What is your opinion on control-top pantyhose? Do you like the look, support, different styles, or do you prefer sheer to waist strictly?
Control-top
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I used to, routinely, buy control top or at least a reinforced top, most often IF it wasn't a fully blown "control" top. I've never liked that feeling of being forcefully constrained around the mid section. It's not like I really ever needed it, either. So, there's that. I would, however, chose that style mostly because they were a little stronger, and could withstand any tugging or positioning of the panty, better than sheer to waist styles. But that was "then".
I've long since migrated away from control/reinforced top styles, probably well over a decade or more ago, and currently prefer sheer to waist styles. My skirts are such that I prefer not having to wonder about, or be concerned, that any reinforced area of my pantyhose is offering itself up and betraying my modesty to anyone who might be casting their glance my way, most notably while I'm perched on a bar stool at a local pub, or in any other potentially revealing situation.
Most of the skirts I might chose to wear to a pub or casual dining venue, aren't usually strictly "corporate protocol" in hem length appropriateness, for the most part. I prefer to wear something that usually falls about mid thigh or very slightly below that mark. If I were to wear pantyhose that included a control top panty, I know for a fact that they'd likely be shouting their presence to the pub the moment I wasn't aware my skirt had ridden up slightly, while engrossed in conversation with a friend. I don't need the unwarranted nor wanted attention, in that regard. So, I'll opt for sheer to the waist styles, and remove any potential broadcasting of what I'm wearing under my skirt. I prefer to be discrete as opposed to overtly advertising, however unintentional the reveal might be.
I understand that a lot of guys love that quick peek that confirms that a woman is in fact wearing pantyhose, or a specific style of it that they prefer. That's the same reason I don't or can't wear some of my favourite stockings (garter belt required) with certain skirts. They just show too much of the welt, no matter how high one tries to fasten them, or how taught they are secured on my thigh. They, unfortunately, are a no-go, for the same visually compromising reasons.
I don't hate the look, myself, as long as they aren't what are sometimes called long, or "full support", when the reinforced area lands well down the thigh. Not only does that style actually restrict my movement a little too much, but it's completely over-kill and unnecessary for me. My thighs don't resemble a mountain of cottage cheese, from any angle. I've never known any cellulite issues in that regard, in order to justify that level of industrial strength "containment" or smoothing.
A style that is rarely seen these days was one of my favourites back when it was more available, in certain brands. I loved what some manufacturers called a "french cut" panty in their pantyhose range of styles. The brand HUE was probably the last manufacturer I found that carried that pretty style where a lace-like pattern was weaved in to resemble a bikini panty in place of a regular reinforced style, or a simple sheer to the waist type of pantyhose. Does anybody remember those? There was another brand that I'd sometimes find that pretty style in back in the 90s, but I'm not sure I accurately recall which brand that was. We used to refer to that style as "date night" pantyhose, as a bit of a joke among us, to describe the difference between them and the more pedestrian styles most women wore everyday. If that style was still around, and sold at Shapings, I'd probably buy a few pairs. They were really tastefully styled and comfortable to wear...very similar in feel to sheer to waist but with that small touch of detail that made them pretty. They were like wearing a high cut panty, but in pantyhose instead. You could wear them with your shortest of skirts, or skirt with a high side slit, and still be comfortable knowing nothing would reveal itself when you least expected it.
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Hi Carrie, great photos love the shoe dangle.
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@SD Thanks SD. That shoe dangle is how I spell "relief". When you've been wearing them all day, and now finally have a chance to enjoy some dinner and a glass of wine, it's nice to also get a little more comfortable, if you can. It's not cool to kick them off completely in public, but I think most women know we can get away with this, if done discretely.
Apologies for the nasty run in my pantyhose in the lower shot. It's easy to tell where that one started, and likely why! Long manicured finger nail went right through while trying to adjust that one leg upward a little. 😒 Best I could do in the circumstances was break out the clear nail polish to stop its migration. But that damage was done and there was just no way to hide it. At least I didn't also have to hide any control top areas despite wearing a very short skirt that seems to love to ride up to my nether regions every time I wear the darn thing! No control tops for me!
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@Carrie Stuart Yes, Carrie, the French lingerie company Aubade had, within their range, black pantyhose featuring an exquisitely patterned area resembling a lace panty. I saw them in a fashion magazine - modelled by a girl with a perfect body - probably twenty-five years ago, and wanted a pair so much. I guess the price rendered them out of reach for me at the time.
As for control top pantyhose - no, not for me. I concur with your reasons for not choosing them, Carrie. I love sheer to waist, and avoid buying any pantyhose with a reinforced body area. Athough unlikely that anybody but me will know I'm wearing sheer to waist hosiery, the knowledge that I have that flawless, even coverage all the way to the waistband is important to me.
Gorgeous photos, Carrie.
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@Janine J Hi Janine
There is a Chinese company that sells their products on Amazon in Canada (each Amazon site in their respective country sells a different selection of goods) that offers a brand and style that includes this type of panty. Initially, I was drawn to 2 pairs of back seamed pantyhose for their relatively inexpensive price tag and reasonably good ratings by purchasers, but also noted that they had a "fancy" French style panty incorporated into them. Bonus, I thought, and ordered a 2 pack pair for the paltry sum of $20 Cdn.
They aren't terrible but they're definitely not what I'd call soft or luxurious feeling on the leg, nor to the touch. They seem durable enough, (as I've worn them 2-3 times already) but they lack anything special or endearing about them, apart from a fairly pronounced back seam and cuban heel design. Fit is a bit of a challenge because they offer only 2 choices sm/med or large/xlarge. I opted for the small/medium size, and although they fit, they just don't offer the same snug reassuring feeling that I'm used to with more expensive Italian brands. I think they're OK for a costume or novelty occasion, but they just don't offer me what I want for a special outfit, or a classy affair when seamed hosiery can often look very chic.
Here's a link to the product but I'm not certain it will open if you aren't in Canada. The company brand is MANZI if you feel like checking their availability in the UK.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B4W2MKQG?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1&psc=1
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When I was young I was very intrigued by pantyhose. I'm not sure I was aware of anything but control top when it came to pantyhose. It seems control top is a very common style in North America and packaging and photos overwhelmingly showed models wearing the control top style. Is there something about North American vs. European hosiery where control top is the preferred style? I've noticed European styles are mostly sheer to waist which I took notice to when my curiosity broadened to include European hosiery. Do American women need more support, do companies think women prefer this style...I wonder what the answer is.
At the age of twelve, I finally found an opportunity to wear pantyhose. I would have loved to experience hosiery at an earlier age but when you are a male it is something you have to keep secret or else face embarrassment and/or ridicule if exposed. You also don't have someone to educate yourself about all the variations of pantyhose. All I know is that I really liked the look of suntan/gentlebrown and that was probably the only feature I was concerned about. I figured control top was just standard and I was thrilled I even had a pair. It was exciting holding the soft and silky pantyhose in my hands and noticing how the rather thin leg fabric suddenly approached the control top and changed to a thicker material. I just determined these are what pantyhose are supposed to be like but the real fun was going to be putting them on.
The interesting thing about control top is you have use a little more effort to open the panty section to slide into them. Once again, here I am, a young male attempting to put on a female item without any instruction. My legs were long, thin and not hairy, so working them up my legs wasn't too bad but it would have been easier if I knew how to bunch them up first. The material wasn't something I had felt before...soft and silky with a bit of tension against the skin. When I worked them up to my upper thigh, I got to the point where the control top kicked in. It took a little more effort but I stretched them enough to work them over my groin and up around my waist. I liked the mild pressure the control top provided. I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror in nothing but the pantyhose. It was definitely odd seeing myself in something so feminine...boys just don't wear something like this. I liked how the control top defined my waist area and even turned around to see how my behind looked underneath the hosiery. The material felt fantastic, the gentle touch on my legs felt great and the nice sheen and even texture looked wonderful. I was saying to myself that women were so lucky to be able to wear something so enjoyable without judgement. Anyway, my first experiences with pantyhose being control top helped me to enjoy this style of legwear.
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I think that back then, in North America, our society was a little more concerned with propriety and a girl's or woman's modesty. Europe has always been less concerned or uptight about sexuality or provacative fashion. It's just the way it was, and probably still is. Control top or what was a reinforced top, was the predominent style offered by the North American manufacturers as an effort to get us to ditch the redundant, panties and pantyhose, habit most of us (at first) would choose when wearing pantyhose with a dress or skirt. The manufacturers wanted us to ONLY wear pantyhose underneath, instead of both items under our dresses. So, they made the panty section fairly opaque in offer to provide a little more assurance that nothing would be visible through the panty section should prying eyes be present or the wind misbehave and blow our dresses up to our waists! Ask any woman who worked downtown among high office buildings if the swirling wind was a near constant foe.
By the time I entered high school, I was making a little bit of my own money from baby sitting and reward money for good grades, that I was able to occasionally buy my own pantyhose, and not have to solely rely on my mom's good grace to keep me in a supply that didn't have runs and rips in them. Just as I entered high school, a brand new shopping mall had been completed and finally opened only 4 blocks away, which made for a very convenient place to go at lunch time for some mall food (as opposed to the cafeteria fare) and to hit the make up counters, or buy some new pantyhose before heading back to class. It was common to walk over in our uniform tunics with navy blue or white knee socks, and return in sheer pantyhose courtesy of being able to change in the mall bathrooms.
Almost ALL of what was offered in the stores were the reinforced or control top panty styles. There were a few sheer to the waist with sandalfoot styles available, but those were very few in number compared to reinforced panty and toe varieties. We didn't seem to mind, and actually prefered the extra "security" especially in school being surrounded my hormone crazed adolescent boys!! Our loosely skirted uniform tunics would often ride up or become displaced while sitting in class on those hard but smooth wooden chairs. The only drawback to wearing pantyhose was if you had phys-ed class during that day. They were more of a time consuming hassle to get changed out of, and then redressed in while still perspiring a little, and still make it to class on time afterward. Knee socks ruled on phys-ed days.
Later on as designs modified, there was 2 brands that I remember that made a very prominent distinction between what those companies offered and "regular" pantyhose. Some pantyhose were now being offered with a fancy panty section that was often distinguished by different material and colours that resembled actual panties. They would come in pearl white, soft pink, and I once saw a black panty attached to regular nude/tan beige legs as an option. Of course we paid a premium price of a about $1.00 - $2.00 more for those styles but the advantage was that you saved on extra laundry and any added discomfort of wearing both panties and pantyhose together. That can get bulky and overly warm and uncomfortable at times.
One style was called "Disguise" and the US market had a style called "UnderAlls" but I don't know who made those. Disguise were offered by a brand called Whisper. I liked and wore their regular pantyhose as often as I could afford them. They were super soft and fit me well. A girlfriend of mine told me about Disguise and showed me how they looked on her. I was sold right away. Her mother was a lingerie model for a large reputable department store called EATONS, and that's how she first got them. Her mom brought them home from a photoshoot she had done for an Eatons advertisement in the local newspapers. They were only around for a few years and then simply disappeared. Perhaps sales weren't that strong any more. Even my mom liked them when I showed her, and she wore them for a while, too.
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This is what the package looked like. You can see a small discrete amount of the actual panty.
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I definitely remember "UnderAlls". They seemed to have a pretty significant add campaign in the States..."pantyhose and panties all in one." When you are a young boy who is curious about pantyhose these advertisements really stood out. I didn't want to be caught gawking at the television when these commercials came on, so, I would try to play uninterested but secretly I loved the beautiful models showcasing the product. I remember watching my neighbors house while they wear on summer vacation. She wore UnderAlls and I knew because they wear hanging over the drying machine in their garage. The obvious white control top tipped me off. It seemed liked a perfect opportunity to maybe try them on. They were the suntan shade I loved, I'm not sure I had even tried pantyhose on at this point. Every day I would go there and stare at those hose...how would they feel, how would I look? I did have reservations about trying on someone elses clothing though and didn't follow through. Even to this day, I still think about that brand and how those hose drapped over her appliance.
UnderAlls seemed to be a new product at the time when they came out, with L'eggs, Hanes, and No nonsense being the most ubiquitous, although I do remember long rows of hosiery when I would go to a department store. Sears and JcPenny had there own lines as well. Once again though, I didn't want to stand there and stare at the sizeable selection. Catching a glimpse here and there, I would usually see the photo with the model wearing the control top style.
I can understand why women and even men might not like the compression of the control top. For men who wear pantyhose, the control top does offer a little more pressure to keep the male anatomy in place, giving the wearer a smoother profile. It is funny, sometimes you hear women say..."How can men wear pantyhose with their body features?" It really isn't too similar to females, the hosiery just presses things closer to the body. There are styles for men with a bulge in front for added space but for me it has never been a problem or discomfort. Honestly, I like both styles (control top and sheer to waist) equally. I buy women's hosiery because there are so many more styles to choose from (and believe me, I have tried so many different types and brands), it is what I started with, and the packaging is so much more appealing. Some men are pretty comfortable buying and wearing female pantyhose, for me, I'm still pretty nervous and conflicted. Walking into a hosiery section, being approached by a sales rep, and searching through the hosiery options has always been very nerve-racking but owning and wearing something of my choice has also been rewarding.
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