FashBlog.com

Have you noticed the preponderance of bare legs in the last year or so, even in colder weather? Here we are, with a multitude of styles in pantyhose and stockings from which to choose, and it seems that most women under 30 are shunning them…

Almost 2 years ago, a friend was telling me that she had attended a social event on a rather cool day, and she noticed that she was the only one who was not bare-legged. Until then, that was the kind of thing I would not have even thought about, but it’s become obvious, even to me.

When my daughter didn’t want to look “odd” by wearing anything on her legs at a semi-formal dance on a cold night last February, I chalked it up to reckless youth. But I’ve been noticing that all of the models now seem to be bare legged, and even the opening of “The Devil Wears Prada” shows fashion industry employees all donning shoes over bare feet. Has it been this way for years and I’ve been too stodgy to see it? Or is this a trend that goes with the discarding of coats and gloves for a California look, even when it’s 20 degrees and snowing?

I distinctly remember the struggle I faced in getting my mother to allow me to wear stockings; I think I had to beg. Perhaps I was in 4th grade, and up to that point, girls wore knee socks or anklets. But by the age of 10, we all thought that look was way too immature, and so the push began to look like young ladies. I will never forget how I felt when I pulled up those silky nylons and looked in the mirror-instant glamour! I was no longer a little girl! When one was finally allowed to wear pantyhose or stockings (garter belts were an option, too) it was clear that teenage privileges weren’t far away. When older, I also wore fishnets and lacy patterned stockings, as well as white pantyhose-in which a male friend confided as having a “thing” for. Obviously, growing up in the 70’s, I was accustomed to viewing pantyhose as de rigueur; to think of going without them seemed ludicrous!

Well, as I began my working career involving client visits, quality suits and dresses were expected, so I wore pantyhose and heels daily, year-round. Even while pregnant 15 years ago, I seldom wore pants because it was considered more prestigious to “dress up”, as it denoted position in my company.

How things have changed.

Currently, there are pantyhose for even the youngest girls, and tights in every color and design can make a fashionista out of every preschooler. Yet, older girls and grown women have been shunning leg coverings for the naked look. My brother-in-law, as an employee for a major lingerie/stocking company, provided me with dozens of samples. It was clear that they were feeling the pinch and were trying desperately to recapture their market with new pantyhose options.

Now, thanks to the trend of bare-leggedness, I have more to be concerned about. Before I would go to a formal function in such a state, I’d have to hit the tanning salon, do a perfect shaving job, and saturate my legs with body lotion…it seems like a lot of work.

So, although I do that in the summer months, I still haven’t followed this trend in the spring, fall or winter. (I do have the excuse of living in the cold northeast.) For my last two Christmas galas, I matched sheer stocking to a champagne-colored tea length dress, and light black stockings to another. I think my legs looked good, but more importantly, I felt good, versus bare, cold, and self-conscious.

In this writer’s humble opinion, fashion trends really should not create self-centered concerns. There are perfectly good reasons why stockings have been around for as long as they have been. They’re alluring, sensuous, and soften the look of discernable tendons, muscles, knobby knees, and-if the dress is short-cellulite. Sure, they may not be absolutely necessary, but, like many fashion accessories, if they flatter the woman, they’re definitely worth using!

Now, if they could only make them a bit more comfortable…