I know this is a travel forum, but this is the only chat room I ever go to so forgive me for those of you rolling your eyes. I am traveling to Chicago next week to attend a fancy evening party. I am wearing a black chiffon dress and closed toe slip on heels with no strap. Is it OK to not wear nylons as long as my legs are shaved and lotioned up?

It depends. Is this a "formal" event? If so, wear hose. Is it in a "formal" venue? If so, wear hose. Do you have drop dead gorgeous legs? If so, do whatever you want! It won't matter.

Personally, I made a vow years ago never to wear pantyhose again. And I've stuck with it.

But, in your case, I agree with Iregeo.

Maybe because I'm older, I say no, no, for a finished look in fall and winter , wear hose.

Iregeo, I am with you. I don't even wear hose to church in the winter! But, this year I have noticed that "tights" are coming back in as well as textured, fishnet and patterned hose. I might try to find something fashionable to wear like that if I felt I needed something, as it is getting colder up that way now.

an amendment: I wear tights but for formal events I would go sheer if only for chiffon and such etheral fabrics.

ethereal....jeez this problem

Stockings..sheer black stockings with high heels and a chiffon dress.
Not wearing stockings makes the outfit look like you forgot something..

One vote for stockings; not pantyhose.

What's the difference between stockings, nylons, tights, pantyhose? Or is it all the same?

Schuler, I agree it can be quite confusing; but it will suffice to say that if they drew your attention, they are not pantyhose.

If you were talking about a sandal or open-toed shoe,or slingback,I'd say no hosiery, but with a closed back,I'd say yes.

Gee, wouldn't she get better answers if she posted this on the US forum, since she's asking about Chicago?
Oh, aren't we men lucky not to have such problems?

Hi B,

Black stockings with clocking. These were quite popular in Paris last month.

My old mum used to have several criteria for girls she didn't want me to bring home.

One was girls who wore high heels with trousers. Another was girls who didn't wear tights or stockings with shoes.
Surely putting bare sweaty feet into shoes must make for nasty smells.
Also, who wants to see blue goose-pimpled legs?

Breathe, not sure of your age, but I would never, ever, ever, ever wear nylons to a formal event. To formal events, even in Chicago in winter, I always go with bare legs (or wear a pants suit instead of a dress in the dead of Chicago winter). Nylons are so yesterday. If you MUST wear nylons (ie, your legs are less than stellar), buy a high-end designer pair with shimmer.

>Nylons are so yesterday.<

They were showing them in Paris 3 weeks ago.

Are they out of style already?

Chicago in cold weather and no hose in a formal setting sounds odd to me.

However, if you are (relatively) young, with nicely shaped, tanned legs without any spider veins, varicose veins, or scars, do what you feel comfortable doing.

Caveat, unless your appearance will have repercussions after the formal affair.

ira, I think you are right on with the fashion stockings you mentioned. But, let's not get those confused with flesh toned panty hose. Also, I agree with the poster about it depending on the shoe. An open toed sandal would be appropriate with bear legs anytime of year at a formal event. But, breathe said she is wearing a closed toe, so I would probably go with a sheer black and depending on the detail on the dress maybe a sheen or a patterned stocking would be nice. I would like to add that I have seen "tights" this fall season in fashion mags with open toed pumps, although this is not the question I thought I would throw this in!

>An open toed sandal would be appropriate with bear legs anytime of year at a formal event. <

I have seen bumper stickers declaring "Support your right to arm bears", but never one for shoes for bears.