Reports on the death of pantyhose greatly exaggerated

[goofus]

I have been reading the threads on the decline of pantyhose sales, the death of pantyhose etc., and while I would agree that pantyhose wearing has certainly declined over the years (at least among GG's!) it hasn't disappeared entirely. Just this week I went to a local starbucks and sitting there was a nicely dressed younger woman in a skirt and black tights. Not pantyhose, but hosiery nonetheless instead of the bare leg look. Then later this week I was downtown here in my mid-sized midwestern city and saw at least 3 women wearing pantyhose in the space of a couple of hours. I think that perhaps the wearing of pantyhose has become a for-work-or special occasions only thing among GG's, but it hasn't ceased entirely, at least here in the heartland.

:2c:

Trish

[Amy Hepker]

Well it is really a big surprise that the sales are way down, but Girls just don't like wearing them anymore. How many times have you seen a punk rocker wearing hose in any way shape or form. It is really a shame.

[ArleneRaquel]

Maybe it is the CD community that is keeping the pantyhose business alive ? I wear a pair everyday or at least 9 out of 10. Maureen Pantyhose Lover

[cdeeko]

NOOOO!!!! this cannot happen I love pantyhose. Someone has to save them.:D

[tekla west]

Here I thought the punk girls singlehandedly brought back fishnets, or were they just real ripped up?

[Nike]

In his report, Paul Harvey said (paraphrase) "Pantyhose and stockings are tight and restrictive..."

That's part of the appeal :GE:

[cdeeko]

Here I thought the punk girls singlehandedly brought back fishnets, or were they just real ripped up?

1) my pionering punk sisters of both genders did not bring fishnets back alone. (hookers and strippers helped:D )

2)yeah there were also alot of ripped up hose on my punk pioneering sisters but that's because we punks are often poor. SO we have to keep using ripped clothes...hence all the safety pins.
Some call it garbage we call it fashion:heehee:

[StacyCD]

Then its hard to figure out who's buying them. For the past couple of trips to the mall I have just been watching people and the clothes they wear. Very, very few women are wearing skirts and dresses! Even the SAs in most of the department stores are wearing pants. Based on my unofficial count only 2% of women are wearing any type of skirts or dresses. Blue jeans seem to be the norm. It may be higher percentage of skirt/dress wearers in some places but in Minnesota if you want to 'stand out' wear a skirt or a dress! And it's not even cold yet--many women are still wearing flip-flops and sandals!

[ellieparsons]

Maybe it is the CD community that is keeping the pantyhose business alive ? I wear a pair everyday or at least 9 out of 10. Maureen Pantyhose Lover

I agree the the CD community is keeping pantyhose alive. Thats all i really wear, not tights, i love the way it makes your legs look just after you shaved.

[Karmen]

I love pantyhose. I can't imagine a life without them. I wear them every day under my pants almost all year, except in the summer, because it's just too warm outside. But even in the summer when I'm all dressed up, I put them on. A little warm sometimes, but since I go out in women's clothes only at night it's not to much of a problem.

[Jodi]

In his report, Paul Harvey said (paraphrase) "Pantyhose and stockings are tight and restrictive..."

That's part of the appeal :GE:

JUst how does Paul Harvey know that?

Jodi

[Karren H]

I hate PH......

Love Karren

[tightsgirl]

I hate PH......

Love Karren

Didn't you have a thread about wearing microfiber tights to work?

[Elaine Lynn]

Good thing my wife picked me up a few new pair last night at WalMart. Ill have to really stock up now.

[Jill]

Yes, it is true that women in general are wearing less hosiery. Most GG's that I talk to say they hate wearing them and some of them insist that they are out of style. With that in mind, many people might think that they are on their way out. As a personal lover and admirer of pantyhose, I can give my personal guarantee that pantyhose are not on their way out. I personally, have bought enough pairs of them to compensate for at least a dozen women that don't wear them at all.
Not to mention that there is a pretty big underground pantyhose following. I guess you could say that there are a lot of people out there that have somewhat of a fetish in that area. People like that and people like us are definitely keeping the business going. I wouldn't worry about a thing.

[Butterfly Bill]

How many times have you seen a punk rocker wearing hose in any way shape or form. It is really a shame.

I have seen that many times, but the all the times I have, the hose has had holes in them. Sometimes big ones. Deliberately.

[Delila]

Everywhere I go I see many many women wearing pantyhose, tights and the like. The other day I even saw a news report about the fact that tights are back in and even "the new fad" as they said. Fortunately here in colorado pantyhose are the new norm and I for one hope that it stays that way.

[goofus]

Everywhere I go I see many many women wearing pantyhose, tights and the like. The other day I even saw a news report about the fact that tights are back in and even "the new fad" as they said. Fortunately here in colorado pantyhose are the new norm and I for one hope that it stays that way.

Thank you, Megan, I rest my case :D

[cdeeko]

JUst how does Paul Harvey know that?

Jodi


LMAO:heehee:

[Audrey34]

At least I'll keep wearing them. The "bare leg" look does not work for me. My dressing up isn't complete without pantyhose or stockings!
-Audrey

[DarLynn]

i know i will do my part to keep wearing them. i love pantyhose. they are my favorite with my short skirts. pantyhose lovers unite!!!!!!

[goofus]

At least I'll keep wearing them. The "bare leg" look does not work for me. My dressing up isn't complete without pantyhose or stockings!
-Audrey

I tend to agree, Audrey, although I might do the bare leg look sometime (especially if I can get my legs to look a little better :) )


Trish

[Tina P Hose]

Tina, recently got a heck of a deal from the Nononsene sight...1/2 price with the FREE pairs included I must have gotten 30 pair of PANTYHOSE for 30 bucks...granted not the best brand of PANTYHOSE but they are okay. The Almost Bare seem to run fairly easily.

[AlysonCD]

Yes, it is true that women in general are wearing less hosiery. Most GG's that I talk to say they hate wearing them and some of them insist that they are out of style. With that in mind, many people might think that they are on their way out. As a personal lover and admirer of pantyhose, I can give my personal guarantee that pantyhose are not on their way out. I personally, have bought enough pairs of them to compensate for at least a dozen women that don't wear them at all.
Not to mention that there is a pretty big underground pantyhose following. I guess you could say that there are a lot of people out there that have somewhat of a fetish in that area. People like that and people like us are definitely keeping the business going. I wouldn't worry about a thing.

I know of at least 3 pantyhose disscussion boards that I visit on a regular basis. So yeah, there's a pretty good underground following

[ArleneRaquel]

I Love Pantyhose, I wear a pair almost every day, but as time goes by garter belts and thigh highs are gaining points with this girl. Lace Top Suspender Pantyhose is great too. My Lover gets very excited by my wearing garter belts and hose, and I feel ultra - sexy wearing them. :love: & :hugs: Trina

[Cathy_NJ]

I think it's time to resurrect the Joe Namath commercial!
Doesd anyone here remember that? or him?

[ArleneRaquel]

Joe Nameth's quarterbacking and legs were greatly overrated. :love: & :hugs: Trina

[MarieTS]

I always wear pantyhose with my skirts. Always. But pantyhose are also great for lining a nice pair of dress slacks. Jeans too! Granted, knee-hi's give great coverage for the exposed lower calf and ankle, but pantyhose provides a nice extra layer to line your pants with during Fall and Winter.

[windycissy]

This time of year, they're a must, even under slacks....but I hafta admit, when it gets warm out I've come to love the feeling of a skirt swirling around my bare legs, and let's face it, pantyhose are hot a sticky on a hot and humid day....so I can understand why gals in SoCal or Miami have ditched them, I would too, but winter in Chicago without my tights? No way!

[Brianna Lovely]

Pantyhose sales sag, in part due to fashion choices of younger workers
The Associated Press
Published: December 10, 2006


CHARLOTTE, North Carolina: Pantyhose, once a staple in a career woman's wardrobe, face a big snag that cannot be fixed with clear nail polish — more than a decade of declining sales.

At Hanesbrands, America's leading seller of women's sheer hosiery, the company has been straightforward with investors about the decline. The company said it continues to work on product innovations and is trying to take advantage of current fashion trends, but admits there is little that can be done about the sales decline until the fashion pendulum swings back its way.

"The casualization of the workplace, it is not as strict as before," said Romaine Sargent, vice president and general manager of marketing for hosiery at Hanesbrands. "Women have more options and some are choosing to wear sheer hosiery less."

According to the company, women ages 25 to 54 wear pantyhose an average of 1.8 times a week, down from 3.5 times a week a decade ago. Hosiery sales at Hanesbrands, which includes sheer hosiery (pantyhose, knee-high and thigh high), leggings, tights and trouser socks, totaled $290 million (€218.4 million) in fiscal 2006 — a nearly 68 percent drop from the $895 million (€674.2 million) in sales the company did in fiscal 1995.

The snag, industry experts say, is the generation gap between women who remember a time when stockings and pumps were required workplace attire and slacks were a no-no, an era enshrined forever in the 1980 Jane Fonda-Lily Tomlin comedy "9 to 5."

Nowadays, the trendsetters in many offices wear Capri-style pants, dress shorts, open toe sandals or even flip-flop sandals.

"The traditional waist-high pantyhose garment thrived in the 1980s, it was at a peak," said Sally Kay, president and chief executive of The Hosiery Association, a Charlotte-based trade organization. "But with the onset of the Internet in the '90s, and the ability to work from home, that's when we start to see sales decline."

Hanesbrands, created in September when Sara Lee Corp. spun off its apparel business, makes lingerie, underwear and other clothing for large retailers. The Greensboro-based company's top brand is Hanes, which products include underwear, bras, socks and T-shirts. About 6.5 percent of Hanesbrands' sales comes from hosiery, and those sales have dropped each year since 1995.

Women 40 and older are Hanesbrands' best hosiery customers. Women in the 20-to-35-year-old range wear less sheer hosiery, but show greater interest in alternatives like leggings, tights, trouser socks and even thigh-high hosiery.

"I have a love-hate relationship with pantyhose," said 34-year-old LeeAna S. Valkovschi, a marketing specialist from Charlotte who wears nylons two or three times a week. "I love that they are complimenting to any imperfections that I may have. I hate that by the end of the day they are so binding."

That kind of attitude has contributed to the 24 percent drop in overall sales in Hanesbrands' hosiery business in the past two years.

"Pantyhose feels frumpy and old to younger generations," said Clare Sauro, assistant curator of accessories of The Museum at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology. "Plus, if you've never worn pantyhose, you don't think to wear them now."

The current generation of adolescents and young adults — Generation Y, or those born between 1977 and 1994 — "has been known to create their own trends," said David Morrison, founder of the young adult marketing consultancy Twentysomething Inc. in Philadelphia. "Whatever they are going to be comfortable in is going to have main appeal."

Morrison and others note that while young people often take any fashion trend to its extreme, they aren't the only ones dressing down. The "casual Friday" trend that started in the 1990s continues to seep into the rest of the work week.

"The idea of simplicity is very appealing," Morrison said. "Whatever can be done to sleep a couple extra minutes."

And possibly save a couple of extra dollars. Depending on where you shop and the brand you buy, a pair of regular, reinforced toe pantyhose runs about $5 (€4) to $9 (€7); a three-pair pack about $10 (€8) to $15 (€11), maybe cheaper if on sale.

Hanesbrands is addressing its problem in several ways. One is by offering pantyhose alternatives like tights, leggings and trouser socks, although Sargent cautions that the company is not "looking to aggressively spend money" on product development in those areas.

Another is by marketing various sheer hosiery innovations. In addition to the longstanding "control top" feature, which slims the tummy and the rear for a smoother look under clothes, the company now offers "anti-cellulite" nylons and even stockings that promise to hydrate your legs.

Those kind of innovations raise costs, however — prices for some brands sold at high-end department store can reach $50 (€38) a pair.

That kind of upselling is tough, particularly when the target is young women who feel squeezed for cash.

"They are asking, 'Why am I spending money on this? It runs, it does this, it does that,'" Morrison said. "A good tie for a guy is going to cost $50 (€38) to $100 (€75) and it can be worn again."

Hanesbrands' Sargent said her company is trying to listen to younger consumers' tastes and preferences.

"Our younger consumers are not always aware of the innovations in the line. They know what was, but not necessarily what's new," she said. "We are looking for the appropriate way to reach out to them — is it the Internet? Peer influence?"

Sauro thinks it might be easier for companies just to let the fashion cycle take its course — and wait for the seemingly inevitable return of sheer, nude-colored pantyhose.

"You have a young generation that is influencing high fashion and that influences a greater population," Sauro said. "It just takes the right person and the right moment with the right generation of new eyes to change things. It will happen. In fashion, anything's possible."

[Josephine56]

I have no idea about sales or statistics, but for us hairy fellahs pantyhose is a must when showing any leg wearing drag.
I often wear them under drab trousers just for the feeling...

[Lois Page]

Whatever your preference, gartered-stockings, thigh-highs, or pantyhose, maybe it's time to protect these creatures under the federal Endangered Species Act until they can again survive in the wild by themselves.
Best regards,
Lois:D

[Glamourgirl GG]

Funny, I had to do research and write about this for my job last month. I also came across that AP article.

My bottom line is this....how many times do we watch a trend go out only to come back in years later? I wore ripped jeans when I was in high school and suddenly people are wearing ripped jeans again like it is a brand spankin new trend. Black nail polish was huge 15 years ago and now every celeb is wearing it making it trendy again. 80's style clothes are coming back with a vengence (just see Scarlett Johanson's new Reebok line of fitness wear).

I don't doubt for a second that pantyhose will fit in there somewhere and come back into popularity in the coming years. :2c:

[Angie G]

I wear them but like thigh high better And then thereis stocking witch I love:hugs:
Angie

[JulieC]

It irks me when I read/hear women say that bare legs are soooo much sexier than some form of hosiery on the legs. I bet I could poll 100 random men and 80+ of them would find a hosiery clad leg sexier. So, sexier for who?

I'm not saying women have to wear hosiery for men's sake, but if you're trying to be sexy isn't the point to be sexy to the opposite sex? (Unless you're not interested in the other sex of course). I realize I'm biased, but seeing a woman's leg in pantyhose is soooooo much sexier to me. The vast majority of women just don't have the skin/legs to carry off the bare legged look. It looks bad usually.

[Samantha Jane Foster]

I love bare legs much better. But I love sandals more than pumps, and I think bare skin under the straps is more beautiful and you can show off your painted nails. Especially cute with a short jean skirt, frayed hem, distressed denim.

[Lovely Rita]

I have been reading the threads on the decline of pantyhose sales, the death of pantyhose etc., and while I would agree that pantyhose wearing has certainly declined over the years (at least among GG's!) it hasn't disappeared entirely. Just this week I went to a local starbucks and sitting there was a nicely dressed younger woman in a skirt and black tights. Not pantyhose, but hosiery nonetheless instead of the bare leg look. Then later this week I was downtown here in my mid-sized midwestern city and saw at least 3 women wearing pantyhose in the space of a couple of hours. I think that perhaps the wearing of pantyhose has become a for-work-or special occasions only thing among GG's, but it hasn't ceased entirely, at least here in the heartland.

:2c:

Trish


One of my favorite parts of cding is the chance to wear pantyhose. I just love hosiery, stockings, fishnets, seamed, black, off black, white, nude, you name it.

hugs

[JulieC]

I got started in CDing wearing pantyhose. I absolutely adore pantyhose. Thankfully, my wife is 100% against the bare legged look :) Lucky me :)

[cindychan]

I love pantyhose as well. I notice from work experience older ladies tend to were them quite a bit. As long they are around we'll be safe;)

[stacie]

While I was out shopping yesterday I stop by Nordstroms to buy a pair of Spanx. I did see alot of ladies wearing pantyhose in there. The lady working the counter was also wearing a pair of spanx. She did ask me who I was buying my hosiery for. I told her for myself and I am a Crossdresser. She thought it was nice to see a guy intouch with his female side. I than ask her if you sell alot of pantyhose and she said during the cooler and colder months. I said to her, I thought girls don't like to wear panthose and her answer was, We don't like to wear leggs or any cheap hosiery. But give us a nice pair of nylons anytime. So I don't think pantyhose are a thing of the past.

[Chemise]

We should spread the rumour that trousers/slacks are uncool, that should push up the sales....

Chemise

[Lindsay]

I spend a fortune on stockings, because I need to wear them every day for my job.

I'm a bank robber.

[JulieC]

her answer was, We don't like to wear leggs or any cheap hosiery. But give us a nice pair of nylons anytime. So I don't think pantyhose are a thing of the past.

I've long felt that too many women think that the way pantyhose are supposed to feel is the way cheap pantyhose like No Nonsense, store brands, etc. feel. I despise No Nonsense. Maybe they've changed, but I gave up on them 20 years go...so damn itchy I'd be happier with fine grained sandpaper.

I had a girlfriend once who hated wearing pantyhose. She wore only No Nonsense. I had her try a higher quality pantyhose, and her opinion of pantyhose changed dramatically.

Pantyhose comfort is very much factor of proper sizing, and searching for the right brand until you find one or more that you like. Pantyhose are NOT all the same.

Yes, many brands of pantyhose have been seeing a long decline in sales beginning ~1995. But, it's interesting to note that Wolford has been INCREASING in sales of hosiery over the last few years.

Life is too short for cheap pantyhose.

-BB

[cindychan]

Alot of horseback riders use pantyhose aswell.

[Lovely Rita]

I went out and bought a hundred more pairs.

just kidding:D

[JulieC]

I went out and bought a hundred more pairs.

just kidding:D

Well, might not be so far off the truth. Certainly there's still millions upon millions of pantyhose being sold still today. But, I've seen stores close out their pantyhose offerings and stop selling them. Makes for a great sale. When TJ Maxx decided to stop selling hose my wife and I picked up about 40 pairs at ridiculously low prices, including about $500 worth of Wolford tights for <$50.

On the plus side, the fewer stores that sell hose the better selling will be the hose at stores that still have them. I guess.

-BB

[cathie]

I think I am personally responsible for sales in pantyhose. LY I must have bought thousand of $'s in pantyhose. I have hundreds of pairs stored. Glad I did because when I moved here I became a stay at home dad with no fun money to throw around. I miss that big fat paycheck I used to get.