Pantyhose and Tights
Fashion Tips

The concept of leg coverings led to the evolution of stockings. Stockings are held up by a garter. Both men and women wore stockings through the 1800s. Stockings became the term used for tights that require a garter when a new design of leg covering came out eliminating the need for the garter.

Queen Victoria brought stockings to women when she had a pair of tights made for herself. Her leadership brought about the desire of many women to wear stockings. During this time men continued to wear stockings.

In the United States, the original garter style stockings were remodeled into a self holding pair of pantyhose or tights. Pantyhose and tights have become more popular than the original gartered stockings.

As men went from skirts and knickers to full length pants they gave up their gartered stockings. Hidden stockings became socks and also became less important. As lycra was added into cotton socks, the need for a garter was eliminated and socks became more of an invisible necessity than anything else for men.

This is changing today. Men are enjoying pantyhose and tights as everyday wear. Many men are wearing pantyhose and tights with skirts and shorts. Other men are wearing their pantyhose and tights under pants.

Many men are also adding sheer socks to their wardrobes. Sheer socks replace cotton socks, but look a lot better. They are a great addition to a man's wardrobe whether he is ready for pantyhose and tights or not.