Friday, December 11, 2009

Gone the Way of the Corset

What are your thoughts on panty hose?

I haven't owned a pair in years. And I consider them more of a cold weather accessory rather than a required item for modest dressing.
Chiquita, on the other hand, thinks they are a necessary article of underclothes and that if you are in a business setting or church and are wearing a skirt or dress you must wear nylons. In fact, if you're not wearing them she things you're loose. She thinks you're fast. She thinks you're on the prowl for rich men. Bare legs = Woman of Easy Virtue.
I'm sure it's a generational thing. There had to have been a time when pettycoats were going out of fashion and women of a certain age were gasping over the vulgarity of it all and women of another certain age were all, "Chill out. No one wears pettycoats anymore."
Which makes me wonder what more can we get rid of? If for generations women have been ditching their superfluous underthings, which is the next one to go? I'm pretty sure we're down to the essentials. However, I'm prepared to be scandalized.

11 comments:

Andrea said...

You've probably already noticed that when it comes to nylons I'm the 80 year old woman. I wear them all the time with dresses/skirts. Maybe it's because I used to wear tights all the time as a kid. If I don't wear them I feel that something is missing. Plus I love how they hold everything in. Or maybe the real reason I wear them is because if I were to come to church with my bare legs showing I'm pretty sure I'd blind everyone...my legs are shockingly white. You know you need a tan when your 6 month old nephew has darker skin than you. It's true.

Rach said...

I hate pantyhose. Hate them. They cut my stomach in half and create embarrassing rolls that should not exist. When I'm pregnant they make me feel like barfing. The only upside is that they keep your legs warm, but instead, I'm always on the hunt for a long skirt. And you're right about the generational thing. There was a lady who came and did a class for our Stake RS and Young Women about how to dress (don't get me started on that), and she basically said, no hose and you're a slut. I think we can also get rid of high heels, although they make most women's calves look fantastic. The rest of the underthings really are kind of important.

Jenny said...

My mom is definitely in the pantyhose camp. She even wears them under her slacks. It is completely bizarre to me. Since I live in the Rockies where winter temperatures in the last week have barely gotten above zero degrees, I use them as a extra layer of warmth, but I hate them with a passion. Longs skirts and boots are a much better option.

Jenny said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Katzbox said...

I have peers that are in the panty-hose camp. I am not. This is only one of the reasons I believe I was born about 3 decades too late. I am offended that the skin of my bare legs speaks ill of my characters, especially while I AM IN CHURCH PARTAKING RIGHTEOUSLY OF THE SACRAMENT. Stop that ridiculous judgmental attitude!!! It's one thing to prefer to wear them yourself and have a comfort level with them...heck, I wear them sometimes, but to judge others for NOT wearing them???? Wha????

Okay...I'm done...I'm doing deep breathing and counting to ten...I guess I err on the "mercy" side a little more than the "justice" side when it comes to things like this...if someone is showing up at the chapel or the Temple (!!!) and people don't like how their legs are dressed????....I get a little puzzled...I'm all about the no-judgment-zone....

colleeeen said...

I own no nylons. I do actually own a corset. A real, honest-to-goodness corset, not some cheap article of lingerie. I should wear it more often, as it feels much nicer than the 80-odd bras I own, none of which seem to be the correct size. Maybe I'll go lace it up right now, although I am probably a good 15 lbs heavier now than I was when I bought it. Sigh.

colleeeen said...

Oh, and Katz: I occasionally wear pants to church. Underneath a short dress, but unmistakably pants. I think I briefly started a trend, because I've seen one older sister show up at church in slacks WITH NO SKIRT or anything. I was so proud! Now if I only had the guts to do that myself. These silly unspoken social taboos are so irrational.

The Katzbox said...

Colleeen...you scandalous little soldier you.....

Stephanie said...

I own one pair of nylons that I have had for three years now. I wore them for our last family pictures because I didn't want the camera to have to white balance because of my legs. But other than that, I haven't worn them since I first bought them three years ago.

I like how they hold things in, too - but Spanx does a darn good job with that now. I have learned how to shave my legs quickly and efficiently now, and I don't consider it so much of a bother. It used to be so much more of a hassle.

I actually think that sometimes we need to wear a few more undergarments - like slips. When did slips go out of fashion? I was trying to find a little girl cotton slip for Annie and I couldn't find one! I can find tons of bikini underwear with mickey mouse on it, lots of camisoles, but nothing that she can wear under a shimmery summer dress to make it so that it looks like her mother cares about her.

Heather said...

I am hate nylons! But I love my garter belt and stockings. Weird? It's especially nice for for those days between waxings.

jessica said...

I am piping in to say that I agree - it must be generational and I'm hoping that when all of the widows die off someone has the sense to stop making comments in RS that link your virtue to your desire and actual wearing of pantyhose. It disturbs me to think these things are still going on in CA - I live in small town ID, so i think it's to be expected here.