The five things pantyhose are really good for
My recent run in with a pair of pantyhose reminded me why it is the advice of most fashion editors like Alison Deyette at Style Bakery to SKIP these torture devices. Fresh out of the package the extra-sheer black pantyhose seemed to have little picks in them. “It will be dark in there,” I thought, and kept pulling. There was a black line running all the way around my leg just above the knee. “The skirt will cover it up,” I thought, and kept pulling. Adjusting the top of the pantyhose required more pulling, because they were bunching and twisting around my thighs. “Almost there,” I thought and then RIP! A huge run down the front of the leg to the shin. The brand new pair of pantyhose went into the wastebasket, and I said a few choice words.
This is why I hate pantyhose. But, I am apparently not the only one. An article today in The Arizona Republic (free quick registration required) reports that sales of hosiery has been on the decline for over 10 years. According to the report, Hanesbrands reported a 68% drop in sales from 1995 to 2006 – from $895 million to just $290 million.
So, here is my list of the five things pantyhose are really good for.
1. Halloween – bank robber costume
2. Homemaking – mothball holder
3. Bug collecting – bug house roof
4. Crafts – stuffing for toys
5. Cleaning – buff away scuffs on your shoes
Believe it or not, there are a lot of online resources that will show you other exciting (?) things you can do with old or new pantyhose. Because Lord knows we don’t want to actually wear them!
(Shown above are Hanes: Silk Reflections Transparent Sheer To Waist Pantyhose $8.95 at barenecessities.com.)
Pantyhose, Hanes, Hanesbrands, Uses for Pantyhose
December 11th, 2006 at 5:16 pm
First, I love Hanes Silk Reflections pantyhose. Love them. So silky.
Second, I hate pantyhose. And I’ve written entries on my other blog about how much I hate them. Evidence:
Number One
Number Two
December 11th, 2006 at 10:19 pm
Thats a good list. They also make a good air filter for older cars if you ever get in a pinch. I’ve done it myself, just slip the pantyhose over your intake. Why did I have pantyhose though? That is the question.
December 12th, 2006 at 7:49 am
LOL, Bill. Well, I’m not going to ponder that question much, just thank you for the tip!
December 12th, 2006 at 4:14 pm
and for those of us in the urban sector, cut off a pair of leg on your panty hose to make a good old fashioned “do rag”.
or, when i used to wear them and have a run in two pair, cut off a leg in each pair and voila, a brand new pair. plus double tummy control.
or, but off a leg of a pair of black hose, and tie it around your head for a cute little headband. cut the leg short enough to be sure the foot isn’t dangling under your hair…
December 12th, 2006 at 4:29 pm
Good ones Tracey! Thanks!
December 27th, 2006 at 3:49 pm
My grandaughter [16yr old] she wears these Horrid thick Black opaque Tights 60 denier or something for school..i dont like tights at the best of times ,so i like nothing better than to take her Thick Black Tights and use them for floor cleaning rags.
January 30th, 2007 at 9:15 am
[...] Tights are the new bare legs January 30th, 2007 by Polly It’s amazing. What goes around comes around in the fashion world, but nothing seems to come and go as much as legwear. Back in December, I wrote “The five things pantyhose are really good for”, which did not include wearing them. At that time, there were reports that hosiery sales had been steadily falling for over 10 years. Hanesbrands were reporting a 68% sales drop in the 6 years from ‘95 to ‘06. Which would make a company droop like a saggy pair of nylons. [...]
September 4th, 2008 at 1:20 am
Here’s a reason why to wear pantyhose:
To look good. Some people appreciate the look of a woman in pantyhose, and especially in some situations, it’s classy. It’s a viable addition to the wardrobe - tights were worn by men long before the were commonly worn by women, and modern pantyhose were actually devised by a woman - unlike high heels, which were the product of Louis XIV’s short stature.
They just plain look good. I understand they’re much more comfortable these days, and if proper care is used with them and a quality brand is purchased (as opposed to gas-station or grocery store brands), along with care in proper sizing (you can’t lie to your pantyhose sizing chart - your size and weight are what they are), they should last some time.
No, I don’t work for a pantyhose company, I just happen to appreciate the way the look on a woman, and would much rather see a woman in a dress and hose or tights than in flip-flops. Have some care in the way you look to others. As a man I’m often required to wear incredibly uncomfortable get-ups to look good for friends, family, and employers, much less women, so let’s not hear that argument.
November 28th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Nice and usefull post, thanks, this is one for my bookmarks!
March 21st, 2009 at 9:17 am
So somebody found out about this finally. Nice to see that.