Hosiery is a must-have accessory for every fashionista. Flaunting great hosiery is an excellent way to showcase your style while adding pizzazz to your wardrobe.
Stock up on plenty of basics in flesh color. Keep extra pairs in your tote bag, glove compartment and desk drawer so you are never caught in a bind with a pair of ruined hose.
Trim and file your toenails to avoid snags when you're slipping on delicate hosiery. If you have long nails (especially fake ones), wear cotton gloves when you put on pantyhose to avoid ripping them.
Of late, some women have been wearing skirts and dresses without pantyhose...even in the dead of winter. This "trend" is just plain dumb! It is ridiculous to go without hosiery during the winter, and women who do it look like freezing fools. If you love the look of bare legs and want to sport it year round, choose sheer hosiery in a color that matches your skin tone.
Buy plenty of dark opaque tights to match your skirts and dresses. When worn with shoes or boots in a matching color, tights make your legs look longer and give your ensemble an instant style boost. To look taller and leaner, wear the same dark color from top to toe. This works especially well with black, brown, charcoal gray, navy blue and earth tones.
In summer, never ever wear footed pantyhose with open-toed shoes. Instead, invest in a pair of footless pantyhose to achieve the exact look you want: sheathed legs and bare toes.
When wearing pantyhose, opt for off-white, cream, ecru or light beige instead of stark white. Likewise, sheer, off-black pantyhose are much more subtle and flattering than solid black. However, you can't go wrong with a pair of solid black tights paired with a mini skirt.
Wear ultra sheer hosiery for dressy and formal occasions.
Match your hosiery to the lighter shade of your shoes when wearing spectator pumps and other two-toned footwear.
Build a collection of hosiery in shades that complement your wardrobe. Invest in bold, eye-catching hose and tights that make a statement. A pair of tights in a jaw-dropping pattern can lend panache to your dresses and skirts. Whether you prefer them herringbone, fishnet, honeycomb or seamed, you need to own several pairs of tights or hose that pop.
Purchase several pairs of thigh high stockings, including at least one pair you can wear with a garter belt. Trust me; you will feel very sexy...and maybe even a little bit naughty when you wear them. If your thighs tend to rub together, apply a bit of petroleum jelly to both of your inner thighs to minimize friction.
Buy at least one body stocking. If you have to choose just one, go for sleeveless one in black or a flesh tone. Bodystockings tend to have greater resistance to runs than regular hosiery.
Keep in mind that control top pantyhose have greater strength and durability than their regular counterparts.
If you get a run and aren't able to change into a new pair of hosiery, dab a bit of clear fingernail polish on the run to keep it from getting worse.
Protect your investment by properly caring for your hosiery. Hand wash your hosiery in mild detergent, or place it in a lingerie bag and wash it on the gentle cycle in your washing machine. Let them hang dry.
