) are mutually exclusive? What man would tolerate being told that while his outfit is perfectly appropriate, sober and business like, he is just too attractively masculine to be taken seriously? Men treasure their masculinity and defend it, why don't women feel and do the same about their femininity?

As for being too delicate, it's true that pantyhose will not do consistently well in extreme "torture test" conditions. It's a bad idea to grab a pair fresh from the packet and, with callused hands and your long (or even worse, poorly clipped or bitten and non-filed) nails, hurriedly, forcefully yank them on over your stubbly legs, crusty heels, and jagged toenails.

Wearing hose is not a way to avoid and cover up the lack of regular hair removal and pedicures, and don't forget manicures as well. Hose also should be treated in advance of wearing with a wash like Hosiery Mate, which will make it not only softer but stronger. Finally, especially if your (well-filed and manicured) nails are long, hosiery gloves are very useful. See this page from Shapings.com (scroll down): http://tinyurl.com/mwx2r

Yes, being well-groomed, polished, and put together takes money, effort, planning, and time. That's life, but the rewards are great.

Especially in these days when most others are doing the rock-bottom minimum, making that effort will make you stand out strongly in a positive way, giving you a leg up :) on your competition. Again, there's just no substitute for pantyhose.

Posted by Carney | June 9, 2008 12:59 PM

skim:

Some alternative, non-sexist uses for pantyhose:

1. Hand puppet
2. Cheese cloth
3. Noose
4. Fish net (great for guppies and such)
5. Polish sausage casing

Posted by skim | June 9, 2008 1:55 PM

Prklypear:

Yikes! @Carney, you are awfully well-versed in pantyhose! The bottom line: it is perfectly possible to look professional, well-groomed and put-together without wearing hose - see Michelle Obama in her purple sheath and hoseless legs last week as a good example. Personal preference and the weather, work environment and specific work situation should dictate whether or not you wear hose. I can't imagine any employer actually saying, "let's give her the job/raise/bonus because she's wearing pantyhose."

Posted by Prklypear | June 9, 2008 1:59 PM

Lisa Takeuchi Cullen

Prkly--OMG! I'm sure Barbara Pachter *did* mean varicose veins. That's the best typo I've seen all year. Although I don't know about you, but I must say my own legs speak truth to power.

Skim:
6. Leash
7. Window-screen patch
8. Pedicure toe separator

Posted by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen | June 9, 2008 2:55 PM

hala:

One thing no one is bringing up is expense. Ties don't cost as much as women's hose. Well, one tie might be more expensive, but for me to wear a nice looking hose I would have to buy 3-5 a week which really adds up. My son (2 years old) even managed to destroy the last 3 ones I wore within minutes of me putting them on.

I personally wear hose only if i am dressed in "formal attire" which i rarely ever do.

Posted by hala | June 9, 2008 3:10 PM

Prklypear:

Lisa, could have been worse...voracious veins :)

more uses:
9. sachet
10. soft polishing cloth (great for shoes!)
11. hair scrunchies

Posted by Prklypear | June 9, 2008 3:33 PM

Heidi:

12. Soap holder for outdoors (ie camping) use. You can use a tiny sliver until it basically disappears that way. Thanks, Girl Scout camp!

Posted by Heidi | June 9, 2008 4:09 PM

chloelikedolivia:

Wow, Carney. You put more thoughts about pantyhose into one post than I think I've had in my entire life. Personally, I can't remember the last time I wore pantyhose. Tights, maybe, in the winter, but not pantyhose. For the record, I don't think I've worn more makeup than eyeliner and lipstick since I was acting in school plays, either, so maybe this is just a generational issue. I work long hours, earn a non-profit salary and live in NYC, so free time and extra spending money are both pretty precious for me. I can't imagine using a rare evening out of the office to get a manicure, buy or maintain hosiery, or even think about makeup.

Posted by chloelikedolivia | June 9, 2008 4:18 PM

skim:

13. Do-rag

Posted by skim | June 9, 2008 4:33 PM

PLD:

Maybe I'm too modern, or maybe I'm too young -- 23 -- but I think it is ridiculous and antiquated to require pantyhose. I just finished my first 90 days at my first career job ever. It's a big publication company where business casual is very casual. Mostly the rules consist of no spaghetti straps or halters, short shorts, or rubber flip flops. I wear brown leather flip flops on a daily basis. We don't interact with customers and I didn't have to break the bank when I got hired to create a business wardrobe.

-- "If your legs have a lot of moles, scars or veracious veins, stockings will diminish their appearance. And by all means women need to remember to shave their legs!" --

I think this is the most antiquated statement I've ever heard. Why would people you work with care about moles, veins or hairy legs? My legs remain under my cubicle for 90% of the day, first off. And Second off, you shouldn't be looking at my legs to begin with, we're working.

Posted by PLD | June 9, 2008 5:33 PM

Susan:

I don't believe in makeup either, and when white hairs start popping up, I'm not dyeing anything.

Neither do I believe that ties should be required...

And perhaps because I am not a WASP, I don't understand why women, specifically, must shave their legs...

Posted by Susan | June 9, 2008 5:50 PM

homegirl:

Wow, you ladies don't shave your legs? I'm not ready for that yet.

Posted by homegirl | June 9, 2008 6:07 PM

hrwench

Demwoman RULZ!

Posted by hrwench | June 9, 2008 6:45 PM

Susan:

Maybe I'm biased - asians don't really have that much body hair in the first place...

Posted by Susan | June 9, 2008 8:16 PM

Susan:

But can it really be that bad?

Posted by Susan | June 9, 2008 8:16 PM

PLD:

Honestly, who cares if legs are shaven? No one touches my legs but me, and frankly I think it's a habit to appease a man, which is the last thing on my list. Double for that at the work place.

Posted by PLD | June 9, 2008 8:28 PM

Lisa Takeuchi Cullen

Maybe my generation can stage a hose-burning. Nylons are way more superfluous than bras.

Posted by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen | June 9, 2008 8:55 PM

Dale Stuart:

First Disclosure, I am a male. My wife and I were discussing this and she suggested that the majority rules. More women DO NOT wear pantyhose at work then DO. Go India, China, Nepal and the Pacific Islands. Some places like Nepal 80% of the work is done my women and I can assure you having been in all the places mentioned except China that women do not wear pantyhose while working. Since India and China have the majority of the population then the no hose rule applies.

On another track, most people do not understand the word appropriate. Some think theirs is the only definition. Appropriate also includes the environment. So far the blog has talked about temperature. Humidity also plays a part. We live in a climate where the temperature is consistently 95 f but the humidity is also above 70%. Nylon clothes of any kind are painful.

Posted by Dale Stuart | June 10, 2008 4:52 AM

imokit:

Are some of you Victorian - fainting at the sight of an ankle?
Most people don't know, I wear skin coloured (pantyhose like) tights in winter, and take them off in summer. I've been asked by people if my legs are cold in winter because I'm not wearing tights (when I am) and if I'm wearing them when I'm not.
Unless your pantyhose have an obvious seem it can be hard to tell if your wearing them. Their presence or lack of presense doesn't affect the rest of the outfit. If what you're wearing is smart not wearing pantyhose won't suddenly mean your dressed casually.
If what you're wearing is very casual then wearing pantyhose won't make it smart.

As too shaving legs, thats my business no one elses and I will not be peer pressured into shaving them. Men are allowed to go hairy and I see no difference between their hair and mine!

Skim
14 - Rope for tug-of-war

PS - I don't wear any make up at all either - taking care of your appearance is one thing, pandering to the societal idea of beauty is another. No-ones going to be perfect so be happy with yourself. :)

Posted by imokit | June 10, 2008 6:17 AM

homegirl:

Lisa - You can burn my nylons, but if anyone touches my bra there will be trouble.

Posted by homegirl | June 10, 2008 9:29 AM

Prklypear:

@Lisa: I believe hose will melt, not burn - could be messy :)
I can't believe there are more than 30 comments on this post - a recent post on the joys of mentoring only got 7. We need to focus on more important stuff.

Posted by Prklypear | June 10, 2008 9:40 AM

homegirl:

This is almost as important as the SI Swimsuit Edition.

Posted by homegirl | June 10, 2008 9:49 AM

homegirl:

I'd like to see melting pantyhose.

Posted by homegirl | June 10, 2008 9:50 AM

Lisa Takeuchi Cullen

I beg to differ, Prkly...this topic is in fact of great significance: the freedom of women to decide the appropriateness of our own appearance. This is the stuff of graduate theses.

What would 100 million melting pantyhose do to the ozone layer? Are pantyhose biodegradable or the landfill equivalent of styrofoam? Can you recycle nylons?

Posted by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen | June 10, 2008 11:11 AM

EP:

I work in a very conservative environment where I personally would not feel comfortable wearing a skirt without panty hose, or open toed shoes. Some women around our office do, though. I also find that nylons make the dress shoes I wear much more comfortable and prevent blisters. I even wear knee highs when I have on pants.

15. I once used a pair of panty hose that had run to keep the door housing my AC from rattling.

Posted by EP | June 10, 2008 11:54 AM

cscamma:

I can guarantee that there are three women that will never be caught dead without panty hose on in public - me, my mother and Dolly Parton. My Grandmother raised my mother to believe that "a lady does not eat on the street". I consider myself lucky that I avoided wearing white gloves after the age of 10. However, white before Labor Day is a cardinal sin in my book. Even spectator pumps make me cringe during the winter months.

Shout it from the rooftop, ladies, I wear a Q. I'm not scared to share that with you. I am too tall to be messing around with anything else. I also order my hose in bulk and have them delivered right to my door.

I would not feel comfortable coming to work in a skirt without hose, but about once per summer I will rebel and wear a specific skirt and blue sandals without hose, (only on a Friday, and only right before a holiday weekend - shorter work hours). I feel guilty about it all day and pledge to myself that it will never happen again, but it does. Promise that you won't tell my mother you heard that. I am certain I would be disowned.

Posted by cscamma | June 10, 2008 2:01 PM

cscamma:

I meant Memorial Day in my last post! So sorry!!

Posted by cscamma | June 10, 2008 2:07 PM

Prklypear:

Now I get it...pantyhose as metaphor...if we tied all the unwanted pairs together, we could create a huge bungie cord that would stretch from coast to coast.

Posted by Prklypear | June 10, 2008 3:47 PM

Lulu Lulu:

The next question, Prklypear, is this: who/what do we launch into space with it?

Posted by Lulu Lulu | June 10, 2008 4:27 PM

MrsMoto:

I work for a newspaper, in the online division, and from the 'fish tank' that is my cubicle I've just seen the following staff go by:

1. 6'8" reporter in a lime green polo, khaki shorts, velcro river-rat sandals, and no indication his skin has ever been tanned, ever.

2. Lovely advertising rep in a denim skort and striped purple top, leather mules, no hose, and she must have a tanning bed or lamps in every room in her house.

3. Senior systems tech in cargo shorts, vintage rocker tee shirt and flip flops, again, I don't think his legs have ever seen the sunlight.

4. My department sales rep: 23 years old in khaki shorts, a polo shirt, and brown work clogs with socks (yes, socks), and he could pass for a double for Chewbacca with those legs.

5. My General Manager in a flowered, straight, knee-length skirt and matching sweater, no hose, and sandals.

I'm going to sit here in my cube, in my jeans and pink polo shirt, with my flip-flopped feet (with Monroe's red toenails, toe rings, and a nice manicure Lisa!!) under my desk and just accept that times change and sometimes you have to roll with them, even in the office.

To hose, or not to hose, that's the question, and there's no one right answer.

Posted by MrsMoto | June 11, 2008 11:09 AM

MrsMoto:

er...nice pedicure too. *sigh* Teach me to type something for the public before I've finished my coffee. Doh.

Posted by MrsMoto | June 11, 2008 11:11 AM

Prklypear:

@Lulu Lulu - ah, now that's a question we could debate for weeks. Plenty of good candidates.

Posted by Prklypear | June 11, 2008 2:37 PM

equestrianesse:

Panthose. Ick. I haven't worn them since the age of 16 when I was chastised by my 60-year old male boss and asked to "please dress appropriately" when I came to my part-time job as a secretary in his optical store. He wanted me to wear pantyhose with my knee-length skort. Thought it was crazy-weird then, and I still do today.

The idea that bare legs below the knee is "too sexy" for work is just ridiculous. Same with open-toed shoes. I agree with the posters who have stated that the practice is antiquated and sexist. If I am "turning on" any of my male fellow workers with my bare calves and toes, then I would have to say they are the ones with the issues, not me. I completely agree that there are definitely clothes that are inappropriate for the workplace, but mandating nylons would definitely not be on my list of reforms to solve the issue of sexy dress in the workplace. How about a "no cleavage rule?" That would make more sense to me.

Seriously, a calf encased in nylon is more appropriate as compared to a bare calf? I just don't get that concept. I have several skirts and dresses that I have worn to my jobs at pharmaceutical and biotech sites. They are knee-length and a-line, not tight or too sexy. If a man thinks I look sexy, then it's more a reflection of my general appearance than because I am dressed inappropriately. It probably wouldn't matter what I wore, and I think that is true for women in general. I have had many men look me up and down when I have been wearing perfectly appropriate dress pants and a button-up shirt. if we are really at the point of saying that women must wear pantyhose to be acceptable in the work place, then bring on the burkas and call it Afghanistan! It's just insane to go that far.

It's a new age, ladies. A casual dress age. Thank God for that as pantyhose are really just another needless item to consumer landfill space.

Posted by equestrianesse | June 11, 2008 8:30 PM

equestrianesse:

It's a new age, ladies. A casual dress age. Thank God for that as pantyhose are really just another needless item to consumer landfill space.

Posted by equestrianesse | June 11, 2008 8:30 PM

pugglemom:

I work for a large law firm in Arizona - they mandate panty hose and closed-toe shoes, no matter if it's 115 degrees. Seriously, you will be warned or sent home if you don't comply. Also, mandatory suits and ties for the men, with long-sleeve shirts. Basically casual dress is one partner's pet peeve so the whole firm suffers. They used to say that clients would be offended, but since clients started showing up for meetings in jeans and golf shirts, that excuse fell apart. At least now the firm admits the rule exists because they jolly well feel like it. They've also added the rules to the website so new associates know what's in store for them and don't even ask about casual day -- they will be told the firm has two casual days: Saturday and Sunday. Nice, flexible place to work, no?

Posted by pugglemom | June 12, 2008 11:45 PM

shearenergy:

hi Lisa,
I know its hard bot to wear pantyhose especially with jeans on hot days or nights...
however your losing touch with the fact if you have bare sexy legs and pantyhose are a discomfort you need a wake upcall.
if you don't care how you look yes I agree babies or not don't do it... Especially for me. I wouldn't want you to breaks sweat.
if your in tune with your self sexy legs or not pantyhose can show us men that you have what it takes. Not only tenderness compassion and sexiness but caracter. Natural skin tones on a women who knows working, lounging or playing enjoy wearing sensible pantyhose. Not too wild but for every day (work in your place), every day. Light pair of pantyhose wear 'em large If they bug you will make you enjoy yourself and others around you in a positive field. As for your work place being so hot tell your boss you need air condition and just maybe tour man might buy you a newer car for your sweaty ass. Executives know how to wear 'em with out getting a run in their pantyhose. Get to the sign of the times learn not to make runs in your pantyhose and sit yp like akasy with real dignity...
henry

Posted by shearenergy | July 29, 2008 8:23 PM

shearenergy:

last part sorry...
sit up like a lady with dignity.
henry

Posted by shearenergy | July 29, 2008 8:30 PM

jakeapathy:

Yeah, mandating hosiery in the office is pretty unreasonable. I mean, there are plenty of alternatives available that look professional. However, I really do wish that more women would give hosiery a second look. It really is sexy. I think a lot of women aren't aware of how sexy it is. If you're curious (and not at work!), do a google search on "pantyhose." There's definitely something Freudian at work here - it isn't accidental that, for our mothers' generation, hosiery was de rigeur. In any case, I totally understand if a woman doesn't want to feel sexy at work. That's totally her choice and her prerogative. But for when she *does* feel like going out and dressing up sexy, I think she should at least consider putting on a pair. It seems like, in the past year or so, tights have been making a bit of a comeback, which is nice, because tights are sexy, too. But sheer pantyhose is undoubtedly sexier. If a girl is wearing sheer pantyhose, I'm definitely more likely to give her a second look, even if she's less attractive than her friend who is wearing pants or a skirt with bare legs. This shouldn't come as any shock - you girls know that things that you wear can make you look a lot sexier. I know that women find pantyhose uncomfortable, but then again, men have to do all kinds of uncomfortable things to look good. Hello, ties! Hair gel! Working out! Spending lots of money on fast cars and clothesl! It's all a pain in the ####, but we do it to look good for you. It's not like I'm saying that girls should have to wear them every day or anything. Just sometimes. They should at least think about it. (and yes, I am a man, and I have worn pantyhose. and i found it to be .... kinda pleasant. would I wear them every day? no. would I wear them occasionally, were it socially acceptable? undoubtedly.)

Posted by jakeapathy | July 31, 2008 12:27 PM

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