Like many readers of this site, I love wearing pantyhose. I love them so much that I am writing a book about the garment, which is under contract with Bloomsbury—ironically, the publisher of transphobe J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
I have written about my relationship with gender and women’s clothing before. Man-Made Woman, published in 2017, is my most autobiographical work. The Future Is Feminine (2021) examines the damaging effects of masculinization, while The Spectral Woman (2025) calls for the abolition of gender. Although pantyhose and other feminine objects appear in those books, this is the first time I have devoted an entire volume to the subject.
Unlike my previous titles, this will be a short book written for a general readership. If you are not academically inclined, I would not recommend starting with any of my earlier books!
There are, of course, books aimed at pantyhose fetishists. To be frank, some are rather seedy, offering improbable tales of boys or men being forced by a mother, girlfriend, boss or other woman to wear pantyhose. My book takes a different approach. Although written with humor and a light touch, it seriously examines pantyhose as a cultural phenomenon: the strange and often intense reactions the garment inspires in both men and women and, of course, its sensuous appeal.
To challenge the taboo surrounding the pleasure of wearing pantyhose, I make my love for them clear. Because the book is being written by an established transgender scholar, it is likely to attract some interest.
So why am I telling you all this? Because I have a request.
I would love to hear about your experiences with pantyhose in the comments below. Why do you like them? When did your interest begin? Do you have any memorable anecdotes—perhaps dating back to childhood? What part do pantyhose play in your crossdressing? Are they a fetish for you? I make no judgments.
Anything I include in the book will be anonymized.
I hope to publish the book by the end of next year.
Many thanks,
Ciara
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| Source: Rue La La |
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| Tommy Trinder femulating in the 1944 British film Fiddlers Three. |
When I was six years old my (UK) school would have a pageant where the mum's would watch the girls dance around the maypole. The girls were led out by 4 boys on hobby horses and so one day I was taken out of class and given some brightly coloured girls opaque tights to try on for size. These would be matched with a short tunic top. Obviously I told my mum that I couldn't be seen in public wearing such clothes but in reality I had tried on the most amazing piece of clothing ever and sixty years later I still feel the same and would wear tights most days if I could.
ReplyDeleteOne of the joys I have discovered in recent years is ballet based exercises. I had been looking for an age appropriate form of exercise when I discovered this during COVID lockdown. This helps me with core strength, flexibility and balance and of course I can do it wearing my lovely ballet practice tights along with leotards (or sports bra), and floaty skirts.
Nina
Hi Nina, such a lovely story you shared of your school pagaent:) I had a similar-ish experience: when I was 9 or so, my school had a holiday show and some of the boys were chosen to be elves - and wear the red or green tights of the costume. I remember being so envious of those tights that I wanted to ask my teacher if I could switch with one of them. I don't know what started my fascination with hosiery at such a young age, but I'm sure glad I eventually decided to try them on and enjoy a lifetime of silky comfort.
DeleteAnd I thought Mickey Rooney looked good as Carmen Miranda!
ReplyDeleteJ.k. Rowling is not a transphobe.
ReplyDeleteI have no fetish related interest to panty hose or otherwise to the fact they simply feel 'belonged' with my overall dressing en femme. I suspect my perspective is derived from my 'pre panty hose ' era. Now, if we shift into the garter and stockings arena - do ask for my review on the subject. warmly, R
ReplyDeleteI commonly wear pantyhose with shorts in male mode. It is the one form of crossdressing my wife still tolerates. Pantyhose was the hook for me becoming a crossdresser.
ReplyDeleteI should also mention that I was something of a connisuer of pantyhose; sampling as many different brands as possible, though I have settled into a single brand at this point. I often thought if I were a drag queen I would call myself Connie Sewer.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna (or should I say Connie?), years ago I did the same hosiery sampling, keeping notes on all the pairs I tried until I found "the one" that met my strict feel, comfort, shine, durability, availability, and cost criteria. I eventually settled on L'eggs Sheer Energy. I'm curious what your, and anyone else's, go to hose are.
DeleteSheer Energy for years. Due to limited availability I switched to Silkies Ultra control top.
DeleteOhmygosh, a book about pantyhose sounds absolutely fabulous! I've had an obsession with hosiery since I first timidly tried them on decades ago. As a teen, I would "borrow" a pair from my mom and wear them in my locked bedroom for as long as I could until my excitement climaxed. In my bachelor pad years, they became an item of comfort and joy, and I would wear them almost daily, often from morning to night, either under my drab men's clothes when out or with my small feminine wardrobe at home. I eventually amassed a collection of a few dozen unique patterns and colors, and I created lookbooks of all the outfits I would wear with all those hose if money was no object. Unfortunately the drawer full of hose and the lookbooks were lost in a purge when I moved on to married life. But a few favorite pieces still remain and joyfully get worn;)
ReplyDeleteMy history was very similar, though due to sharing a bedroom with 3 brothers I limited my wearing to times I was home alone.
DeletePantyhose, pt 2: my obsession with hosiery also led me to amassing a collection of hosiery ads. I was always particularly fond of the vintage 70s and 80s ads that typically showed women living everyday life and doing everyday activities in their hose. If only! I was so enamored with these ads that at some point I began thinking that my dream job would be a hosiery model!! Oh, to be paid to have long silky legs and to inspire other women to want to wear more hosiery. Sigh... At one point I even created my own hosiery brand, with slogans and ads using photos of myself. (Ok, I'll admit that as I'm writing this I know I sound just a tad crazy haha). As my favorite brand says "Nothing beats a great pair of L'eggs!" and I guess I may have taken that admiration to the extreme.
ReplyDeleteI've read that many hosiery models are in fact male. Well, maybe not many, but some.
DeleteJoyce DeWitt comes to mind
Hi Ciara, I was a young guy the first time I saw pantyhose and it was love at first sight. I always thought that hose & garters had to be very uncomfortable. I was also envious of the girls at university, not just the hosiery but the skirts, blouses and dresses... but in South America we all believed that only gay sex workers cross-dressed, thus I never tried them... I came to Canada 40+ years ago and a few years later I began cross-dressing. Because summers are too hot, 38C early last week, and winters too cold, -25C some days in January and February, hosiery season is not very long. At work I had to serve several bank branches, and pantyhose were ideal in winter, where thermal underwear would have been too warm inside any building, this besides the pleasure of wearing them right after shaving my legs. I am now retired, but still use them in winter under my male clothing. I also feel pantyhose is essential whenever I wear a tailored skirt or any skirt/dress that would be appropriate as business attire, always either sheer or dark. coloured. And it has never been just the warmth or the comfort, but the enormous well being I feel... I am just being me, and that makes me very happy. And yes, my wife is very aware of all this.
ReplyDeleteAnna MarÃa
I wear some form of tights or hose at least 95% of the time dressed. Sometimes under jeans but they are still part of my outfit. Your article made me think why and I came up with four reasons. First, they help keep my hip pads up. It’s a practical reason but an important one. Second, jeans and slacks ride better over hose. Thirdly, a well-dressed leg completes and enhances the outfit. My legs are a bit old and hose tend to camouflage skin and leg flaws and also help with shape and definition. Finally, pantyhose, skirts and heels are the pieces of exterior clothing strictly feminine. Putting them together, at least for me, feels right and completes my appearance.
ReplyDeleteI remember my mother having a bag full of hose when I was a kid. It was the first thing I ever remember trying on. They felt wonderful and I continued wearing them off and on. Once I moved out, I bought my own through the Sears catalog and now, later in life, I am transgender and live full time as female. I cannot imagine not wearing hose when I am wearing my dresses and skirts. My mother always wore hose to work and so I continue the tradition.
ReplyDeleteYour post made me think about hosiery. I wear hose most of the time I am dressed and I came up with a few reasons why I wear the sometimes uncomfortable and fragile item. Firstly, tights and hose help keep my padding in place. A practical yet important reason. Secondly they smooth out and make jeans and slacks fit and look better. Thirdly, I have old legs and hosiery camouflages the flaws and highlights shape while providing support. Finally, the combination a heels, hose and a nice skirt is totally feminine, dressy and classy. It’s a look most of us work toward. As society has dressed down and become more casual that classy look has suffered. I await your book!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first developed the attraction of femme clothing to wear, my only source was my other. I did check to see when pantyhose was developed and I would have just finished my preteen years (1959). My mother wore stockings and a garter belt/girdle, never pantyhose. As I got older and wanted to exit the confines of my home I felt it necessary to buy pantyhose to make sure I did not have any frontal bulges, yet still having the pleasurable sensation of hosiery. I did try underdressing at work with pantyhose but it was too much effort when needing to urinate.
ReplyDeleteFrom the moment I read this article yesterday I've been trying to think of a way to describe exactly what it is I like about the look and feel of pantyhose. One word always comes to mind: irresistible. When I dip my toes into the nylon pocket between my thumbs and slide the sensuous fabric up my legs, I am filled with a growing sense of comfort. I adjust the waistband just so and check my look in the mirror, admiring the silky sparkle in the bedroom lights, and a sigh escapes my lips. "Irresistible."
ReplyDeleteCiara - good luck with your book! I am so looking forward to reading it:)
Good day Ciara. For me pantyhose was never about a fetish or anything other than something to complete my look. Pantyhose was the first type of leg wear I wore. Eventually graduating to thigh highs and garters and stockings. The first pantyhose I ever wore and still do to this day is the JC Penny Sheer Caress in control top. I was in the mall and was in JCP and back in those days they had swatch of pantyhose so you could see the various colors and feel the fabric. I bought my first pair, and it was like heaven. The sizing and fit was perfect! Whenever they would go on sale I would scoop up as many as I could get my hands on. Much to my displeasure JCP discontinued the product line and now I have been forced to searching the internet looking for them. For me I only wear pantyhose with dresses. When wearing skirts I tend to wear thigh highs. I do on occasion wear pantyhose with my skirts but not often. Don't ask me why, I have no clue, just the way I operate. For me I enjoy wearing pantyhose. I love the fit and feel and the way the fabric feels on my legs and the way they make my legs look. My girlfriend hates, and I mean hates pantyhose. She really does not understand why I like such a difficult garment to wear, but I just do.
ReplyDeleteI hope this helps you out in your quest for pantyhose knowledge.
Sarah
I'll never understand why your gf, and so many other women, hate pantyhose. Are they just not wearing the right brands/styles/sizes? I usually put mine on in the morning and don't take them off until late in the evening because I simply find them that comfortable. I've often considered having the talk with hose-hating women, telling (or even showing) them that these are no longer your mother's pantyhose and they should give them another chance.
DeleteHosiery plays an important part in my cross dressing escapades. Is it because its a fetish and I adore womens legs, feet and hosiery? Of course i do and add high heels and you have a powerful compulsion to wearing it yourself. My mother said once "you have beautiful legs like mine when i was your age" and maybe that stuck somewhere on my feminine side of the brain. The 80s brought a lot of pantyhose and the L'Eggs was probably the most well known as well as other alluring brands. You could buy them anywhere and just toss them in with the groceries with no questions asked. Now if you wanted stockings...that was a risk because that was in the womans section of large department stores. Now that we have tummy tuckers included in the product , one can feel all tucked in the right places and a sensual soft feel to a leg that is just a wonderful feeling to wear and to touch. Hugs Brenda
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda - Back in the day, I occasionally tossed a pair of L'Eggs or NoNonsense in the basket along with all my groceries and would check out, no questions asked - just like you said. Except once. A snarky young man clerk held up the package of hose and asked "did you get the right color?" "I sure hope that's what she wants," I replied, using the standard excuse, but I had actually been trying to decide if I wanted the nude or suntan shade, so his question was actually accurate. Not that I would tell him that!
DeleteI have to add to my above comment. Until I moved to this small city (1976) I never had been to a mall. Coming from NYC there were large department stores in mid-town Manhattan and small women's shop in the neighborhood shopping districts. But, at the mall's main intersection of stores, where Starbucks now sits, there was a stand along hosiery store. That was all there was for sale.....just hosiery. Those were the days when women still wore dresses or skirts. That store brought back memories of when I was too young to go to school, so my mother dragged me along when she went shopping. I remember one trip to the hosiery counter when the saleswoman laid out a pair of stockings from its own box on the counter. Poly-packaging had not been invented yet. There was grab-and-go hosiery packages at the neighborhood grocery store.
ReplyDeleteHi Ciara, it's always good to see your posts, and you always look fantastic. My first experience of pantyhose (or tights as well call them in the UK) was when I was about seven years old. This was in the mid seventies, long before the Internet, but I just felt that trying them was something I needed to do, and when I did it just felt right to be wearing them. I was soon wearing them whenever I had the opportunity, and it naturally followed that I soon discovered the joys of skirts, dresses, and heels. I'm now in my mid fifties, and love spending time en femme, though my opportunities are limited. I still love wearing my tights, and outfits don't feel complete without them. I hope this might be of some help to you
ReplyDeleteCarolyn x
I wrote an article for Femulate about pantyhose a while back
ReplyDeletehttp://www.femulate.org/2019/10/pantyhose-ups-and-downs.html
Paula G
Thanks everyone for your comments on this. Much appreciated! Ciara
ReplyDeleteDearest Ciara,
ReplyDeleteI'm sissychantal from Milan, Italy. First of all, congratulations on your work (I'm now reading your first book with great interest, thanks to an AI translation). Then I have to say, you're truly beautiful and feminine, and you do justice to our new women's category.
What about stockings and tights? When I realized I was a woman, I was about 14 years old, and I started to want to wear feminine things. Pantyhose didn't exist yet. So it all started with my mother's nylon stockings and buttoned garters. She was really very beautiful, with beautiful legs, sometimes a little too severe and haughty. Could she be an undercover Mistress? Did she ever discover me? There are some suspicions. However, I think I inherited from her the well-turned legs that I now keep almost constantly wrapped in nylon. Then in high school I envied my young classmates who proudly showed off their first sheer pantyhose. How beautiful they rustled when they mischievously crossed their legs showing them to their male classmates completely submissive to this display of femininity..! Why couldn't I wear them too? So I chose pantyhose; some say they are less sexy and elegant than stockings, but for a new woman like me they are fantastic. In fact They also wrap around the pelvis and contain everything well, even what shouldn't be on a woman. Under the tights I don't give up panties, thongs and thongs depending on how I feel, whether I'm a lady or a whore... And under the panties a V-String or prosthetic vulva, that kind of latex or silicone shell that ties at the waist. It works as a cage and on the front it reproduces the female intimate anatomy. Really very suggestive. As an Italian, I prefer Italian brands in 13-15 or 20 den sheer, no more, but not less because I need to 'feel' the stocking. The Girardi Brigitte 15 den in Tahiti color fit me like a glove and are suitable for every occasion and season of the year. Really highly recommended, without advertising, but a piece of advice between girls, since I read that you too, among the others, have chosen an Italian brand.
Finally, I'd like to point out a small book published in the 1980s in the "Piccoli Piaceri" series by IdeaLibri, entitled "Ma le Calze" (But the Stockings). It's out of print and rare, so I might be able to send you a scanned copy.
A big, sincere hug from your
sissychantal
sissychantal@blu.it