Feels like I'm losing my roots.

[Maria 60]

For some reason it was a sad feeling. I was cleaning the house yesterday wearing a jean skirt and fem flower tank top. At one point I felt the smoothness of my legs rubbing together and realized I wasn't wearing pantyhose. I sat down for a second and thought back and I couldn't remember the last time I wore a pair of pantyhose and I have been dressing a lot lately. It gave me a sad feeling, the pantyhose and slip are my roots to my dressing. My first memory of any dressing was when I was young and sharing room with my slob sister who left a pair of pantyhose on my bed head board that my curiosity hit and followed by picking up one of her many slips that were on the floor.
No matter how hot it was outside I would be wearing pantyhose under and always my first item on was always the pantyhose and would never consider dressing without them. Realizing lately I'm dressing more casual and relaxing with more cotton or jean skirts. I felt like I let some of my roots go that lead me to where I am today. I guess we all change but strangely enough I never would have thought I would dress without pantyhose and slips and now it's been months since I wore either one. I guess I've changed and didn't even realize but feeling like I'm letting my past go. It maybe be crazy but I wanted to share this strange feeling.

[Michaela Jane]

I have half a dozen pairs of pantyhose and also haven't worn any for many months. Mind you, I live in North Carolina where, today it's expected to be almost 90f (32c), so for me anyway, it's too warm for pantyhose. I imagine it's going to be another couple of months before I get them out of the drawer.

[Raychel]

Pantyhose have always been a huge part of my dressing.
As I get older I find it is not as easy to put them on.
Sadly I don't wear them as often now.
I guess I really need to do some stretches so I can get back into them.

[bridget thronton]

Everyone evolves - I moved from pantyhose to thigh highs to bare legs in the summer and now I have move to compression socks and stockings even in the summer (open toe stockings sort of work with sandals). I will return to slip wearing in the fall.

[Marketa]

You've evolved, that's natural. Also if you live in a warm area, that might be the reason you didn't have them on for a while. But once real autumn hits, you'll slip in like before.

Enjoy, where you are now, Maria.

[Joanie CD]

Like many of you, my first crossdressing experiences included pantyhose. After all, they and bras are unequivocally female. Over the decades, when I dressed, it always included pantyhose. One reason was that it covered up any blemishes or scrapes on my legs, and my minimal leg hair, since I never shaved back in the day. Dark hose or tights were my favorites for this reason. I usually didn't wear nude or tan pantyhose when I went out, although I did wear it when I was dressing at home. I think for many of us, we grew up in a time (the 60s and 70s) when women from high school on wore pantyhose all the time, even with jeans or dress pants. Depending on our ages, our girlfriends, and then wives wore them. So, it became imprinted on us that to be a woman, you wore pantyhose, if not every day, then often.

After I came out to my wonderful wife 5 years ago or so, I found that I wanted to dress to blend, since I was able to go out almost any time I wanted. The first time I went out in a skirt without hose felt weird, but now it's normal. In cold weather, I always wear tights or sheer black hose, but unless it's cool, I am a bare-legged gal. I almost never wear dresses, since I am overweight and do not like how they look. I do have one casual Lularoe dress, though, that I think is presentable and my wife agreed that it was. I wore it to the CVS the other day to pick up a prescription, and I loved the feeling of nothing under the dress except my bra and underwear. These days I wear casual skirts all the time, without hose, and I mix in capris and jeans, since that's what GGs are wearing. In other words, I match what GGs are wearing by season, and try to match GGs my age, not twenty-somethings. OTOH, I never want to look like an "old lady" with a shapeless dress and remedial shoes. I love my Teva sandals that let my toenail polish show, and my girly sneakers.

I plan to go back to the opera this fall and winter, and that will call for dressing up, as nicely as I can with my wardrobe, and for sure I'll wear black hose and at least kitten heels, with a fancier skirt/top and nice jewelry.

[NancySue]

In my youth, hose were my initiation into our world. I can still remember the wonderful feelings that still exist to the present. Like Raychel, pantyhose are no more, but regardless of the weather, thigh highs are worn most days, and some nights. My wonderful, supportive wife gave them up. Not me. They?re still #1, followed very closely but my assortment of bras and panties. I wouldn?t fret over your issue, it?s probably has something to do with the PF. Enjoy.

[Georgina]

I have been wearing stockings and slips for 60 years and I do not intend to stop.

[docrobbysherry]

I'm over 80. So, I know a LOT of folks who live in the past, Maria. They keep telling amusing stories about me and them in the past.:)

I can't even recall most of them!:doh:

I seem to focus on what I or Sherry's doing now, later today, or tomorrow!:battingeyelashes:

Why don't u just pull on some hose when u feel the need and move on?:thumbsup:

[Debbie Denier]

I also dont wear hose in the Summer. As soon as the he weather gets colder. The hose and tights will return .

[AmyJordan]

My wife says an outfit isn't complete without either pantyhose or stockings and that is why she insists I wear them at all times funny how the same rule doesn't apply to her though.

[Stephanie47]

The first hosiery I wore was my mother's traditional garter stockings attached to one of her open bottom girdles. My in-home preference is still stockings held up with a garter girdle; both of which seem to have lost shelf space at the local malls. I do wear pantyhose when out for an evening stroll as a matter of modesty if the situation were to arise. Right now, although I do have the opportunity for hosiery, I an sans hosiery in a long short sleeve dress, slip and all the proper undergarments. On the plus side I do not have hair follicles on my thighs and calves, so sans hosiery still gives me a clean shaven feel. Hosiery only serves to conceal my spider veins.

[Julie Frisky]

I am at the stage in my journey that pantyhose and stockings are a must, also I have a lot of scarring on one leg from a motorcycle accident so pantyhose help with covering the injury but maybe you as some said are evolving and pantyhose and slips aren't as important at the moment but in time you will probably wear them again and enjoy the feeling once more.

Julie xxx

[Dianna_ericka]

Hi Maria,
My story is attached to Pantyhose, I am a big lover of this garment. I know that current fashion for women is about bare legs, and I am hoping to change soon back again.
I?ve been following your stories and I know that you were about Pantyhose as me, and it breaks my hart that you are changing this part.
I am an inside-home CD, if I would go out to the real world, probably would want to blend and this mean no nylons at all.
I wear Pantyhose everyday under my male clothes, even I sleep wearing them, I adore the feeling and how my legs look while wearing them.
Enjoy life.

[Meg]

I too adore hose. I do not wear pantyhose in the summer, but just love the open bottom girdle/garters with stockings. But when I have been out of the house in a skirt, I did go bare legged this spring and summer. But when dressing in the house, they are a must for this gurl. I was so jealous of the girls wearing their shorts with pantyhose back in the 70's. Daisy Duke certainly looked good with that style. But yes, it has gone the way of the DoDo bird. Even the manufacturers are acknowledging that men are the majority of their customers. I say, bring back the hose. Meg

[alwayshave]

Maria, I adore hose, but also find that I am wearing them less often.

[chrissy111]

Going out in the summer I feel it's easier to blend in while not wearing hose. A tan smooth leg looks great in the summer heat.

[CDMargret]

Yes it's hot in my neck of the wood. Michigan. I do find myself not wearing them in this weather. Even the thigh highs can be warm. I went with the tennis dress look. White Ked's with white nylon ankle socks. Pleated flowing tennis skirts and tennis dresses. Great summer looks. Very excited for the fall and cooooooler weather....SILKY TIGHTS are on the horizon. Enjoy today. No worries.

[Natalie5004]

Hose is a great look. But these days it is not for all outings. Short skirts need hose most of the time though.

[Nikkilovesdresses]

Maria, perhaps you feel you're being disloyal to your female persona, that forgetting the symbols of your roots is a form of betrayal- something like that? Why else would the realisation bring a feeling of sadness? It sounds deeper than simple nostalgia.

But we all move on, don't we? To me, your letting go of the habitual wearing of pantyhose sounds more like moving towards authentic dressing, rather than away from it. You're living out the same process as several generations of girls since the 60s have before you, the letting go of foundation garments because they are constrictive and uncomfortable. You mention you were wearing a jean skirt and flower tank top when you had the realisation, so it's hardly as if you've rejected the act of dressing and being feminine, you're just doing it more comfortably.

And that sounds rather groovy.

[JohnH]

I live in the DFW area of Texas, where it's routine for highs to exceed 38 degrees C/100 degrees F. In those conditions I do not want to wear any kind of hosiery, let alone pantyhose. So it's slightly above the knee high dresses and sandals for me while the heat lasts.

John

[Leohose]

Pantyhose and tights are always a comfort and with leotard a nice hug squeeze too

[CynthiaD]

Don’t worry Maria, the pantyhose are still out there. Waiting for you.

[BLUE ORCHID]

I am 81 and I still am able to put my pantyhose on,

I don't feel like i am dressed without them,

They can have my Pantyhose when they cut them off of my cpld dead Body,

[JulieC]

Pantyhose were my roots too, but it hasn't faded for me in the slightest in the many decades since childhood and my first wearing. I've been en femme without pantyhose, and enjoyed it. But, it always feels most complete with pantyhose. I can't imagine that ever changing. If it's changed for you, great! The target isn't pantyhose, it's happiness!

This did make me think of a thought that crossed my mind the other evening though. I was getting dressed for bed (which means pantyhose, bra, forms, and nightgown) and had just put on my pantyhose (and nothing else yet). I thought, "A moment ago I was a man without clothes on, now I feel like the woman inside me is here without clothes on" It's like the pantyhose are the foundation of my femme self.

[Traci H]

Finally, the weather here in the upper Midwest US has started to cool. In the very near future I?ll be able to wear my pantyhose comfortably once again. It?s been a long hot summer. Of course to each their own when it comes to pantyhose. I need to wear support hose anyways, might as well have fun in the process.

[Cheryl T]

Things certainly change.
When I began dressing and discovered hosiery I wouldn't dream of wearing anything but a skirt or dress and heels and hose were a must. While I still adore hosiery I find I wear it less and less because my style has changed. I no longer dress like a model but more like the average woman and in my area they don't wear skirts or dresses except for special occasions.
Perhaps maturing has allowed me to feel more at home being average and less in need of feeling "exotic"?