Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The End of Pantyhose

2012-06-13_berkshire Before attending my law school reunion, I mentioned reading Ginger Burr's blog  (Are Nude Stockings Posh or Passé?) in which she discussed the benefits of switching from pantyhose to thigh high stockings.

She convinced me and I went shopping for thigh highs to wear to the reunion, but I was unable to find any in the handful of stores I was able to visit. I wore pantyhose to the reunion, but visited my favorite online boutique (Amazon.com) to shop for thigh highs.

Size is always an issue. One man's size 12 is another man's size 16, if you know what I mean. So I usually have to experiment in order to find the right size and since I was experimenting, I did not want to expend a lot of money.

I narrowed my choices to the Berkshire brand of thigh high stockings. The price was right (less than $4 a pair), the customer reviews were good, and their sizes looked promising.

I ordered two pairs in the color nude and in size "Queen 2," which they claim fit heights of 5'6" - 6'0" and weights of 185 - 250 lbs. I am a little taller than 6'0", but at the low end of the weight range, so I figured they might fit.

The stockings arrived yesterday. When I opened the package and removed a stocking, I was disappointed because it did not look long enough. I estimated that it probably might just make it over my knees.

So, I was very surprised when I tried one on. Not only did it make it over my knee, but it made it to the top of my thigh!

So, goodbye pantyhose and hello thigh highs!

16 comments:

  1. Stockings over pantyhose any day!

    Hugs,

    Leeanne

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  2. I find this post interesting. I would prefer pantyhose any day over stockings. Pantyhose are way more comfortable, and they actually stay up all day. Stockings on the other hand never stay up, can't be worn with short skirts, and the silicon band irritates my skin after wearing them all day. If pantyhose are the proper size and you buy quality hosiery (not the cheap crap you find at walmart or such), they are extremely comfortable. If your pantyhose are uncomfortable or fit poorly, it is most likely because you either are wearing the wrong size or they are of poor quality.

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    1. I agree about the silicone band on stay-up stockings. And to each his own. But I wear stockings with garter belts. Love the tug! Keeps me fully aware that, under my male facade, I'm en femme

      Hugs,

      Leeanne

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  3. Dear Stana,

    To each her own.

    Me, I find top-control pantyhose to complement nicely the bodyshaper I wear.

    Kathy

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  4. Dear Stana,

    I prefer thigh-highs or regular stockings to pantyhose. Being a 1944 baby and starting my early crossdressing experimentation in the 1950's, I love the intimate apparel styles of the 1950's and 1960's -- stockings attached to straps from garter belt or girdle and pretty lace-trimmed, satiny panties. I don't like pantyhose because they cover up my pretty panties. When I tried pantyhose for a short period, I would wear my panties over the pantyhose, but that seemed a bit silly.

    I always love the joys of slowly putting on my intimate apparel and enjoying how lovely the bra, panties, nylons, etc. look and feel as I'm dressing. A very good GG friend of mine says she has always enjoyed dressing slowly in her lingerie, so it's not just we T-girls that really appreciate their lovely undies. Despite the fact that high-quality, properly fitting pantyhose may be more “practical” than stockings, I still love old-fashioned stockings and uncovered beautiful panties.

    Love,

    Sheila.

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  5. I always get trashed for saying this but I just love the bare skinned summer feel of my legs!
    I have discovered a dark tanning oil which is even more fun!

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  6. Graewulf --- Not mentioned in my or Ginger's post is my biggest complaint about pantyhose: dealing with them while attending to business inside a cramped stall in the ladies' room. That complaint alone moved me to try thigh highs.

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  7. Hello Stana,and ladies,
    I love pantyhose and would and have used Stockings but have the problem of the silicon band irritates my skin too. I'm planning to use the old fashion garter belt or girdle then I may use Stockings more in the future. I'm more like Sheila, when it comes to the 50's and 60's style too when it comes to girdle and pretty lace-trimmed, satiny panties but where to get the girdle is the problem due to the fact I'm 6'2" tall and on the large side of things, need help in this area.
    Lorraine

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  8. I almost always use thigh highs, except in my shortest skirts. And the Berkshire brand is definitely among the best.

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  9. Hi Stana,
    I like the berkshire brand as well, both pantyhose and stockings. Pantyhose I like better under pants, and stockings under a skirt or dress. Stockings are cooler and easier to deal with in the ladies room. But during winter there is nothing like tights under anything. What style of bra did you get, as there are many?

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  10. Stana, most hosiery seems pretty generous in whom it will fit. Most bodystockings as well. I bet a queen would fit you well, and feel so nice... Also, the gap betwen stockings and a garter can be adjusted a bit with your straps, while pantyhose are just the one piece. Separates fit better. Same as girls who may be a size 14 skirt, but an 18 top.

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  11. Dear Stana,

    Based on your recommendation, I just ordered 3 pairs of Berkshire Thigh-Highs in size Q2 (Queen 2). I am 6-1 and, like you, fall into the lower portion of the weight range for size Q2.

    Living in Tampa, FL, we have much more warm weather than most other areas. So, except for more formal or "dressy" occasions, I have recently succumbed to the present-day habits of many girls to not wear hosiery with dresses and skirts. But, if the weather is cooler or I am wearing something dressy, like a cocktail dress or Little Black Dress, then I will wear the Berkshires.

    Actually, it's fun either way -- the nylons are more feminine and look great when "dressed to the 9's", but bare legs are cooler and allow you to feel your skirt or dress caress your legs.

    Love,

    Sheila.

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  12. Stockings are great and bring a certain elegance.

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  13. I wear both pantyhose and stockings on different occasions. I will say that I love the tug of the garter strap with stockings and don't like the band on thigh-highs. But I also love the way that pantyhose holds my stomach and my tuck, keeping a smooth line. They both look great, so I just say "Wear what you like!"

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  14. AnonymousJune 14, 2012

    Mostly wear stockings held up by a garter belt. Tried thigh high stockings but would rather wear the garter belt and stockings. That combination reminds me of high school days when girls wore nylons with garter belts and the hem of their skirt or dress exposed the top of the nylons and garters LOL! I shop at Stocking Store: http://www.stockingstore.com/

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  15. Yes, stockings rule. I had a couple very good pairs of Berkshires (1 taupe and 1 black) and I loved them. Hanes vintage are excellent too but I really prefered my Berkshires. They are a real treat and look amazing. It is getting harder to find good vintage stockings anymore...luckily Secrets in Lace distributes a modern version of the vintage stocking that is of comparible quility.

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