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Are Pantyhose a Must for Professional Women?

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kittybean

kittybean

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My mom always told me that, if I wear a skirt or dress to work in a formal environment, pantyhose or tights are required. I am a young lawyer (age 25), and I wear a suit to work every day. I absolutely despise pantyhose, but I usually do wear them with skirt suits. Where I work, about half the women wear pantyhose or tights and half don''t (even more don''t wear them in the summer, actually). Most of my female lawyer friends my age never wear pantyhose (even on interviews!), but a lot of them don''t appear in court, either. I would love to ditch pantyhose forever, but I''m not sure if I should.

My question: are pantyhose a requirement for professional women these days? What do you think when you see a twenty-something woman wearing a skirt suit and heels with no pantyhose or tights? Does it reflect poorly on a woman if she doesn''t wear hose with her skirt to an interview? What about to work daily?

Hmm--I realize that''s a lot of questions. Basically, I''m just looking for your opinion on the place of pantyhose in today''s workplace.
 
I don''t wear them because they''re just not comfortable and I don''t tend to wear skirts (and I definitely don''t wear dresses). I guess I could see wearing them (the knee high kind) if necessary though.
 
I was told by both a manager in lingerie and also by another relative (professional $200K+) per year that panty hose are out-of-style.
 
i think it depends on the corporate culture. i don''t know anyone my age who wears pantyhose. however, i do know that at some more conservative corporations, it is still a requirement for ladies showing their legs. so i''d say it depends on where you work.
 
I cannot imagine that in a conservative environment bare legs would be OK. If you''re wearing a suit with skirt, it would not look very polished at all.

And as a nearly 37 year old corporate woman, if I were interviewing a young woman in a suit with no hose, I''d think she doesn''t know how to err on the side of caution and wear hose for interviews. They''re cheap, for goodness sake. Wear them to interviews!

As for work daily, depends on the type of work. I do think most women these days don''t wear it and it doesn''t raise any eyebrows in a casual work environment. I work for a big company and a conservative boss and for big meetings, I wear it even though I detest it. However, I get around it most days by wearing pantsuits (which is acceptable). Then I can just wear knee high ones with my heels.
 
I think it absolutely depends on your law firm culture and/or local court etiquette. I''m a 28 year old lawyer (was practicing in Chicago, just moved though!). I regularly appeared in court and in the summer months, most women would not wear pantyhose in state court. Women would even wear open toed shoes and sometimes not even a jacket. Federal court however, was different. I wouldn''t appear in Federal court without hose or knee-highs, even in a pant suit where you could barely see the top of my feet.

I worked in a smaller firm and it was fairly casual, although we were not business casual. When I was there, I would wear bare legs and feet, whether in a suit or not if I wasn''t in court that day. Most of my friends that work in large firms also would wear skirts without hose in the summer. One of my friends that is a prosecutor said she absolutely wears hose everyday, skirt suit, pant suit, in court or not. Apparently that''s the norm in her office (although I have other friends that are states'' attorneys in a different county, and they do go bare-legged!).

So this is a useless answer obviously, haha! I would just say look around at the other women who are close to your age in your office and see what they wear. If women are wearing bare legs in court, then go for it yourself!
 
Hmml, for interviews, yep I wear them, best to err on the side of caution.

Other than that, depends on the corporate culture, if senior management women wear them and I am aspiring to take on that role, I would wear them, if no-one hardly does, then depends what i am doing that day, who I am meeting ect.

The other things is climate, where you are working, in a hot humid climate, corporations tend to dress less formally as it is more practical, however there will be other subtle rules about what is appropriate and what is not.
 
I wear pants almost every day, but I would think that tights should be worn with skirts.
 
I ususally don''t wear skirts or dresses. Where I work I dress nice, but I am not sure if what I wear woud be appropriate for you. In the summer I wear open toed high heels with dress pants and a nice blouse. I make sure that my toes are manicured and the shoes are not casual by any stretch. When I see someone with open toed shoes and hose on I think it looks silly. When I wear my regular heels I wear knee highs because I despise pantyhose! I can''t wear them. I don''t even think they were designed to be worn. Maybe I am buying the wrong size or something, but the crotch of the darned things never stays where it is supposed to. By lunch it has wiggled down and by 2pm they are impossible. That is why I don''t wear skirts or dresses because if I did then I do think you are required to wear them. To me wearing a dress or skirt without pantyhose is casual and that is not what you are trying to reflect, especially where you work.
 
I wear them on interviews but that's it! Almost every woman I see does not wear pantyhose. However, I don't work in a super conservative field (I'm in academic research) so I'm sure that makes a major difference. I don't even wear a full suit on interviews and I would probably feel overdressed if I did. Can you ask someone in your office? Maybe an older woman who's pretty high up?

ETA I would definitely wear them on an interview-always best to be more conservative in interviews I think.
 
I never wear pantyhose and haven't in about 10+ years... I am 34 and have been working in some form of corporate since I was 17.

I think it really depends on (a) your industry and (b) your geographical location. In something like a professional law firm, I can def see pantyhose be a staple and a mental requirement. In areas like the East Coast, they are far more traditional and conservative than we are here in California and much of the West Coast. When Greg moved here from the East Coast he had a closet full of suits, and some of them were three-piece with a vest! He was appalled at the casual nature of 'corduroy slacks and a button down with no tie' here. Now 10 years later he has embraced it wholeheartedly.

My last few interviews have consisted of me wearing something like slacks and a sweater and low heels or flats. If I wore a skirt and sweater. I would not have worn pantyhose. I think I own maybe one button down and I hate it. Now if I had on some really fancy suit, I can see pantyhose kind of 'finishing' the outfit along with heels. But I don't dress like that in general and my industry and geographical location doesn't require it.
 
For the past 10 years, I have practiced law in a Southern California firm that still requires suits Monday through Thursday. I have never worn a skirt suit to work without stockings. (When I was pregnant, I occasionally wore a long dress without stockings, but I figured no one would comment then.) Over the past few years, I have transitioned to wearing pant suits most days to avoid stockings and high heels. However, if I have to go to court or am scheduled to meet with new clients or existing clients I know are conservative, then I wear a skirt, heels ands stockings.

I noticed this summer that a few of our younger associates were wearing skirt suits without stockings. It didn't look terrible, since these women have tanned, toned legs (so it wasn't as glaringly obvious their legs were bare as it would be with my pale legs), but it also did not look entirely professional. I can assure you these women wore stockings when they interviewed, and I would expect them to do so for court appearances or important client meetings.

On a related note, one of my male colleagues called me last week to ask the appropriate maximum heel height for a professional woman. I told him I probably wouldn't go over 3 1/2" (actually, less for me since I am very tall). He said I might want to say something to our newest associate, who showed up on her first day wearing 5" black patent stiletto "stripper heels." (His words, not mine -- I didn't think to ask if she was wearing stockings.)
 
Date: 9/28/2009 5:12:35 PM
Author:kittybean
My mom always told me that, if I wear a skirt or dress to work in a formal environment, pantyhose or tights are required. I am a young lawyer (age 25), and I wear a suit to work every day. I absolutely despise pantyhose, but I usually do wear them with skirt suits. Where I work, about half the women wear pantyhose or tights and half don''t (even more don''t wear them in the summer, actually). Most of my female lawyer friends my age never wear pantyhose (even on interviews!), but a lot of them don''t appear in court, either. I would love to ditch pantyhose forever, but I''m not sure if I should.

My question: are pantyhose a requirement for professional women these days? What do you think when you see a twenty-something woman wearing a skirt suit and heels with no pantyhose or tights? Does it reflect poorly on a woman if she doesn''t wear hose with her skirt to an interview? What about to work daily?

Hmm--I realize that''s a lot of questions. Basically, I''m just looking for your opinion on the place of pantyhose in today''s workplace.
Click to expand...
KB...show me the leggs.
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Date: 9/28/2009 6:04:04 PM
Author: Kay

On a related note, one of my male colleagues called me last week to ask the appropriate maximum heel height for a professional woman. I told him I probably wouldn''t go over 3 1/2'' (actually, less for me since I am very tall). He said I might want to say something to our newest associate, who showed up on her first day wearing 5'' black patent stiletto ''stripper heels.'' (His words, not mine -- I didn''t think to ask if she was wearing stockings.)
Click to expand...

Yikes!! I wouldn''t go over 3" (even though I''m short) because I would be miserable!
7.gif
 
I agree with what Mira said, it really depends the region of the country you are in and how conservative of an environment you are working in.

In the hospital I have been working at in Southern CA, almost none of the women under 40 wear pantyhose unless they are wearing a suit complete with a jacket. The only time that happens is for an interview or a BIG presentation (like Grand Rounds).
 
I agree with those that have said wear stockings or pantyhose. I''ve met with a few attorneys in my life and have definitely paid attention to what they wore.

But I''m curious why you think age has anything to do with how you dress in the corporate world?
 
Date: 9/28/2009 6:48:25 PM
Author: elle_chris
I agree with those that have said wear stockings or pantyhose. I''ve met with a few attorneys in my life and have definitely paid attention to what they wore.

But I''m curious why you think age has anything to do with how you dress in the corporate world?
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Because younger people think that they are entitled to be different.

(That was my attempt to sound like an old fart, and for the record, I''m kidding!!)
 
Date: 9/28/2009 6:19:54 PM
Author: MagsyMay

Date: 9/28/2009 6:04:04 PM
Author: Kay

On a related note, one of my male colleagues called me last week to ask the appropriate maximum heel height for a professional woman. I told him I probably wouldn''t go over 3 1/2'' (actually, less for me since I am very tall). He said I might want to say something to our newest associate, who showed up on her first day wearing 5'' black patent stiletto ''stripper heels.'' (His words, not mine -- I didn''t think to ask if she was wearing stockings.)
Click to expand...

Yikes!! I wouldn''t go over 3'' (even though I''m short) because I would be miserable!
7.gif
Click to expand...
5 inches, lol! Dumb.
 
Will someone explain to me the point of pantyhose? They're sheer (to give the impression of a bare leg?), uncomfortable, and constantly snagging/running. Why, then, are they required in certain work environments? Is a woman's bare leg under a skirt that's an appropriate length for the office really that scandalous, or am I unaware of a greater purpose?
 
Most fashion magazines these days seem to say that pantyhose is outdated. I dont know about most corporate environments, but I can say I saw a woman
wearing pantyhose at a supermarket and she looked so way outdated. I think the key to not looking old in pantyhose anymore to to make sure that you
wear the higher end stocking and not the kind from the grocery store. There is a vast texture difference. There is also products that you can apply to your legs
to give them a more polished look. The stockings should be very form fitting and silk like in texture. Bagging at the ankles and the beige or pinky beige look
is a huge no-no. Come on, girls you know what I mean........
 
Date: 9/28/2009 6:48:25 PM
Author: elle_chris
I agree with those that have said wear stockings or pantyhose. I've met with a few attorneys in my life and have definitely paid attention to what they wore.


But I'm curious why you think age has anything to do with how you dress in the corporate world?
Click to expand...

The only reason that pantyhose are expected in certain corporate cultures is because we've been conditioned to expect them...I honestly don't see the look as any more polished or professional (especially since so many of the colors they come in are hideous and don't look anything like "nude" or "suntan" on 99% of people). Styles change, and it's often--though not always--younger people who drive the change. Until fairly recently, female attorneys were forbidden to wear pantsuits in the courtroom in my city, and some judges would kick attorneys out for wearing blue shirts under their suit jackets. These things have changed at the urging of newer-at-the-time attorneys who didn't want to blindly accept the status quo, because there really isn't any good justification for those rules. Similarly, I do think that stockings are gradually on their way out. At a government agency where I interned a couple summers ago, none of the female attorneys wore stockings unless they had to go to court. A lot of firms tend to be stuffier.

I do wear stockings when I wear skirt suits to interviews, and on the first day or two of work. But I have yet to work in an office where stockings were required (either pre-law-school or during my internships). I'd be very unhappy working in an environment where stockings were required, and even though it probably wouldn't prevent me from taking the job (especially in this economy), I'd be looking for a more relaxed environment as soon as was prudent.
 
There arent for me, I work at home
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I have been out of the "real" professional world for sometime, the company I work for has a "casual" work policy and we have been able to wear jeans to work for years...but I do remember back in the day I always wore hose...hated them, but had to wear them.
 
Panty hose were required at the last place I worked. Our dress code was very strict in regards to skirt length, heel size etc.. Personally, I always wear panty hose with business attire. I have one brand I wear with a color that looks very natural. Of course they will look bad if you do not wear the right color.

Some women with lots veins, cellulite etc. should wear hose
27.gif
.
 
Date: 9/28/2009 7:15:38 PM
Author: Octavia

Date: 9/28/2009 6:48:25 PM
Author: elle_chris
I agree with those that have said wear stockings or pantyhose. I''ve met with a few attorneys in my life and have definitely paid attention to what they wore.


But I''m curious why you think age has anything to do with how you dress in the corporate world?
Click to expand...

The only reason that pantyhose are expected in certain corporate cultures is because we''ve been conditioned to expect them...I honestly don''t see the look as any more polished or professional (especially since so many of the colors they come in are hideous and don''t look anything like ''nude'' or ''suntan'' on 99% of people). Styles change, and it''s often--though not always--younger people who drive the change. Until fairly recently, female attorneys were forbidden to wear pantsuits in the courtroom in my city, and some judges would kick attorneys out for wearing blue shirts under their suit jackets. These things have changed at the urging of newer-at-the-time attorneys who didn''t want to blindly accept the status quo, because there really isn''t any good justification for those rules. Similarly, I do think that stockings are gradually on their way out. At a government agency where I interned a couple summers ago, none of the female attorneys wore stockings unless they had to go to court. A lot of firms tend to be stuffier.

I do wear stockings when I wear skirt suits to interviews, and on the first day or two of work. But I have yet to work in an office where stockings were required (either pre-law-school or during my internships). I''d be very unhappy working in an environment where stockings were required, and even though it probably wouldn''t prevent me from taking the job (especially in this economy), I''d be looking for a more relaxed environment as soon as was prudent.
Click to expand...
If you''re not wearing stockings or hose with a skirt, you might as well just wear shorts to work. That''s how I see it. It just doesn''t look professional to me.

Regarding young people, I''m in my mid 30''s. My company has 20 somethings, and a few needed to be told that dress down Friday doesn''t mean "sneakers". Not sure if it''s because of their age, but never heard of this happening with those that are older.
 
Date: 9/28/2009 6:48:25 PM
Author: elle_chris
I agree with those that have said wear stockings or pantyhose. I''ve met with a few attorneys in my life and have definitely paid attention to what they wore.

But I''m curious why you think age has anything to do with how you dress in the corporate world?
Click to expand...

Good question--I actually don''t work in the corporate world at all, but I do appear in court regularly. I mentioned my age in my original post because I wanted to point out that many women my age are eschewing pantyhose, and it seems to be a growing trend that''s moving upward by age group. I think the perception of stockings'' propriety belongs to an older generation, and I feel sandwiched between the two in my current work environment. It has been the cultural expectation for years that women wear stockings with dresses or skirts, and I know many women who grew up with that expectation will always wear hose or tights, no matter what the acceptable dress code might shift to be.


My mom and grandmother also wear hose or tights to cover imperfections on their legs; they''ve both made it clear to me that they wouldn''t wear them as much if they were "young with nice legs" again. I wanted to point out that this wasn''t an issue for me--I feel like my legs are fine.


Sometimes it''s hard to determine where to draw the line: do I look stuffy with sheer, nude-color stockings, or will I look inappropriate without them? Women''s professional clothing is difficult to figure out sometimes because there''s so much variation. I tend toward the more conservative side (hence my ongoing relationship with pantyhose), but sometimes I feel I should dress a little more "my age," i.e. wear what more women in my age group are wearing. (On days when I can''t handle putting on stockings, I will wear pantsuits, which are totally acceptable in the courts where I work.)


I''m with EBree in not seeing the purpose of pantyhose, especially sheer hose that''s supposed to look like you''re not wearing any stockings at all. It obviously does not achieve that goal since everyone can tell if a woman is wearing it or not. I think it has to be the scandal factor. Lack of stockings goes into the same wardrobe-faux-pas category as plunging tops, unbuttoned blouses, shorts, and short skirts: too much skin to be considered professional (which begs the question: why are they so thin and sheer?!). Why else would anyone wear hose in the middle of summer? In winter, tights are a necessity, but I usually go for something much more substantial than pantyhose if I actually want to keep warm.

Ugh. I don''t even know if that all made sense. At any rate, I really appreciate all your opinions! They are helping me see that there''s still a reason to put on those darn things in the morning [sigh].
 
Date: 9/28/2009 7:09:13 PM
Author: luv2sparkle
Most fashion magazines these days seem to say that pantyhose is outdated. I dont know about most corporate environments, but I can say I saw a woman
wearing pantyhose at a supermarket and she looked so way outdated. I think the key to not looking old in pantyhose anymore to to make sure that you
wear the higher end stocking and not the kind from the grocery store. There is a vast texture difference. There is also products that you can apply to your legs
to give them a more polished look. The stockings should be very form fitting and silk like in texture. Bagging at the ankles and the beige or pinky beige look
is a huge no-no. Come on, girls you know what I mean........
Click to expand...
Yes, the type of stockings makes a big difference. I do not wear "nude" or "suntan" stockings. Most of my suits are black or gray, a couple are brown or taupe. I wear sheer, well-fitted, black, off-black or taupe stockings to coordinate with my outfits. Ill-fitted, rough-textured pantyhose in fake skin tones look matronly. I actually think a sheer, silky black stocking is quite attractive with a black skirt.

I would agree that wearing pantyhose with all dresses, especially light summer dresses, does look dated, and is more likely to be done by women who feel their legs need a little help due to age or other factors. However, in business situations where a suit is appropriate, so are stockings.
 
I hate hose. It''s always so hard to find a "nude" color to match my skin tone, so I prefer to go no hose. That being said, I would wear hose with a skirt suit if I was going to an interview. On the other hand, my skirt suits are all dark and I''d be wearing dark hose. But, I always interview in a pant suit anyway. I never wear nude hose if I can help it. If I do, I''m wearing tall boots.

I live in the Bay Area, so it''s a pretty casual environment. People don''t typically wear hose, and in some areas, it''s down right impractical. That doesn''t mean women here don''t dress up - we certainly do, but we just don''t wear hose with skirts or dresses. The worse is ugly dark tan hose on people with non-tanned skin. Ewwww...
 
Not having read the other replies yet ....

I wouldn''t wear pantyhose if you put a gun to my head. I have difficulty thinking of anything less, a) comfortable, or b) sexy/attractive (and I do think of this as a "me" thing before anything else).

Thigh-highs, on the other hand? Give you the same look, while skipping out on aaaaaaaaaaaall the downsides. Those, I don with a light heart. And they *do* look much more professional than bare legs. So ... may I recommend Victoria''s Secret? Good quality on the thigh-highs ....
 
I believe they are.

If I wear a skirt to work (very rarely) I usually put on my pantyhose.
 
If I''m going to be in court, or mediating in the Judge''s chambers, I wear pantyhose with a skirt suit.
 
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