Pantyhose: To Wear Or Not To Wear?

* This post was updated for 2013. Click here.*

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That is the question. I Despise pantyhose! Yes, with a capital D! Why am I bringing this up?

As usual, I'm doing some online job searching and reading career related articles. I found an interesting one asking "Should You Wear Panty Hose to a Job Interview?"

My first thought is "yes" even though I hate them in real life. I usually don't see many comments on Alison's Job Searching Blog, but this post generated 38 comments.

No doubt it's a very hot summer topic. Below are a few of the comments.

"I hate panty hose, but I think it’s important to look professional when interviewing for any office-based job. Women with very tan, smooth and unblemished legs, and shoes that cover much of the foot, can probably get away with not wearing hose, as it can be hard to tell the difference. With a pants suit, a woman can wear trouser socks."

"While I hate them, however I would wear pantyhose to an interview. The only other time I wear them is for formal business events. I think the pantyhose rift is generational. Many professional women over 50 have a hard time understanding why women under 50 detest some of their antiquated mid century ideas about a woman’s “professional dress”."

"Who wears a dress or skirt to an interview these days anyway? I say pant suits and trouser socks all the way!"

"Believe it or not, there are companies where slacks are not allowed for women and they are required to wear panty hose - year round. On a hot day (it is 105 in OKC today), I have great compassion for them. But, as mentioned in an earlier email, when in Rome - - do as the Romans. I saw 50 a long time ago and I can tell you no woman over 45 should wear a skirt at/above her knees without hose. Longer skirt - - no problem. But gravity wins and it’s first conquest is your knees!!! I know."

"As a man who works in an office environment I have grown up with strong gender roles. Not to sound like I am 90 years old, I am 31, but I believe in a man who wears a suit and a woman who either wairs a pant suit or a blouse and skirt with hosiery. Many women from a young age detest wearing pantyhose because they feel it is an uncomfortable garment, but as another woman already wrote, stay ups, or thigh highs as they are called in my neck of the woods, are a perfectly suitable alternative. A classic garter belt with stockings may revive imagery of something out of a steamy novelette, but also works around the office. Although some women may feel that only the old women around the office wear nylons, I believe it does look much more professional than bare legged women I see interning during the summer walking around in flip flops. I will admit, that as a man, and even though there shoouldnt be room for this around the office, I feel a women’s legs look much better in hosiery, than not. But thats just a personal opinion."

"All the men commenting on this should be required to wear pantyhose for one day before they are allowed to speak. Otherwise, you just sound like misogynist [d------]. This is a cultural problem that needs to be overcome. Why are you assessing a woman’s legs in the workplace anyways? Personally, I am not opposed to looking nice in the office and wearing the occasional skirt. But as a young professional, the idea of wearing pantyhose to work makes me want to gag, and furthermore, I think in a progressive workplace it makes you appear really out of touch and more importantly - weird as hell."

"Pantyhose are SO tacky and out-of-fashion that I’d immediately look askance if an applicant did wear them! Tights if the weather is inclement, sure, but nude pantyhose? Awful. Gross. I’d rather wear a paper sack. It isn’t 1993, people. Pantyhose are no longer worn, and wearing them makes you look like a giant dorky idiot. I guess if you’re working for a phenomenally conservative place in the midwest somewhere you might need them, but otherwise, ditch the nylons. For the love of god PLEASE."

Some very interesting comments. For me personally, I like to wear warm cotton tights in the fall, winter, and into the first few chilly days of spring. But once it warms up, I prefer bare legs. I remember during law school, when we were deciding which rotation to choose, one of the benefits of being in school during the summer instead of on co-op, was not having to wear pantyhose. And it was a definite plus!

I agree that this might be a generational issue. What do you think?

*Updated 7/16/2013* I've revisited this topic with a new blog post here.

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