Sunday, August 15, 2010

St. Augustine.com: The Case of the Subborn Pantyhose

Too many ladies have their pantyhose
in a bunch over nothing
I couldn't resist commenting on the recent article published in the St. Augustine Record, entitled "The Case of the Stubborn Pantyhose" (July 18, 2010). Anne Heymen, the woman who wrote the article, doesn't sound like one who has an axe to grind when it comes to wearing pantyhose, but she typifies the reason why the misconception that hosiery is an uncomfortable burden to wear has taken hold so firmly in recent years.

And, the corollary to the mistaken view that women's pantyhose are so horribly uncomfortable, of course, follows: Why on earth would MEN be wearing them if we women can't stand them? Is there something 'wrong' with a guy who wears them--since it can't possibly be for comfort or practical reasons?

Yet, the thing is, for the most part guys who have taken to wearing them over the past 10 years or so have found them to be comfortable, and to provide practical benefits, too. For those interested, you can access my posted comment here ("Lucky?... Not Quite."). I've also taken the liberty of reprinting it here, below:
Having worn both neckties and pantyhose, I can assure you--the person who 'has' to wear the necktie most certainly has the worse end of the deal than the one who's required to wear pantyhose.

It is in fact true that we men don't "have" to wear pantyhose. However, a growing number of guys are choosing to wear them because we're discovering there are definite benefits to be had, which you ladies have been downplaying all these years as you carry on about how uncomfortable they supposedly are. I suppose that may be because most women assume no guy is ever going to call them on that claim.

Not so anymore, though. There are thousands and thousands of guys across the U.S. who are trying them on, and finding they're not really all that uncomfortable after all. I know this from working in the men's hosiery business for some time. In fact, if you're like myself and suffer from a bit of venous insufficiency that makes your legs achy and tired during the day, you may even discover that they feel pretty darn good. The support styes can make your legs feel energized instead of lethargic--and that makes it all worthwhile.

I think one of the main reasons women find pantyhose to seem so uncomfortable is because, 1). they go cheap and forego spending a few extra bucks on a brand of hose that will last longer and won't itch and sag, 2). they buy them one or two sizes too small, possibly in hopes of kidding themselves that they're really smaller than they really are. (my advice: just bite the bullet and get the size you need--nobody's looking over your shoulder to see whether you buy 'Q' or '2X'), and 3). they don't think they need "control top". What many don't realize is that the control top isn't just for keeping your tummy tucked in. They also keep them from sliding down in the crotch area, too.

So, even if your girlfriends won't tell ya, take it from a guy: buy better quality hose that FIT, and most of your complaints will go away. And, your newly energized legs will make it all worthwhile. Also, to read more about the growing men's legwear trend, read some of the articles on my blog, The Nylon Gene at www.nylongene.com

2 comments:

  1. Hi Steve, Just read the St Augustine article and it looks like no woman wants to follow your comment. Like you blew them out of the water. Gerat job, love the blog.

    Allen
    LAUF

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks. Yep, I try to respond to these things in a charitable way, all the while telling it just as it is. With so many men around who have tried hose, and found them to actually feel good and be beneficial to their legs--it's getting harder to make the claims women make about them and get off unchallenged.

    ReplyDelete

 
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