What could be more feminine than a pair of silky smooth pantyhose?
While many women opt for the bare-legged look these days, pantyhose (and tights) give a much more polished appearance.
The secret is to choose hosiery that makes you look sexy and stylish – not like you stepped out of a time warp from the 80s.
Follow these 5 transgender / crossdresser / femboy pantyhose style rules and I guarantee you can’t go wrong!
A Quick Note About Pantyhose vs. Tights vs. Stockings
Before we jump into the rules, let’s quickly discuss terms:
- Pantyhose – This is a term used in the U.S. to describe sheer hosiery with a denier (a measure of thickness in tights) of 8 to 30.
- Tights – Tights are thicker than pantyhose, with a denier of 40 to 100. (That said, most other English-speaking countries use the term “tights” for all hosiery, from sheer to thick.)
- Stockings – Stockings differ from tights in that they only extend to the upper thighs. They stay up with elastic or are secured with a garter belt.
Rule #1: Only Wear Nude Or Black Pantyhose
For the most sophisticated look, I recommend sticking to the basics and only wearing nude or black pantyhose. (Colored tights are a different story. See Rule #5.)
If you wear black hose, make sure that they’re jet black – not gray-black or brown-black.
Rule #2: Go For Sheer Nude Hose That Matches Your Skin Tone
The #1 rule for nude hose is to match your skin tone as closely as possible.
High-end hose brands (like Donna Karan and Calvin Klein) offer lots of nude shades to choose from, so you should be able to find a perfect match.
The #2 rule for nude hose is to buy the sheerest hosiery you can find. Nude pantyhose should be like the foundation you wear on your face: invisible, but enhancing.
Rule #3: Buy The Best Quality Pantyhose You Can Afford
Most trans women, crossdressers, and femboys have great legs, so it pays to show them off with nice pantyhose. There’s a big difference between drug store brands and department store brands.
My favorite high quality hosiery brands include:
- Wolford
- Spanx
- Donna Karan
- Calvin Klein
- Nordstrom
Rule #4: Coordinate Your Pantyhose With Your Shoes
If you wear black pantyhose, wear black shoes for the most streamlined look.
Nude hose gives you the most options: You can pair them with any color of shoes. For the most leg-lengthening look, try wearing nude hose with nude shoes.
Just remember: NO pantyhose with sandals or open toed shoes! (A small peep toe is fine.)
Rule #5: Try Tights
Semi-sheer and opaque tights are a great alternative to transgender / crossdresser pantyhose – especially when it’s cold out.
Tights are less formal, but they tend to look more modern and youthful than pantyhose.
The pantyhose rules DON’T apply to tights, so experiment with different colors, styles, and textures. Funky tights can totally make an outfit!
Let’s continue the conversation…
Do you love to wear pantyhose, tights, and/or stockings? If so, what are your favorite styles and brands?
Please share your comments below!
Love,
Lucille
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I used to wear nylons everyday. However, with current trends I don’t wear them as much anymore. I think they are sexy and stylish and wear them whem I want to impress that someone special. Thank you Lucille for this forum, your wonderful.
Marci
Honestly, I almost never wear pantyhose. A clean shaven, tan leg looks much better in my opinion. However, I will certainly wear leggings in the winter months and will wear a pair or black sheer hose with a formal dress, depending on what shoes I am wearing.
Diane
It’s very kind of you to say that most trans girls have great legs, maybe I’m the exception that makes the rule?
I am very away of veins and so I tend to wear black tights most of the time, usually with black shoes and sometimes sheer natural ‘knee highs’ with coloured shoes and jeans.
I shall have to try the better brands, but I must be getting better, the ‘death rate’ of my hosiery has dropped dramatically; I can go ALL DAY without a ladder LOL
Jo
I love pantyhose or thigh-hi’s. I wear compression hose nearly every day for the past 2 years under doctor’s orders, but do wear the sheerest I can find. I usually wear nude, taupe or black. Yes I wear them under shorts when I wear shorts, which is most of the time when the weather allows, although they do get very warm in the Arkansas summer heat. The only time I’ve had an issue was at Wal-Mart and a salesman was helping me in the gardening area and gave me a huge discount on a wheelbarrow to get rid of me (I think anyway because he never said anything but it was obvious that he was uncomfortable with a man being in shorts, t-shirt, pantyhose and running shoes). It has been nearly 3 1/2 years since I last dressed fully as Donna (oh how I miss makeup and heels)because my mother in-law lives with us, but on occassion, I’ll put on a pair of Hanes Ultra-sheer pantyhose (my favorite). I am from the old school (being 60 I think I qualify), but nothing completes a pretty outfit or suit like sheer hosiery. Personally, I don’t see how genetic women can stand to wear heels without hose one.
I wear hose most every day. I prefer leggs everyday sheer. and I choose the shade of hose that I intend to match with outfits. One this I was taught, and might help others on the runn issue. When you first buy your hose. hand wash them , leave them a little damp, put them in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer for 3 days, then line dry them. I can’t explain what it does to the fabric, but I do know they are very runn resistant. I agree that most GG’s in today world wear hose as little as possible, and if they do wear a pair, off they come as quick as possible. Being raised in the 50’s , by my grandmother, well hosiery was the choice of socks under dresses or skirts. I stay true to what I was taught and the way I was raised. Hope this helps all ya’ll and be true to your self.
That tip applied to the old 100% nylon hosiery but I have read that it does not work with the modern hose that contain spandex although I have never tried it with modern hose. Let us know if it still works Lucille. And btw I never buy ponytail holders anymore because I cut pieces of old hose and then give them a quick stretch so they form a more solid band. I wear the darker ones in my hair on discreet days and when I fell really sissy, I wear the beige-y ones that are a bit more obviously made of stockings.
Wow, great tip about treating hose so they don’t run! I’ll have to try that.
I ONLY USE SILKIES I THINK THEY ARE TOP OF THE LINE LOTS OF STYLES AND I WEAR THEM 365 ALL YEAR LONG.
I LOVE wearing hose and do all the time. I admit I do wear tan but they do match my skin tone. I wear L’eggs but LOVE Wohlford
Fatale seamless hosiery. And NO ONE has said WHY women don’t wear hosiery anymore. I have seen many many women whose legs would look MUCH nicer in hosiery. I always thought hosiery made a woman look much classier.
I think women wear less hosiery now because more value has been placed on comfort vs. style. I do NOT agree this trend!
Strictly seamed stockings here , it’s a 50’s thing with me