kamahinaohoku

ira-

parisnow

I live in the Midwest, Chicago area. Formal event with closed toe no strap-nylons. Sheer and probably the color nearest your own skin tone for this time of year. I hate nylons so when I do have to wear them, I go to Victoria's Secret and get stockings with a thin satin - no lace - garter belt. Keep the fingers off the keypad Ira.

elaine

Formal in the fall and winter implies a certain dress code, it's not a summer barbecue. The black chiffon dress is implying you're complying with the code.
To finish the look imo wear hose, black sheer, 'sandalfoot' (no foot definition on the hose).
If you'd prefer not, then don't.

fairoakschris

You know all this is great if you tan. I'm a red head with WHITE legs that never tan. Nylons, stockings are a must for me. The older I've gotten the less I really worry about it, but for special events I always wear nylons/stockings.

I prayed that my kids wouldn't have the same problem I have. Fortunately they have their father's tannable skin. They never wear nylons.

Now if you don't want to wear nylons, that fake tan stuff might work. Only make sure it doesn't come out a shade of orange that makes you look like you've got carrots for legs.

NYCTravelSnob

<i>&quot;Nylons..To wear or not to wear?&quot;</i>

Are you a woman?

grandmere

Donna Karan's &quot;Nudes&quot; are great when you want pantyhose that are practically invisible, yet look better than bare legs, esp. in cold weather.

Suki

Most everyone seems to be in agreement that the OP should wear nylons for a finished look. I wonder if as my teenage girls get older they will change their minds and wear nylons. As it is, no matter how cold it is outside or what the occasion, they will not wear them. Is this the beginning of a sea change in the nylon industry?

elaine

In answer to a question up above, in the USA, 'tights' are usually considered to be thicker opaque hose + panty, winter leg wear. They can come in a variety of colors and textures.
In the UK, 'tights' are I believe what we in the US called 'panty hose'.
Stockings are for the leg but without the panty, you need another undergarment to hold them up.
Then there are knee-high stockings, for wearing under trousers ( I avoided using the word 'pants' which is another Anglo-American linguistic confusion.)

kleeblatt

Thanks Elaine. Are you saying that stockings only work with garter belts? That would mean Scarlett, RufusTFirefly, Fairoakschris and, of course, Parisnow all use with garter belts.

Wow! And the only time I used a garter belt was at my wedding. And I don't even have that anymore.

RufusTFirefly

I haven't worn a garter belt since that very strange night in Tokyo 31 years ago.

elaine

Rufus, too much information.

Stockings need something to hold them up, either foundation garments, or garter belts, or garters, or elastic at the top.

parisnow

Elaine are you suggesting garters went out in the 1800's. I've tried the thigh highs but they tend to fall down to my knees midway through the night. I just find pantyhose to be too uncomfortable.

elaine

I am not suggesting anything about garters, but thanks for asking.
I was describing options. Beyond that, I have a feeling that there are other message boards that could more satisfyingly describe the details of underwear.

CatFancier

I'm assuming your dress is a short one?? If so, think you would look more &quot;finished&quot; with SOME type of stocking. I'd probably go with black, but nude would be fine too. Somehow, goosebumps on bare legs doesn't seem all that attractive!

suze

If you are young with great legs, smooth and slighly tan, going to that Sex in the City look, then no nylons will be fine. If you are &quot;of a certain age&quot; please spring for smokey colored stockings.

wtggirl

Thanks ira....I'm glad I could amuse you with my misspelling. I have a knack for that. One better....when I was planning trip for Hawaii a few years back, I emailed my Mom about the area in Maui to stay in. I liked the Kaanapali area due to it's convenience to Lahaina. &quot;Lahaina is where all the fairies leave to go to the neighboring islands&quot;. It wasn't until her very funny response that I realized. I type 80 wpm and my brain lags way behind, but it can be funny.

breathe

Ok, I am 45 and a size 8. My legs are fine, no spider veins or anything. I did buy this stuff called &quot;The big skinny&quot;. It makes you look like you have a slight tan, but here is my next question....If I decide to wear nylons, and they would only be sheer and as close to my leg color as possible, how do I prevent my closed toe heel shoe with no strap from slipping and sliding everywhere?

Marianna

Breathe, you will look great at your event with your close to skin color sheer hosiery with a little tan showing through! I think they sell inserts for shoes which hold your foot in place so they don't slip and slide. If I can find out the name of the product or where to get them (my sister used them recently), I will post it here.

suze

breathe, That's what I was wondering before but I couldn't figure out how to describe it... If the heel is open without a strap behind (i.e., a &quot;slide&quot I don't understand how your shoes will stay on if you wear nylons with them.

CatFancier

I've seen that product too, an insole to place where the ball of the foot rests. Could it be Dr. Sholl's?