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 usually like to wear the Hanes brand “Silken Mist” in Off Black, Misty Taupe, Nude, or Sun Beige. I wear them almost every day in the cooler months and do shave my legs always. I also found that panties work best and have been wearing them exclusively for aver 20 years. do so enjoy seeing a lady today wearing hose. Hose really makes the outfit and legs look much better. I do also like the Donna Karan brand for more fancy times.
Thanks Lucille for what you do.
I have to agree with others posts here, that I MUCH prefer garters and stockings to hose. It is really hard to get hose tall enough for me and I hate the feeling of the crotch being pulled too low. Also, I can snap my garter belt straps and remind myself of how sexy I am under my clothes. The only problem is that my hips aren’t as wide as the garter belts assume they should be for a GG. Nothing sexier and more comfortable to me down below than a matched garter/panty/bra or corset set. I do have some footless tights that I LOVE though as they look great (texture and color) and they don’t drag down the crotch. Good lesson on the colors. Thanks Lucile
About 8 years ago I started wearing compression panty hose (waist band w/felcro – open toe). I switched to compression stockings (thigh high w/lace band -closed toe, blue, black and light tan, all transparent) last year. They are great for in the cold and make tired legs come alive. Also prevents vericos veins from returning. I had some (protruding veins) removed from my right leg about 5 years ago. I would definitely invest in a coupe of pairs of panty hose but the compression stockings work fine. Anyways, keep the encouraging information coming, then I am still in transition. Somestimes I feel like giving up seeking feminity, however my (manda) emotions are driving me ever more to the female side. You’re advice is valuable to me during this exploration. Blondie, beautiful Lucille. I like to have your hair though it will have to be a wig.
I use to wear pantyhose and found a pair the other day just out of the package. It seems I took them out, put them in a drawer and forgot about them a few years ago. I don’t wear them because I like the long skirts and tops I find in the Soft Surroundings catalog. I like tall heels but I don’t wear them anymore. Looking right and being comfortable is all I need.
I have worn pantyhose off and on, now starting this year I have worn a pair every day, I love the way they feel on. Wearing hose under a pair of jeans feels good as I can tell each stride when walking how smooth it is on my legs. I enjoy wearing a pant liner over my pantyhose as it feels more feminine to me. I enjoy silky hose over the regular inexpensive kind. I have found some generic control tops that feel wonderful on. I plan on wearing nylons as much as I can until it gets to warm. Oh pantyhose feel better with panties rather than regular mens underwear. I have not worn mens underwear at all this year either. If any of you out there have your pantyhose and they roll down during the day, try a high waist panty, it helps the hose from rolling down.
I love to wear pantyhose all the time, just helps me feel more feminine.
Great tips Lucille. I did wear suntan and now I will try your way, makes
alot of sense. It is hard to get everything right and I want to perfect it
to the ever best possible. Thank you Lucille for being there for me
Kristine
In the UK the word “tights” also means “panty hose”. I think panty hose first became popular in the UK with the invention of the miniskirt by the fashion designer Mary Quant in the swinging sixties. I am revealing my age.
Always buy waist & tummy shapers; they maintain a very feminine shape in the right areas (including between the legs). Always buy 10 dernier or less for a really sheer and sexy feel. I much adore the sensation you get with hairless legs. I am following Lucille’s feminization plan and am in the process of having full body lazer hair removal treatment. There is hardly a hair on my legs now, permanently.
I do like tan colour because my legs are my best feature and the darker colour defines the line of the legs. I would not wear a derker colour with a light coloured skirt.
I do wear them and enjoy them much. I have RLS and they help a lot and they really feel good. I am not a hairy person so I do not have a problem with hair at all. I am an ordained baptist minister and must be very discreet in what I do. I usually wear the hip high or the knee high. I am effeminate at home only in full dress as I find this very stress relieving. My wife does not praise it but she dresses sloppy in old shorts at home and my dressing out is the only inseminate I get to experience. Knowing what is a good strong brand that will not run easily would be very very nice. I have learn that the support hose works best when I can find a reasonable priced brand. The Hanes has been good.