Saturday, December 19, 2009

Away for a bit...

In case anyone was worried because of the low number of posts for the month of December, "No" I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. As I've mentioned earlier, we are working on making some improvements to the look and message of the ActivSkin website, and that has been taking up much of my focus--leaving little time for writing informative and entertaining Nylon Gene blog posts. After the first of the year, I hope to return to the former level of activity on the web. In the mean time, I will not be here to moderate comments until Dec. 24th, as I am traveling with my two oldest teenagers on a youth mission trip as a chaperone, and will be out in the cold in Kentucky working on some helpful projects for people in need. Don't worry... I'll keep my legs warm with some ActivSkin A866 tights under my jeans. So anyways, don't be concerned if your comments don't show up right away. I'll post them as soon as I return.

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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Mantyhose in the Orient

China Global Times reports on men's pantyhose trendChina's national newspaper, The Global Times, published an article today on the men's pantyhose trend. Entitled "Sheer Ridiculousness", the headline betrays a certain lack of objectivity, wouldn't you say? The article is not a hatchet job, but it does include statements such as, "Mantyhose is a trend for which we can, predictably, blame Europe. (emphasis mine)...

The article opens with one of Chan Kraemer's latest images from e-MANcipate, which shows a man wearing a pair of the new Emilio Cavallini unisex tights (the ones with skulls on them... not too sure I like this design, but anyways...), and notes that there are as yet only a small number of men wearing pantyhose or tights in China. Yet, the numbers appear to be growing, especially in the larger urban areas like Beijing, Shanghai and Zinjiang. This mirrors observations we've made from ACTIVSKIN web traffic data.

I recently reviewed our data and found that, after the U.S. and Canada, China is responsible for the largest share of web traffic to the activskin.com website. While only averaging about 550 visits per month, this is still significant since most Chinese would be limited by the fact that the website is in English. Overall, Asia is responsible for 13.2% of ACTIVSKIN's web traffic (and 8.7% of traffic here at The Nylon Gene).

The article makes brief reference to Comfilon (aka ACTIVSKIN) as a result of information I provided for the article. In addition to the three cities named above, we have also seen considerable amounts of interest from Guangzhou and Dongguan, and more than 200 other cities across the country. Chinese interest in ACTIVSKIN has risen steadily since June, and we observed a sharp spike in web traffic following several postings on the online answers site, http://zhidao.baidu.com/.

The article also talks about Doyeah, a Chinese hosiery producer that's new to the male pantyhose scene. Their men's hosiery has been selling steadily, as well as those sold by an online Shanghai distributor, Comfimay. There is even a 'brick and mortar' retailer selling men's hosiery in China. Beijing's Chun Shui Tang retail chain store sells a "couple hundred pairs" of black- or beige-colored mantyhose per month.

That certainly sounds like the beginnings of a real trend. Most new things start this way. First, those near the fringe try out the things everyone else is afraid to do. Soon after, other early adopters begin to show up on the street with those same items, and before long they start to enter the 'realm of the cool'. From there, trends that succeed follow a somewhat predictable path to eventually attain commercial viability. The Chinese market looms large if Oriental men continue to brave the potential disapproval of their peers to try men's legwear for themselves.

The article quotes Beijing designer and fashion consultant Wu Jintao as saying that "mantyhose will soon have its time to shine" as interest from the in-crowd continues to grow.

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Thursday, December 10, 2009

A Positive View on Pantyhose... from a woman.

Sorry things have been so quiet here at The Nylon Gene for awhile. Steve Katz and I have been busy working up some ideas for refining the ActivSkin website, so I've not been as 'engaged' here on the net these past couple weeks. That being said, here's a link to an article from last week from a woman writer from the University of Cincinnati. It's entitled, "Pantyhose Benefit, Confine Fashionistas" Give it a read. It shows that there are women out there who haven't yet been indoctrinated to overlook the benefits that can be found in quality legwear.

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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Follow-up on Selfridge's Mantihose line | Metro.co.uk

A quote from an article entitled Male Grooming: Setting the Muscle Tone for the Future in the Lifestyle Section of Metro UK:

"Oh yes, and let's not forget mantyhose - otherwise known as tights for boys. Selfridges sold a whopping 50 per cent of its stock in two weeks."
Sounds like, for all the valient attempts at mockery by the UK press, these things still sold like hotcakes. Nothing more to say...

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Friday, November 20, 2009

Informative Article on Support Hosiery

Compression Support HosieryThe following article appeared on the Jobst website: The Benefits of Compression Socks - Dealing With Varicose Veins. Jobst is a maker of medical compression hosiery, targeted toward those with more severe leg circulation problems. Although they provide products for those with beginning stages of leg problems, anything more than support socks for men seems to be treated as an afterthough--which I will discuss later.

The article provides useful information on leg circulation problems and how support hosiery can help alleviate them. It's worth reading as long as you include a few caveats while doing so...

First, the articles are primarily directed at those suffering from more advanced leg conditions, which tend to require more specialized (and more expensive) products like those in which they specialize. The effect of non-medical grade support hosiery is given only only passing notice. This is understandable since there is less experimentally-quantifiable information available regarding the contribution of non-medical grade support hosiery on leg circulation. That's not to say there is none, however.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, "The single most important thing a person can do to slow down the development of new varicose veins is to wear graduated compression support stockings as much as possible during the day." They also list "wearing elastic support stockings" as a means of reducing the chances of getting new varicose and spider veins. In addition, a 2001 study cited by the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery concluded that, "Use of lightweight (low compression), ready-to-wear gradient compression hosiery is very effective in improving symptoms of discomfort, swelling, fatigue, aching, as well as leg tightness."

As I have written elsewhere on this blog, the article acknowledges that a significant portion of the population will eventually suffer from some sort of leg circulation problem, including venous insufficiency and related issues. And, of course, it's important to consult your physician when these problems become worse and varicose veins begin to appear, to make sure medical intervention is not necessary.

The article is also limited in that it focuses entirely on compression socks, although I've seen similar ones that include discussion of support hosiery as well. The trouble with focusing only on compression socks is that oftentimes the problems extend above the knee. In those cases, thigh-high or waist-high hosiery is obviously more appropriate. This is where the advice given in this article and others like it becomes confusing and a bit awkward.

The awkwardness comes from the fact that there are multiple varieties of waist-high support legwear styles (e.g., tights and sheer pantyhose) offered for women suffering from poor leg circulation. But when it comes to men, very few of the companies offer anything above the knee. Those that do have very limited options and one has to read between the lines to discern which are intended for males.

One could infer from the product offerings that there is a physiological difference between men and women that precludes any sort of venous insufficiency from occuring further up than the calf. Of course, there is no reason to believe anything of the sort. In fact, studies indicate that men are nearly as likely as women to suffer from some sort of leg circulation problem by the time they reach age 50 (see above: Health & Human Services). Yet none make any distinction about men's problems being confined to below the knee.

Why, then, would there not be equal numbers of men's products available to address those with leg circulation problems higher up? The answer seems clear. Prior cultural inhibitions against men wearing tights (sheer or otherwise) have prevented them from availing themselves of a viable solution to the aching and cramping of which so many complain. I personally discovered this when I was first directed by my doctor to try wearing support socks. I found that the elastic band at the top binds at the knee, and they did nothing to relieve achiness higher up. My doctor subsequently responded by suggesting I try wearing L'eggs Sheer Energy pantyhose.

This was because there were no male products offered by Futuro, Jobst, Ames-Walker, or other providers of medical compression hosiery--unless one is suffering from more serious leg problems. Products directed towards those conditions are very expensive, ranging from $50 a pair and up--and also quite uncomfortable to wear. You have to be in a lot of pain and discomfort to make the trade-off to wear these. Fortunately, I discovered ACTIVSKIN around that time, and was able to buy comfortable, inexpensive legwear that alleviated the chronic leg aches and heaviness I was feeling.

Futuro Men's Product Line: socksFuturo Waist High Pantyhose - for WomenAlthough ACTIVSKIN does't claim to provide any sort of standardized compression in its legwear, for comparison sake I've tried on the Ultra Sheer by Futuro in 8-15 mmHg. To me, it feels very similar in compression to ACTIVSKIN's Style A2019 or A677. The UltraSheer cost around $20, placing them at the very low end of the medical compression hosiery price scale.

As for men's products from other companies, little has changed in the ten years since I first started wearing support hosiery. If you look at a Jobst Product Guide, you'll see that 8-15 mmHG compression (mild) is recommended for tired, aching legs; or minor ankle, leg and foot swelling. For women, the guide recommends UltraSheer pantyhose and forJobst 20-30 mmHg Seamless Soft Support Hosiery men: the Men's Dress product (socks).

Moderate compression (15-20 mmHG) is recommended for minor varicosities; tired, aching legs; and minor ankle, leg and foot swelling. For women, the guide recommends the same products, plus their Opaque compression socks. For men, it recommends a heavier support sock. There is an added category of Unisex, which includes two kinds of socks (ActiveWear and Relief) and one type of waist-high legwear, called Custom Seamless Soft. However, the product page for Custom Seamless Soft doesn't give any indication that is intended for men as well as women. One has to look very closely to discover that Jobst has any thigh- or waist-high products intended for men.

Ames-Walker Men's Waist LeotardAmes-Walker, another leading seller of medical compression hosiery has little different to offer men with upper leg circulation problems or a dislike of elastic bands in support socks. Although they offer 17 varieties of support socks, there is only one waist-high product available for men, the Men's Waist Leotard that retails for about $90.

Solidea comes the closest to providing leg support products specifically tailored for men, with their 'Panty Plus'. It's a full-length, body-hugging compression pant with a built-in fly opening. At $110 each, men will be hard pressed to buy more than one, however. Otherwise, their offerings are either calf-socks or shaper briefs.

Solidea's PantyPlus for MenThe bottom line is that Futuro, Jobst, Ames-Walker, Sigvaris, et al, are an excellent choice if you suffer from serious leg circulation issues and your doctor recommends compression therapy with a higher level of compression, say 20 mmHg or more. Although they don't cater to men who need above-the-knee products they do have something that can help if you look closely.

ActivSkin provides a masculine alternative for men's leg supportHowever, if your problem doesn't rise to the level of medical treatment, and you want to proactively help 'energize' tired, achy legs by improving circulation, ACTIVSKIN may be the ideal solution for you. I know it's helped me keep my legs in good shape after the beginnings of spider veins began to creep in. They've not progressed in the 10 years since I've been wearing support hose. At the time I first started wearing them, I never dreamed I'd end up working for the company that sold them. If I weren't such a believer in what we do, I wouldn't be here now.

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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

ActivSkin TV/Radio Interviews: Links Posted

I've finally identified a convenient location to upload audio files so that I can make available the various radio interviews that have taken place over the past few months. Previously, I've made some of them into video slideshows that were then uploaded to YouTube (audio-only files cannot be uploaded to YouTube), but that's not always the best solution. PodBean.com allows users to upload audio files so they can be accessed by others via the internet. So, if any Nylon Gene readers would like to listen to these radio interviews, here they are... You can follow the link to my PodBean profile and download these files from there. I've also included below the embedded links to the TV appearances I've made on behalf of ACTIVSKIN, as well:








Nov. 10, 2009 - LA Talk Radio/Broad Topics: Steve Newman of ActivSkin is interviewed about 'mantyhose' by a panel of four ladies from very different backgrounds. (Total Length = 22:29, On-air Interview approx. 17:00)
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Oct. 27, 2009 - The Mancow Show: Steve Newman was to be interviewed by Eric Muller about 'mantyhose'. When the interviewer was not successful in ridiculing the interviewee, the interview was pulled before airing, despite all of the 'teaser' promos featured in this audio file. (Length = 3:48)
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Sept. 30, 2009 - KUDO 1080-AM Talk Radio, Anchorage Alaska: Steve Newman is interviewed by Kathy Philips about 'mantyhose' and it's applications, as well as how he went from civil engineering to men's pantyhose marketing. (Length - 11:55)
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Sept. 25, 2009 - BBC Radio Wales: Steve Newman of ActivSkin is interviewed by Jamie & Louise about the men's tights trend that seems to be sweeping Britain of late. (Length - 6:34)
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Sept. 25, 2009 - BBC Radio Kent: Steve Newman of ActivSkin is interviewed by Andrew Garland about men's tights in the UK. (Length - 5:36)
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Aug. 28, 2009 - BFBS Radio (British Forces Broadcasting System): Lynne Duffus interviews Steve Newman about 'mantyhose' growing in popularity in Britain. (Length - 9:33)
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Feb.22, 2002 - NPR Radio/All Things Considered: Steve Katz, founder of ComfiLon Men's Pantyhose is interviewed by John Ydstie about the new men's pantyhose product. (Length - 2:57)
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History of Men In Pantyhose

Once all the rage, men's tights are once again becoming in fashionHere's a link to an article posted the other day on HubPages, about the history of men's legwear (e.g., pantyhose, tights, etc.). It covers the time periods in the past when tights were worn by men only, as well as the modern time period where the situation reversed itself and women became primarily associated with tights and hosiery. The article goes on to describe the current situation, where men have been taking up the fashion of wearing tights and pantyhose yet again.

Several blogs that focus on the men's legwear trend were mentioned, although a notable exception was our very own Nylon Gene, which seeks to be the most visible and up-to-date source of information on men's legwear to the rest of the world.

I just discovered that the author of the HubPages article has also launched a new blog on Blogger. It's called, "Legwear is Unisex Fasion" The author has only yet published one posting, which is the same one posted on HubPages. I'm glad to see other men taking bold steps forward to help advance the growing men's legwear trend. The more that regular guys allow their name to be associated with men's tights, the quicker it will become a 'non-issue' with others who don't wear them.

It's notable that more people are seeing fit to write on this topic all the time. Guys who were once reluctant to be associated with wearing hosiery for fear of being mis-labeled a cross-dresser are now coming forward and writing articles. That's a good sign in my book. The article's interesting reading, so I would recommend taking a look...

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Friday, November 13, 2009

Men's Legwear: Library of Articles

I've written a number of articles, in press release form, over the past nine months or so, with the intent of having them published to a wider audience. However, I thought Nylon Gene readers may appreciate having access to them here on the blog. The links will take you to my Google Docs storage location, where you can read or download these documents. I would encourage you all to share them with acquaintances, colleagues or family members who might benefit from the many and varied practical benefits of legwear...

Click on links below to be taken to a downloadable PDF document. [NOTE: The list is not yet complete. Check back frequently, as I will post the remainder of the documents soon]

Men's Hosiery: A Little Background

Leg Circulation Problems Know No Gender Boundaries

For Runners, Mantyhose Fends Off Chill, Energizes Legs

For Cyclists, Mantyhose Fends Off Chill, Energizes Legs - July 20, 2009

Hunters Turn to Mantyhose for Relief From the Elements

Mantyhose: Golfers' Latest Weapon Against Weather, Fatigue

Ladies, Does Your Guy Wear Pantyhose? Maybe He Should.

Civil Engineer to Mantyhose Marketer: A Very Unusual Career Transition

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Tuesday, November 10, 2009

'Mantyhose' Interview on Broad Topics/LA Talk Radio

LA Talk Radio/Broad TopicsJust finished the latest interview, this time with the ladies of "Broad Topics" on LA Talk Radio and it went very well. My sincere thanks go out to Laura, Joan, Kelly and Jillian for making it such an enjoyable experience. We had fun as we chatted for about 17 minutes on air about a wide range of topics related to legwear ... [NOTE: Audio/slideshow link now available--see below]

We started out with me describing how I made the transition from civil engineer to marketing men's pantyhose, and they thought it was pretty cool how I took that risk to follow something so different from what I'd done up to that point. From there, we moved on to a discussion on how support hosiery helps promote good leg circulation and ease discomfort that so many men complain of as they enter their late thirties and beyond.

After that, the discussion ranged from what sort of reception I received from people I encounter while doing my job promoting 'mantyhose', to what's different about men's pantyhose, or how my wife felt about my new career path. Their follow-up discussion was very positive, too.

Broad Topics Hosts: Laura, Joan, Jillian & Kelly (CW from upper left)Basically, we had a lot of fun with the interview. If you didn't have a chance to listen live, follow one of the links above to the show and download the audio. The beginning has a good intro, and the rest of the interview begins at 30:00. I'll be making my own recording of the audio available in some format as soon as I can. A podcast will be posted on the Broad Topics website at the following location (http://broadtopics.podomatic.com/), keep checking back as it wasn't there the last time I looked.

AUDIO/VID LINK: You can listen to the complete audio here (Length = 22:29):


The audio was previously made into a video slide show on YouTube also. To listen/watch the slideshow, either go to YouTube or you can see each of the three parts by clicking the embedded links below (YouTube limits uploaded videos to a maximum of 10 minutes in length, so the interview had to be divided into three segments.):

PART 1 OF 3:



PART 2 OF 3:



PART 3 OF 3:


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Monday, November 9, 2009

New European Retailer for Men's Tights

It seems the men's legwear trend continues its spread overseas, not confined to North America by any means. PH Balanced--a husband and wife blogging team that, like The Nylon Gene, focuses on legwear--reports that a company called EuroTights (http://eurotights.eu/) is the latest addition to the growing men's legwear market. Based in Latvia, EuroTights is selling both men's and women's legwear made by ELA, a Czech hosiery manufacturer.

The retailer still seems to be in start-up mode, with all ordering being placed through eBay for the time being. However, the fact that there are a growing number of companys willing to stake a capital risk to launch a company selling pantyhose and tights to men is a testament to the viability of the product concept as a whole. The long-term viability of company's like ACTIVSKIN and others who followed them has emboldened those who may once have scoffed at the idea of men wearing tights, much less making a profit off them.

ELA's recent launch of a range of men's tights was reported on last month by another legwear blogger, SheerGeek. ELA Trebic has been in business since 1990, making women's hosiery in the Czech Republic. Only recently have they made their entry into the men's market, with the introduction of three styles of tights carrying the names, David, Patrik and Adam.

These tights come in 20, 40 and 64 denier, respectively. Each is sold in two colors, beige and black. They are constructed with a 'gusset' in the front similar to ACTIVSKIN's male comfort panel, designed to provide extra room to accommodate male anatomical differences.

While early reports from London distributers give the ELA/EuroTights products good marks, they probably won't be showing up on the legs of North American males in large numbers. While the products themselves are priced competitively enough, overseas shipping and EU export costs add considerably to the overall cost of purchasing them.

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Sunday, November 8, 2009

Ladies, Does Your Guy Wear Pantyhose?... Maybe He Should

ACTIVSKIN Men's LegwearI've published a new article on The Examiner as titled above. It deals with the issues wives and girlfriends may have when they first discover that their husband or boyfriend has begun wearing sheer or opaque legwear for one of the various reasons for which men have been taking up the trend of late. The full article can be found on my Columbus Men's Legwear Examiner page, or by clicking here. Please feel free to ReTweet this or share it on your Facebook pages, etc. as much as you like.

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Friday, November 6, 2009

LA Talk Radio: The Latest Interview Scheduled...

LA Talk Radio/Broad Topics

Here's the latest interview news. I'm scheduled to be interviewed on-air on LA Talk Radio on Tuesday, Nov. 10th at 7:30 pm PST (10:30 pm Eastern Time). I've made arrangements with Laura Nickerson, who is one part of the 'Broad Topics' Show that airs from 7-9pm on Tuesdays. The show can be heard online and usually attracts about 4,000 listeners per show. Billed as, "Talk Radio for Smart, Funny Women" it's hosted by: The Feminist Mom, the Young Christian, the Southern Lesbian, and the Republican Catholic (as noted on the website, http://broadtopics.weebly.com/).

Be sure to mark your calendars and listen in by going to http://www.latalkradio.com/, or you can also download it later. They've already done a segment on 'mantyhose' this week, before I got in contact with them, so this will be some sort of follow up. Sounds like it should be fun.

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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Election Day...

Steve Newman of ActivSkin in black legwear, at the Polls on Nov. 3rdOnce again, your fearless blogger helped keep America safe for democracy by working the polls. The fact is, once the County Board of Elections gets you on their list, they never let you forget Election Day is approaching and it's time to get trained again. In all honesty though, even though it's a LONG day (5:30am to 8:30pm), it's also pretty enjoyable--especially since the turnout in my area was better than expected.

What's all this have to do with The Nylon Gene? Well, as in previous elections, my pollworker 'uniform' included ACTIVSKIN legwear worn with shorts--this time in black, as pictured at right (ACTIVSKIN A575 in case you're wondering). The more obvious legwear provided a good opportunity to observe reactions of a large number of people who may not have otherwise been acquainted with this emerging trend. Read on for a synopsis...

I have to preface my observations by noting that by now most of my friends and acquaintenances are well aware of my work in marketing and publicizing the men's legwear trend, and thus take it completely in stride. Working a precinct close to my home meant I encountered a good many of these today. There were some whom I hadn't seen in awhile, so we had an opportunity to chat and catch up on things. Without exception, they expressed interest and support for my (somewhat) new career direction in marketing men's legwear.

During the course of the day, I alternated between sitting at the provisional voter table, guiding voters to machines or just walking around talking to people when there were no voters needing paper ballots. This gave me a good opportunity to watch people unobtrusively and guage their reactions to the 'mantyhose.' In past elections, I've worn tan colored hosiery that, while still fairly noticeable, was possible to overlook if one was not paying close attention. Today, it was impossible to miss the black legwear. More than 800 voters came through during the course of the day.

The overwhelming majority took little or no detectable notice. While they may indeed have wondered, "why's that guy wearing pantyhose?" they gave every appearance of giving it no more concern than one would over the color of one's shirt. This could be an indication of having been already aware of the existence of men's legwear, and thus there being no novelty factor to it. There were probably 4 or 5 who did double-takes and may have been unfavorably disposed to it. Another dozen or two could be seen glancing out of the corner of their eye while waiting in line, or otherwise looking when they thought I was not noticing them. These could fall into either the positive or negative category, as their facial expression betrayed little. Looking can't be equated with disapproval, however. As I've written elsewhere, when we are confronted with something new and/or unexpected, we all tend to linger in our gaze because of the novelty factor.

Steve Newman of ActivSkin, wearing I also engaged in several conversations about the legwear with voters who asked questions or expressed interest. There were several women who had family members who were runners; have leg circulation issues; or similar, as well as a few men who expressed interest for similar reasons. After they finished voting, we chatted briefly about the various benefits and reasons for wearing legwear and I gave them one of my cards. If you are one of these and are reading this blog as a result, "welcome, and enjoy..." The high school girls' cross-country/track coach with whom I recently made acquaintance at the MMOC stopped to chat briefly and wished me luck with my work.

As a final note, the folks I worked with were without exception great people, and, this time I was joined by my 18-year old daughter, who was one of three high school girls assigned as part of the "Youth At The Booth" program. One of them, a family friend, has seen my TV appearances and thought it was 'pretty cool'. My fellow pollworkers, by the way, took the legwear in stride too. A couple of us have worked together before, so it was nothing new for them.

The bottom line in all this: while a guy wearing sheer black legwear is still highly unusual to be sure, it's not something that will draw the condemnation of the average person as one might once have intuitively expected. When done in the context of masculine attire such as this, by one who conveys confidence in oneself, there's no reason for it to draw ridicule or mocking. Furthermore, those who have reason to wear it, but do so in a less noticeable manner (under long pants, or in skintone-matching colors) certainly should be able to do so without concern over anyone questioning their masculinity. It's been my experience that if there's no reason to do that in the first place, the addition of legwear should not change the equation.

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Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween!

Halloween's here, and today we'll see lots of people in costume. Some will go all out. Others--like me--just add a little something out of the ordinary, to shake things up a bit.

I've still got two kids of trick-or-treating age, and one of the other two are in the 'bordline' zone. All of them are old enough to go out without one of us parents going along. So, when Beggar's Night came this week, Mrs. Nylon Gene and I got to stay home and hold down the fort, passing out candy and seeing whether anyone did a double take at my legwear choice.

Legwear lends itself well to costumes, as was evident by observing all those who came to our driveway looking for candy. It used to be just about the only time males could wear tights or other hosiery without drawing odd glances. That, of course, has changed considerably these past several years, due in large part to advocacy activities of ACTIVSKIN and other sellers of men's legwear. Although most days, camo tights like these would probably draw at least a few comments, last night they didn't even warrant so much as a second glance.

OK, Kids... don't eat all of your candy at once...

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Friday, October 30, 2009

Apparenty, Mantyhose Didn't Lend Itself to Mancow Ridicule...

The Mantyhose Interview, on The Mancow ShowWell, now that 3 days have passed since my radio interview on The Mancow Show--and it has not aired--we can safely assume the worst about what happened. It's nearly unavoidable to assume that my answers simply did not lend themselves to ridicule and mockery. Unfortunately, rather than air the interview as it took place, Eric Muller simply canned it.


I was interviewed on Tuesday morning (Oct. 27) via phone, around 8:10am Eastern Time. I had taped it on a digital recorder, but inadvertently erased it, so I can't upload the audio, unfortunately. However, going from memory, Eric started out by offering the backhanded compliment about how brave I must be for coming on the show to be interviewed about men's pantyhose. He then went on to ask why I was doing it, as well as about the 'mantyhose' in general.

In answering, I first said I wanted to clarify some issues that have been associated with this whole thing since the flurry of press activity in the U.K. last month, following the launch of the men's legwear line in a London department store. I said that what we're doing at ACTIVSKIN was very different than how the British press have tried to portray this trend. Men who are wearing our legwear are all about practical, functional benefits of the legwear--not wearing flashy prints combined with mini-kilts, and adopting silly-looking styles. I said the men's legwear trend is about men wearing legwear in a completely masculine setting and how many 'regular guys' have been buying ACTIVSKIN over the past 10 years and the trend seems poised on a 'tipping point' that is becoming more readily accepted by many. During the interview, he did give me ample opportunity to give the website addresses for both ACTIVSKIN and The Nylon Gene blogsite.

At the time, I appreciated him providing me that opportunity--that is, until I've come to realize he had decided to can the whole interview, and not even air it. I downloaded the audio file for the entire morning show to make sure for myself, but it is most definitely not there. Nor did it air the next day either. The interesting thing is that I counted at least five different 'teaser' lead-ins he did leading up to our conversation (which was taped, BTW) including one that said he would be "minutes from now". Yet, the interview never aired. I wonder what listeners thought when the promised 'mantyhose interview' never materialized?

Today on The Mancow Show...When I inquired about this in an email to my show contact, he reminded me that they had originally said it may be aired live, or taped for later. Of course, I assumed that would mean later in the show--especially since the website even listed me by name as a guest, with a mouse-over notation that read, "Manty Hose" (see picture at right). In any case, given that it's now Friday and the segment has not aired, I think it's apparent that I proved unable to be manipulated into mockery by the Mancow.

I've now been interviewed a number of times on radio, as well as TV, so I have some basis for comparison, and I think the staff of the Mancow Show should be ashamed of the way they treat guests on their show. This is the sort of thing you would associate with going on The Jerry Springer Show. I was fully prepared to answer questions that were hostile, and after listening to his show for a few days prior, I assumed he would attempt to poke fun at me and what I was representing. As I've written elsewhere, I figure I need to be ready to 'walk into the lions den' if I'm going to be the point guy for men's legwear. However, it seems rather cowardly to simply can the interview in such an abrupt way just because he found it difficult to make sport of me.

It shows a complete disregard of the value of my time that I spent preparing for this interview, responding to their requests for extensive information, talking points, etc. We even sent them a free sample of ACTIVSKIN legwear to try out! Mancow represents the worst elements of 'entertainment' media today.

Probably the most ironic aspect of all this is what Mancow said just before the interview, on an unrelated item. He said,
"... it doesn't matter what you say. I'm tellin' you, it doesn't matter what you say--people are gonna hate you. So don't worry about it. To thine own self be true."

Thanks for the advice, Mancow...


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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Did Anyone Here Actually Hear The Interview?...

Are there any Nylon Gene readers that actually heard the Oct. 27 interview on The Mancow Show? I used my digital recorder to tape it from the online, "Listen Live" link--and then proceeded to inadvertently delete it. Next I downloaded the audio file of the day's show, hoping to be able to hear it played back. But I found that the audio file doesn't seem to contain anything other than several setups he did for it, preceding the interview itself. Murphy's Law has certainly not been repealed...

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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

'Mantyhose' Interview on The Mancow Show

I just finished the interview with Eric Muller, The Mancow, this morning and it went just about as expected. I anticipated a fairly hostile reception, and wasn't disappointed in that. To be fair, Mancow tried to avoid his natural inclination to simply insult and mock, then hang up. Unfortunately, the segment was followed immediately by citing a 'news' item that betrays a mindset that draws parallels between men's tights and homosexuality. (coincidence? I think not...)

Was it a mistake to go on air for an interview like this? I don't think so... One thing that needs to happen to move men's legwear further away from silly stereotypes is to take the fight right to the enemy--such as walking into the lion's den like this. If men who wear legwear constantly shy away from those who want to call it 'stupid', make insinuations about their masculinity, or otherwise mock--we'll continue to reinforce the stereotypes that still exist in some people's mind. That is, some people will continue to draw parallels with feminized men, unless we demonstrate that we are ready to face down those who want to insult or belittle.

Is Eric Muller 'the enemy'? Not really, but he's certainly hostile to the idea of men's legwear and representative of a certain segment of society that still holds sway to a certain extent. I'm not referring to conservative/libertarian political leanings--as that could also describe myself, too. I'm referring to the mindset that defines masculinity by superficial trappings, while overlooking the things that define authentic manhood. The clothing that's associated with males has changed drastically over time--even as recently as since the 1970s. (Remember what we used to think about men who wore earrings?...) But the traits that truly define maleness changes very little over time.

So, the men who legwear need to be ready to demonstrate their manhood by stepping forward and acknowledging they wear it to those who might not be too sympathetic to it, and saying, "so what? I know who I am." They need to be confident enough in their masculinity to wear their tights in a way that conveys that confidence to all they meet. The one complimentary thing Mancow said during the interview was a remark about my being pretty brave to go on his show knowing what was likely to happen. I take some satisfaction in being able to draw even that small acknowledgement from him.

While it's too bad we couldn't take more than a superficial look at the topic, I understand the limitations of air time. Yet, I'm hoping there are some here reading this because they first heard about it on The Mancow Show. BTW, thanks Eric, for giving me the opportunity to give the website and blog address.

We've seen it many times before: when people take the opportunity to learn more about men's legwear and the practical reasons why men are wearing them, they come away with a much more positive attitude towards it. The superficial approach that portrays it as men trying to be women is what continues to drive negative attitudes--but it's not an accurate portrayal of the vast majority of men who are wearing legwear today.

If you're new to the blog because of listening to the radio interview, I'd encourage you to go to the category links in the righthand column. Find the area that's closest to your situation, whether that be leg health, athletic benefits, outdoorsmen applications, etc, and read some of the articles here. You can also learn a good deal from looking over the Media Blogroll. I put it all out there, the good, the bad, and the ugly, so you'll see articles that reinforce the Mancow mindset, BUT you'll also find those that take a more insightful approach, too. One thing that's clear, the 'mantyhose' is being talked about a lot these days. There must be something to it.

And, guys, if you're one of the many thousands and thousands of ACTIVSKIN customers who're already wearing legwear, do so with confidence--whether with shorts or not--and don't let questions from others cause you to doubt yourself.

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Sunday, October 25, 2009

Steve Newman To Be Interviewed on Mancow Muller Radio Show

A heads up for Nylon Gene readers: I'm scheduled to be interviewed by Eric Muller on the 'Mancow Muller' Radio Show this Tuesday, October 27th. I'll be on the air about 7:10am (CDT).

The show is nationally syndicated and carried on many local radio stations. You can go to the show's website at www.mancow.com to see if a local station in your area carries the show. If not, go to the website around the time of the interview and listen live.

I'll try to post the audio of the interview where you can listen not too long afterwards. I don't know exactly how it will go, but I'm hoping that the national exposure will generate some beneficial spinoff publiciity for men's legwear. Feel free to Tweet some reminders so your friends will know about it, too.

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Saturday, October 24, 2009

MLB Playoffs: Tights Help Players Weather Playoffs

An article at MLB.com asserts something we've been saying for quite some time. Tights are an effective weapon against the cold for athletes. The article, entitled, "Dodgers Ready to Weather Philly's Chill" (see the Media Blogroll for links) includes the following quote.

..Poole, however, said he's not aware of any player who will wear thermal underwear.

"They're wearing the Nike tights," he said. "They wick the moisture off the body. No one wears thermals anymore. It's the new technology. The tights are thinner and can be worn under the uniform and they are more like skin.

Basically, the article says Major League Baseball recognizes that thermal underwear (i.e., 'longjohns') is yesterday's technology. It keeps you warm at the price of having bulky material under your clothing or uniform that inhibits movement and doesn't feel too good in comparison to tights.

A similar article by the Associated Press describes "How Ballplayers Stay Warm When Playoffs Turn Cold". In it, California Angels equipment manager Ken Higdon recommends, among other things, to "...wear tights."

Of course, that's precisely what we've been saying at ACTIVSKIN all along. 'Warmth-without-bulk' is a great benefit for athletes who need an insulating layer that allows complete freedom of movement. And, they come in both opaque and sheer fabrics to provide greater or lesser levels of base-layer insulation, respectively. While Nike or Under Armor cite materials technology that may tweak a bit more wicking action out of the material, it comes at a premium that also drives the price much higher. ACTIVSKIN provides similar insulation value and wicking action at a much lower price. Not everyone is an MLB player or Olympic athlete--nor does everyone have Major League or Olympic budget for athletic wear, either.

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Thursday, October 22, 2009

Steve Newman Interview on Blogging (WhoHub)

Please visit WhoHub to read an interview I've given on my experience with blogging, primarily with THIS blog, The Nylon Gene. Feel free to share it with friends or on Facebook/Twitter, etc.

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Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Athletes Hope Stockings Can Improve Blood Flow

Honolulu Star BulletinThe following article appeared this week in the Honolulu Star Bulletin. It does a pretty good job of describing the benefits that support hosiery--such as ACTIVSKIN Legwear--can provide to runners and other athletes.
Athletes hope stockings can improve blood flow - Hawaii Features - Starbulletin.com

Several of the various studies cited found performance enhancement from improved bloodflow in the legs, although not all of them confirmed this result. However, most did find that 'athletes experienced reduced muscle soreness and recovered from exercise more quickly." Since the majority of athletes tend to fall into the 'weekend warrior' category--rather than elite athletes such as those studied--we might expect this to be a significant benefit to potential ACTIVSKIN customers.

ActivSkin Legwear provides warmth-without-bulk, PLUS leg compression to help with performanceThe article didn't focus on this, but I've posted articles here before noting the climate control benefit of nylon/lycra legwear for runners, cyclists and other outdoor athletes. In addition to the aforementioned leg compression benefits, sheer or thin opaque legwear initially provides a moderate degree of insulation for bare legs when it's cold out, yet does not cause overheating when the internal body temperature rises during exercise.

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Sunday, October 18, 2009

Supplies Shipped to Troops Include Pantyhose

I noted in a recent article in the Gadsden (AL) Times (Movers and Shakers Ship Supplies to Battalion Stationed in Kuwait) that among the items being shipped to troops stationed in the Mideast are pantyhose. Anyone familiar with The Nylon Gene, or ACTIVSKIN, may not be surprised at this news, but the average person on the street is not likely to be familiar with the benefits provided by nylon/lycra pantyhose for the soldier.

Back in 2003/04, there was a flurry of media coverage of the use of pantyhose by U.S. troops stationed in Iraq as a defense against sand fleas, as well as chafing and blisters caused by boots and rough uniforms in that sandy climate. As a result, ACTIVSKIN received many orders from Stateside loved ones sending them to their men in uniform.

Discussion of military life has seemed to fade a bit to the background in the past couple of years. Yet, they are still there carrying out their mission. It was good to read this story about people assembling packages of goods to send over to them. I'd like to take this opportunity to also remind readers that if you have a loved one serving in the Mideast who has had to deal with sand fleas and such, you can order a few pairs of our ACTIVSKIN A677s to send over in your next CARE package--or, we can send them directly if so directed.

When ordering, be sure to take advantage of the 20% discount we offer for all active duty military. Just go to the "Great Deals" tab on the ActivSkin website. BTW, there are many styles that would do, but I suggested the A677s because they are sheer, and therefore cooler; they have a fly opening; and they glide well under pants and would be very good for avoiding blisters and chafing.

In closing, I'd also like to reprint a very good letter I received several months ago from a retired military person in support of our ACTIVSKIN legwear:


April 23, 2009
Mr. Newman:

Just want to congratulate you on your endeavor to get men's hosiery into the mainstream.

I have purchased some of ActivSkins products. They were just what I needed for several endeavors. We here in the military (I am both a former Marine and Army paratrooper) have worn pantyhose for several years... simply as a means to an end, i.e. keeping leeches off our genitals during swamp training... and also as the first layer of clothing during cold weather training. Myself and others do not wear them outwardly (you are a brave man Mr. Newman!) but pantyhose are a lifesaver for us fellas in the military. BTW. Navy SEALS started to wear pantyhose for protection against leeches as early as Vietnam! Not to mention... many Marines wear them to protect aginst ticks at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

I myself have worn pantyhose during long force marches. We generally 'ruck up' with a ruck sack that weighs nearly 50 lbs or more... to include our helmets, rifles, web gear, etc. Comfilons [former brand name] hose have quite literally saved my feet and legs from all kinds of complications that come with long force/road marches. My legs feel invigorated, warm, and I love the support! Not to mention... the nylon on our feet prevents blisters, as they are a guard against socks slipping and sliding in our boots.

As for your detractor's... I see that women wear everything that we men have in our wardrobe (to include our underwear, i.e. 'boy shorts') and society is just fine with that, no friction whatsoever. Yet, let a man wear ActivSkin openly, and the hoots of derision begin. Again, I applaud you for your efforts.

Just thought I'd drop you a line to encourage you and thank you!
Don't Quit!

Mike


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Thursday, October 15, 2009

Defending the Mantyhose at NBC

Courtesy of e-MANcipate.net. The website promotes men's pantyhose as a fashion statement--a minority position among male hosiery wearersNylon Gene readers who are following updates added to the Media Blog will have noted addition of a link to a story entitled "Horrors of Fashion: Mantyhose" on the KXAX/NBC5 website the other day. As suggested by the title, it did not take a favorable tone toward men's legwear. Happily, today a follow-up piece was published called, "Defending the Mantyhose". This resulted from contacts I made with author/editor Greg Janda, explaining the variety of practical benefits for which men are now wearing pantyhose. The initial article approached the issue strictly from a 'fashion statement' perspective and was completely negative in tone. We commend Mr. Janda for his willingness to present counter-balancing information as well...

There has been a flood of articles and blog posts focusing on the men's pantyhose (aka, 'mantyhose') trend since late September, when several British newspapers ran the story of a leading London department store launching a line of 'Mantihose' from clothing designer Unconditional. As it turns out, the mantihose in question seem to more resemble cotton/lycra blend leggings than pantyhose. The UK media muddied the waters further by combining silly-looking photos of their reporters wearing this legwear (paired with a mini-kilt, basic dress shirt and tie), with others borrowed from the e-MANcipate website.

In reality, most guys wear their legwear in a fairly low-key mannerThe result has been misleading mental images of men's legwear in the public eye that conjure up connotations of modern day 'merry men' prancing about in short skirts and snakeskin tights. Needless to say, under those conditions the overwhelming public response is one of, "What the... ?"

During this time, yours truly has been working overtime to engage discussion in these many venues, where reporters essentially ask, in so many words, "Would you wear THIS?..." Respondents predictably reply, "Hell no!" Who can be surprised at these responses, if the other side of the coin is not being presented?

Our observations indicate that when the story of men's legwear (tights, pantyhose, mantyhose, etc.) is conveyed in a context of the practical reasons for which men are wearing them, people are less inclined to react in the visceral ways we see when it is presented in a context of showy, dramatic styles intended to grab the viewer and 'make a bold statement.' Men wearing legwear for leg support, added warmth, or even the comfortable feeling it provides, don't evoke the same degree of resistance among the unitiated that fashion tights with colorful patterns do. I think this is because the latter is much further removed from the current experience of most males and their loved ones today.

I would like to explore this issue further in the near future. For now, suffice it to say that I have to wonder aloud whether imagery such as found on e-MANcipate harm more than help our advocacy efforts for the men's legwear trend? I have great admiration for Chan Kraemer, the website creator, and his photographic skills, as well as his passion for promoting something so far outside the current social norms. We have corresponded on a number of occasions.

The many photographic images depicting men wearing colorful legwear in a wide range of settings has been very successful in getting the idea of men's legwear on the radar screen of many media organizations around the world that otherwise would probably never have paid much notice at all. Part of that success comes from the boldness of the tights they are shown wearing, with patterns and colors that can hardly be ignored. Yet, the vast majority of men who wear legwear--myself included--would not consider wearing these designs, let alone those men who have yet to so much as try their first pair of tights. The dilemma of promoting men's legwear is that very often it is either completely covered, or barely noticeable unless photographed up close with very high resolution.

I face the same dilemma here on The Nylon Gene. While I often wear dark-colored or black hosiery with a basic shorts and pullover shirt outfit, my position as a public legwear advocate demands a higher degree of visibility than the average guy might embrace. Some might say the black legwear is over the line, too. One distinction from the patterned tights shown on e-MANcipate is that all of the legwear I'm photographed wearing are actually men's tights or hosiery. Currently, no company is selling tights in the variety of patterns and colors depicted at e-MANcipate. With the exception of camouflage, I doubt the men's legwear market will support anything at all like what is shown in these pictures--at least in the near or intermediate future.

So, the question arises: Are images such as I've discussed above beneficial, in that they provoke much more 'buzz' surrounding them--even if most of it is negative? (the, "any publicity is good publicity" theory) Or, would men's legwear be better served having people's first encounter one in which it's depicted more akin to the way most men who might adopt it could see themselves wearing it--with information included about functional reasons why they might consider giving it a try? Although the latter alternative is more likely to evoke an initial positive response, it may not have the 'Wow' factor that gets it noticed more often. Is it better to expose a wider spectrum of people to the concept--hoping to later persuade them of the practical benefits of what was first met with mocking or ridicule?

As I've Twittered, blogged and emailed out my, "rest of the story" in the wake of the most recent publicity wave, these are the questions that have run through my mind. I would be very interested to hear what The Nylon Gene readers have to say on this...

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Thursday, October 8, 2009

Reprint Available: Santa Barbara News-Press article

On Sept. 14th, I reported to Nylon Gene readers that the Santa Barbara News-Press had run a feature-length piece on men's shapewear/legwear. Some were disappointed to learn that viewing the article required a News-Press subscription, and many declined registering for one. On top of that, the article was moved to archives after 7 days and was no longer available. I've posted the text of this article on the blog, and you can see it by going to the posts for that date. The article focused on Pete Johnson, a Santa Barbara resident who tried on ActivSkin support pantyhose and Ecumen's shaper tank top. Two side articles explored these two products (and yours truly) in greater depth. My apologies for taking so long to have it posted, but my efforts were complicated by the News-Press' procedures.

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Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Media Blogroll: Mantyhose/Men's Pantyhose News

mantyhose in the news On this page you'll find links to a broad sampling of past news items--The Good, The Bad & The Ugly--from the past several years relating to 'mantyhose', men's pantyhose, men in tights, guy's legwear, etc. I've been compiling this list for quite some time, yet the list isn't exhaustive. I'll keep adding to it over time, so check back occasionally. I welcome readers to email me with links to articles you come across that I may have missed. I may not list everything, due to redundancy. Entries are in reverse chronological order, listed first by media organization and then by article title...

Examiner: Male Tights-Wearers Gaining a New Sense of Confidence - Feb. 11, 2010Toronto Life: The Next Big Thing from Europe: Mantyhose - Jan. 25, 2010Philadelphia Magazine: MANTYHOSE: In Defense of Men in Tights - Jan. 20, 2010Examiner: Mantyhose: Frequently Asked Questions About Pantyhose for Men - Dec. 29, 2009Examiner: Mantyhose Trend in China is Growing From Small Beginnings - Dec. 16, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN mentioned)




- LA Talk Radio/Broad Topics:
Steve Newman/ACTIVSKIN Interview on Mantyhose - Nov. 10, 2009 Examiner: Ladies, Does Your Guy Wear Pantyhose?... Maybe He Should - Nov. 6, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN mentioned)





- The Mancow Radio Show:
Steve Newman/ACTIVSKIN Interview on Mantyhose - Oct. 27, 2009 Centre Daily Times: Men in the Mirdle: New Underwear Designs Are Putting Squeeze on Men's Midsections - Oct. 21, 2009 Dublin Herald (Ireland): Are Our Men Really In a Tight(s) Spot? - Oct. 20, 2009 Associated Press (AP): How Ballplayers Stay Warm When Playoffs Turn Cold - Oct. 19, 2009 Honolulu Star Bulletin: Athletes Hope Stockings Can Improve Blood Flow - Oct. 19, 2009 MLB.com: Dodgers Ready to Weather Philly's Chill - Oct. 17, 2009 (...he's not aware of any player who will wear thermal underwear. "They're wearing the Nike tights," he said.) Chicago Tribune: Love Handles? Try a Mirdle - Oct. 15, 2009 KXAS/NBC5 Dallas-Ft. Worth: Defending the Mantyhose - Oct. 15, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN mentioned--counterpoint to previous article) KXAS/NBC5 Dallas-Ft. Worth: Horrors of Fashion: Mantyhose - Oct. 13, 2009

Athens (AL) News Courier: My Warnings Have Come to Naught - Oct. 3, 2009
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Men Have Been Shopping More; Now Do They Want More? - Oct. 3, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN mentioned)






- KUDO1080 Radio, Anchorage AK: Steve Newman/ACTIVSKIN Interview with Kathy Phillips - Sept. 30, 2009
BBC News Magazine: What Sort of Man Wears Mantyhose? - Sept. 29, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN mentioned)
Examiner: London Mantyhose Line Has Britons All a-Twitter - Sept. 28, 2009(ACTIVSKIN mentioned)
U-TV: Real Men Don't Wear Mantyhose - Sept. 27, 2009






- BBC Radio Kent:
Steve Newman/ACTIVSKIN Interview with Andrew Garland - Sept. 25, 2009






- BBC Radio Wales:
Steve Newman/ACTIVSKIN Interview with Jamie & Louise - Sept. 25, 2009
New York Magazine/The Cut: Mantyhose: Yay or Nay? - Sept. 25, 2009
Marie Claire UK: Selfridges Stock Tights for Men - Sept. 24, 2009
The Daily Telegraph (London): Selfridges Launches 'Mantyhose' - Tights for Men - Sept. 24, 2009
Stylist: 'Mantihose' Makes Men In Tights a Cruel Reality - Sept. 24, 2009
London Evening Standard: Will Chaps Warm to The Mantyhose? - Sept. 23, 2009
Examiner: Autumn: Men's Legwear Is In-Season - Sept. 21, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN mentioned)
The Gadsden (AL) Times: Movers & Shakers Ship Supplies to Battalion in Kuwait - Sept. 20, 2009
Examiner: Should Men Wear Pantyhose? (Poll & Video) - Sept. 15, 2009
Examiner: Men's Legwear Showing Signs of Moving Toward Mainstream - Sept. 14, 2009
Santa Barbara News-Press: He's Got Legs! It Takes a Real Man to Test Latest Fashion Trend, Shapewear for Guys - Sept. 14, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN featured)
Examiner: Leg Troubles Know No Gender Boundaries - Sept. 11, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN included)







- British Forces Broadcasting Services (BFBS) Radio:
Steve Newman/ACTIVSKIN Interview w/Lynne Duffus - Aug. 28, 2009
Examiner: Saturday Night's Alright for Tights: Men In Tights Part Two - Aug. 27, 2009
Examiner: C'mon, Show Support: Men In Tights - Aug. 24, 2009 (ComfiLon mentioned)
Field & Stream Magazine: Chad Love Field Notes: Would You Wear Mantyhose? - Aug. 13, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN featured)
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Are We Ready for Mantyhose? Pantyhose for Men - July 23, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN mentioned)
NBC4-TV/WCMH Columbus: ACTIVSKIN Guest Appearance on Daytime Columbus - July 23, 2009
TIME Magazine: Spanx for Men - July 13, 2009
TIME Magazine/Photo Essay: Mancessories - July 6, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN included)
NBC4-TV/WCMH Columbus: ACTIVSKIN Guest Appearance on Daytime Columbus - June 22, 2009
NBC4-TV/WCMH Columbus: ACTIVSKIN Guest Appearance on Daytime Columbus - June 8, 2009
Hilliard (Ohio) Northwest News: Hilliard Man Struts/Sells Stockings for Men - April 22, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN featured)
John Tesh/Random Intelligence: A Growing Number of Men Are Wearing Mantyhose - April 6, 2009
The Daily Mail (London): Mantyhose: Move Over Robin Hood... Meet the Real Men In Tights - March 13,2009
Philadelphia Enquirer: Mantyhose: A New Trend? - March 11, 2009
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Should Men Wear Pantyhose for Warmth? - Feb. 12, 2009
The Press and Journal (Aberdeen, Scotland): How I Became a Stocking Filler - Feb. 11, 2009
Orlando Sentinel: Readers Weigh In On Men't Pantyhose (Mantyhose) Question - Jan. 29, 2009
Access Hollywood: Oprah Wears Mantyhose to Inauguration - Jan. 21, 2009 (quoted as saying, "I’m front and center and frozen and happy. I’m layered and I’m wearing something called men’s pantyhose."
NBC News12 Arizona: Mantyhose: Pantyhose for Men Making It's Way to U.S. -
Saturday Night Live/NBC: Parody of Kathie Lee/TODAY Show with Mantyhose - Jan. 13, 2009
Salon (broadsheet): On "Mantyhose" and Misogyny - Jan. 9, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN mentioned)
City File (New York): Mantyhose Emerging from the Closet - Jan. 7, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN mentioned)
NBC Today Show (msnbc.com): Not Your Mom's Pantyhose - Jan. 7, 2009 (Video link here) ACTIVSKIN shown
The Washtington Times: Men In Tights, For Real / Guys Cite Warmth, Support - Sept. 3, 2008 (ACTIVSKIN mentioned)
Columbus Dispatch: Granville Man Offers 30 Styles - Aug. 28, 2008 (ACTIVSKIN featured)
New York Magazine/The Cut: Men In Tights? It's Time for Mantyhose - Aug. 11, 2008
The (Scottish) Sun: Men In Tights - Aug. 6, 2008
Good Morning America: Meet the Men Who Dared to Wear Pantyhose - June 16, 2008
Neatorama: Pantyhose For Men (French Hosiery Maker Gerbe Introduces Men's Line) - Feb. 10, 2007
Lenore Skenazy Syndicated Column: When Men Get Into Nylons - Jan. 7, 2007 (ACTIVSKIN featured)
The Ledger: Wearing Pantyhose Is Serious Business for Some Guys - Sept. 16, 2006 (ACTIVSKIN featured)
Playboy Advisor: Boyfriend Wears Pantyhose in Public w/Shorts - March 2005
The Morning Call: Pantyhose Are a Defensive Weapon in Iraq - March 31, 2003 (ACTIVSKIN featured) NOTE: There were several dozen similar articles following this that were reprinted in numerous newspapers around the country
Entrepeneur Magazine: Bunch of Hosiers - August 2002 (ACTIVKSIN featured)
Financial Times (London): Men In Tights - June 7, 2002 (ComfiLon featured)
NPR Radio: ComfiLon Interview with John Ydstie - Feb. 23, 2002
Wall Street Journal: Kingsize, Not Queen: More Men Taking to Wearing Pantyhose - Feb. 19, 2002 (ComfiLon featured)



BLOG ARTICLES ON MEN's PANTYHOSE:
(...mentions of men's legwear on blogs not otherwise focused on this issue)
Get Your Fashion: Info - Men In Tights, Loving It [Hose] - Jan. 21, 2010
Feme Fashions/Looks of Life (India): Mantyhose for Men? - Nov. 7, 2009
BitterWallet.com: Meggings--For Men Sickened by the Thought of Mantyhose - Oct. 28, 2009
Jess King Talks Too Much: Urgently Hilarious Update - Oct. 20, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN, and yours truly, mentioned)
Jess King Talks Too Much: Is That Really a Thing?! - Oct. 13, 2009
Swoon Over This: Mantyhose? - Oct. 13, 2009
Shop Talk: Daily Dish for Dallas Girls: Tights for Men. "Mantyhose." Umm... - Oct. 12, 2009
Got a Question? Text it to 542542: Today's Pulse on 542542: Mantyhose - Oct. 12, 2009
Blogging With Besen Retail: Men In Tights? - Oct. 8, 2009 (Featured a Picture of 'Yours Truly')
Fashion Diaries: Fashion News... A Curious Menswear Movement - Sept. 28, 2009
BitterWallet.com: BitterWallet's Christmas List: No. 4 - the Mantyhose - Sept. 9, 2009
Melissa De Sa's Blog: Mantyhose! - Sept. 4, 2009
eHow.com: How to Keep Warm While Running/Cycling Without Overheating - Aug. 27, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN featured)
Healthy Living: Pantyhose Aren't Just for Women Anymore - Feb. 3, 2009
Feministing.com: The Politics of Mantyhose - Jan. 9, 2009 (ACTIVSKIN mentioned)
Female First UK: The Board: Women's Views on Men Who Wear Tights/Pantyhose - Jan. 29, 2004 (With 577 posts, and counting, this thread will provide weeks of reading on the topic. Still being posted to, and includes some very insightful discussion. )


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