Do Women Wear Nylons/pantyhose with Dresses Anymore?

Updated on July 10, 2012
C.K. asks from Chicago, IL
29 answers

Hi Moms! I feel so out of it asking this question, but do women wear nylons/pantyhose with dresses anymore, or is that a terribly outdated look? I am attending a formal event in the near future and have no idea whether or not hose would look silly if I wore them. I also may be going on some job interviews soon, so I need to know for that setting as well. I wouldn't wear hose with casual dresses in a casual setting, but I'm really perplexed about formal and business settings. Any thoughts/advice? Thanks!

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C.P.

answers from Columbia on

I really don't care, personally, what the trend is. If I'm going to a formal event and wearing heels, I wear hose. They make my dresses flow so much nicer, and make my heels feel better on my feet.

I wear the "nude" color.

4 moms found this helpful
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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

I second the note that Kate Middleton wears them. It's just a classier look. Definitely wear hose for a job interview.

I honestly don't understand the no hose fad. My feet blister and stick to dress shoes weird without hose.

4 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

hm. depends on what kind of 'formal' event, i guess. for most formals i'd probably wear 'em. summer sundresses, casual skirts, anytime i'll be wearing sandals or open-toed shoes i don't wear hose. (and what a relief it is.) but in winter i do, actually more often it's tights. i like the extra layer, and in winter my legs are whitey white. when i'm teaching i always go conservative and wear hose. i'd never go bare-legged to a job interview.
i also love the wild ones, sparkles and patterns and fun stuff. wacky on a woman in her 50s, but what the hey?
:) khairete
S.

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C.S.

answers from Miami on

Hi C.,

Yes, if you are doing a job interview and the job is a professional one - then I would wear hose if you are wearing a suit with a skirt. I would also not wear open-toed shoes or sandals with a suit. Closed toed professional pumps would be the conservative way to dress. I also have always done very well in all of my interviews and once was even told that part of the reason I got the position was because I came off the airplane in a suit - dressed professionally and ready to begin the interview. Good thing, because I was being interviewed in the car on the way to the job site!

I think it depends upon the formal event that you will be attending...what is the venue? Is it black-tie (which means you will have a long dress) or is it semi-formal or black-tie optional (which means you will have a cocktail dress and NOT a long dress)? I am 40 and I live in Ft. Lauderdale. When I attend events in the northeast or in the Detroit area (where my mother's family lives) - I tend to go with hose! For work, I wear hose if I am wearing a skirt or dress (I work in the financial industry). I will be attending a wedding in Raleigh later this summer and it is being held at a park with a reception in a microbrewry - I am wearing a dress with cute sandals and no hose. It will be the first time I attend a wedding without hose, but I've never been to a reception in a microbrewry either:)

I disagree with Laurie A. A fashion magazine looks at trends and celebrities, not what is is proper.

Good luck! C.

7 moms found this helpful
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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Not really....looks dated, I think.

For the higher heels/pumps/foot burning/blister issue...look into the little peds liners.

But NO pantyhose with open toed shoes/sandals!

5 moms found this helpful
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G.H.

answers from Chicago on

yes they are fine but not with open toed shoes!!!!!!!!

4 moms found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Portland on

I was watching the chew a couple of weeks ago and Clinton Kelly (What not to Wear) said that they are out. And, if you have to wear them then they should match your skin and not stand out as "obvious". So, he said no suntan color unless you really are suntan color.

If its an interview I might. One thing you can do is wear knee highs for a longer skirt and then you only have half the heat. I would not wear them to a wedding, its just too hot! Well, unless its black tie and then I might, but that's not gonna happen here anytime soon. :)

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B.F.

answers from San Francisco on

It's funny because now that you mention it, I think "tights" are the new nylons/pantyhose. They serve the same purpose but are a little more updated.

Having said that, I think hose are less expected in both formal and business settings so you should do whatever makes you feel more comfortable, inlcuding wearing pants (to both) if you'd like.

If you want to wear hose and you're worried about looking up to date, I'd say just make sure to visit a dept. store or research what the updated shades and/or colors are for hose or "tights" these days since they may have changed since you last purchased them.

Have fun ad the event and good luck at the interviews :)

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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

I haven't seen anyone in my office wear hose in ages.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

It depends on where in the county you live, and how old you are, and where you're going.

In southern states, it's mostly bare legs. In northern states it's about 50/50. Depends a LOT on the location of the legs in question (law firm or dance club, wedding or cocktails), the time of year (winter more likely, summer less likely), and how old you are.

Ummm... the 80's are back with a vengence. Up here patterned tights (we're talking giant paisley swirls), ripped up fishnets, sparkles, etc. are being seen all over the college campus and local highschools. Often with socks worn on top of them. So while mid to late 20-30 somethings are largely bare, teens and young 20's are starting to stocking-up.

Stockings, btw, almost never go out of style. It's the garterbelt / sex appeal of them. Since they cost a mint, though, they're largely seen in the upper eschelons. Where perfectly tanned bare legs are also common. So it's a weird dichotomy.

3 moms found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from Memphis on

I had to ask my friends this question recently and I don't think anyone wears panyhose anymore! Tight and leggings...yes. I bought some tanning lotion and went bare.

Good luck on your interviews!

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L.E.

answers from Provo on

For a formal event, definitely. I wear them for work, church, weddings, etc. The only time I don't is when I am dressed for a very casual thing.

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

I like to wear them sometimes. If it's really hot they keep my thighs from sticking together they also suck in my tummy a bit. If it's cold they help keep my legs warm.

I would wear them for an interview, better to be over dressed, but professional, for an interview. Some companies still require hose as part of their dress code. It would be awful if you didn't get the job because you weren't wearing hose.

For the formal event you can always wear a pair and if you feel like the odd woman out go to the ladies room and remove them. Put a sandwich bag in your purse and fold them into the bag so you don't get runs or snags.

I love high heels and sometimes they are more comfortable with hose. Some pairs my feet stick and then hurt, so the hose prevent this.

Good luck on the interviews. :-))

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K.M.

answers from Chicago on

For me, it depends on what I am doing, what I am wearing and the time of year. I get hot easily so I tend to not wear them in the summer, but it is not a "rule" for me either. I wear them when it feels right. For a job interview if I was to wear a skirt/dress I would probably wear my spanx nylons, for a wedding, I think it would depend on the venue, dress, shoes and how formal/informal the event is.

If this helps your choice any the Dutchess of Cambridge, Catherine of Whales wears nylons and created a mad dash to the stores once it was realized here in the states and abroad.

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A.C.

answers from Atlanta on

Yes, I think for formal and business settings, they are necessary, and I will still wear them in the winter, too, for extra warmth. I am extremely pale, and my legs just don't look good without them in a lot of cases.

P.S. Fashion mags are so heavily airbrushed that I don't trust them for what anything should look like anymore!

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H.P.

answers from Houston on

They are not totally out. They should look natural on your legs, like foundation on your face, unless you are going for a different look.

Please be honest with yourself while you make this decision. All legs do not look good bare, especially with certain clotheimg There is also something to be said for the smooth lines that pantyhose offer. If you would look better with them, please wear them.

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S.R.

answers from Washington DC on

I think they are still worn with business suits where you wear pumps. It might look too casual or inappropriate (and uncomfortable on your feet) to wear a pair of pumps without hose.

If you're wearing sandals, or open toe shoes, then no hose.

Some hose are fashionable, the dark ones for example.

When you say formal settting, do you mean a business meeting or a evening out?

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J.R.

answers from Davenport on

If you are interviewing in a skirt-suit, wear closed toe shoes and nylons.....otherwise, wear a pants-suit! For a formal event, it depends on the dress and shoes....open toes=no nylons. But, if nylons make you feel good/more sleek, you can get around the shoes - wear some shorter legged spanx, if you want open toed shoes, sometimes you can find toeless nylons, too, that fit like flip flops with a piece between big and smaller toes , to your toes/pedicure are bare, and the nylon ends under the front strap of the shoe, then you still have the coverage of the legs. I would say the "fancier" the dress/shoes, the more appropriate nylons would be. But if you have great legs, no vericose veins, and no "chafing" issues you can skip he nylons to a formal event, if you want to, nowadays.

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M.K.

answers from Dallas on

I haven't worn hose since the late 80's. Even for job interviews and with suits. I'm 38, so not exactly a youngin'. I've not recently seen any other women wear hose in those circumstances either. Lastly, I've done my fair share of interviewing candidates and never thought a lack of hose inappropriate. In fact, the only impression hose would make on me during an interview would be that person is out of touch and/or old fashioned.

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X.O.

answers from Chicago on

I do for interviews/any time I am wearing a skirt-suit. I've never not gotten a job that I've interviewed for, so I'm pretty sure I dress just fine for them.

For a formal occassion, I only wear them if I have closed-toe shoes.

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J.B.

answers from Dayton on

Yep, I still wear them anytime I have on a dress. And it's mainly because I need the control-top kind to kinda hide my belly that just won't go away!

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B..

answers from Dallas on

I would think it depends on where you live. The only pantyhose I see around here, are in the octogenarian crowd. Even some of them don't. My own grandmother says they are dated. I have never walked into a business and noticed women wearing hose. When I worked in an office, none of the women wore them, even in winter. Perhaps, you could ask any ladies you know in your area? I think that would be more accurate.

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I feel naked if I wear a skirt without hose or tights. I'm 31. The exception is if it is REALLY hot out and I literally cant stand having hose on my legs, so in that case I wouldn't wear a skirt to work.

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L.A.

answers from Austin on

I have best friends that work at Neimans, Saks and Nordstroms in High end and Couture departments. .. they all said, "no hose".. Even most brides are no longer wearing hose.

If you need the control tops wear Spanx.

I have friends that are high powered Attorney's and they burst out laughing when I asked about Panty hose..

They said, they have not worn panty hose in years.. There was a judge in one county here that tried to "fine" a female attorney for not wearing hose and another male attorney for waring cowboy boots.. The other judges told him to stick to law and stay out of fashion, since he did not know the latest fashions.

FYI, the word "Classy" is not in any way classy..

Kate Middleton is wearing pantyhose, because the Queen who is in her 80's asked her to wear them.. They are not a fashion statement for her, they re a request from the Queen.

Absolutely NOT>>>

Look at the fashion magazines, look online at the movie stars.. NO panty hose.

Instead get a spray tan or a tanning product for your legs.. A good pedicure if you are wearing open toed shoes.

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H.?.

answers from Boise on

I hate pantyhose so I never wear them. Sometimes I will wear opaque black tights in the winter, but "tan" or "nude" colored pantyhose are pretty dated IMHO. My mom will use spray tan on her legs so they do not look too pale when she wears a dress, but I don't like the fake look of spray tan either. As far as the job interview, if wearing tights or pantyhose makes you feel more confident then wear it! If it makes you feel uncomfortable or self-conscious then don't! Your attitude is more important than your clothes. Best of luck, I hope you get the job!

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T.B.

answers from Miami on

Haven't worn them in years! When I absolutely have to, however, I wear thigh highs.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I can honestly say I don't remember the last time I saw anyone with hose on. It has been years and years. I do see tights during the winter but not even then is it mandatory.

1 mom found this helpful
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D..

answers from Charlotte on

I do. The younger women don't. I don't go out and tan anymore (I haven't in a long time) and I'm not interested in "bronzing" my legs. The shoes I want to wear with a dress will put blisters on my feet if I don't wear hose, so that's another issue.

Anyway, I think that your older ladies generally wear pantyhose, and the younger women don't.

At least, that is what I see nowadays.

Dawn

1 mom found this helpful

I.X.

answers from Los Angeles on

I can tell you they don't much in CA. But Chicago may be a different story.

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