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 were 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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Thanks Carrie for your perspective on the control top/ reinforced style. My theory was that maybe manufacturers thought women might want the control top for vanity reasons...to keep things tucked in, to create a slimmer profile. The control top gives a support feature that almost turns it into a support garment, kind of like a girdle, perhaps the idea was to replace the girdle. So, now pantyhose become a more uncomfortable item like you described because of this feature. Sheer to waist definitely has a less constricting feel to it and thus more comfortable. I wonder if the control top style which is so prevalent in North America could be another reason (among many) why women choose not to wear hosiery.
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Mark...I believe that what you've stated is accurate and likely factual with consideration for why control tops were made in the beginning. As I mentioned, there were 2 varieties and each had a distinctly different feel and purpose. Control tops were to suck things in and offer a smoother silouhette. Back in the 60s and earlier, most women owned at least 1 girdle, and probably more as they could afford to buy them, and as they wanted to match the colours of other undergarments. When pantyhose was first intnroduced, I think manufacturers felt the need to attempt to replace the girdle and its secure feeling when worn, as well as the stockings one usually attached to one that had the fasteners to do so. Not ALL girdles had those tabs to secure stockings.
But they also knew that not every woman wore a girdle, particularly the younger ones. Pantyhose were targetted at that younger generation initially because it was that segment who were wearing those shorter tighter skirts and dresses, and even the micro minis for the truly daring. As such, they also needed pantyhose that didn't suck everything in and create a binding effect around the mid section. Those were the reinforced variety. Sheer to waist also came along for the wearing of hot pants and go-go boots when they were all the rage. No one wanted to show the reinforced panty appearing below the bottom of the hot pants, or when one of your very short minis decided to act in a less than appropriate way and ride up ones thighs.
I'm not sure I'd directly attribute the decline of pantyhose wearing by a large portion of women to discomfort experienced while wearing control tops. By that point in time, there were ALL forms of pantyhose available to purchase, sheer to waist, crotchless, and even the ones that simulated stockings and a garter all in one. (those are attrocious to wear, BTW) They're fussy and needlessly bothersome to put on. Likely date night bedroom attire for most. I doubt anyone would wear those through the day at work.
I think the decline had more to do with attitudes, a decline in propriety, casual Friday workplaces, laziness, and a lowering of general standards of comportment in public. Yes, North Americans became lazy and dressed much more casually. And it has only continued to the point where society looks like it is dominated by slobs, and people who couldn't care less about fashion or even looking smart when they go out. It's pretty dismal out there when you spend some serious money to attend the ballet or an evening of classical music by the symphony orchestra, and you don't even see a long dress, let alone a ball gown! And the guys are showing up in chinos and a barely complementary blazer. Doubt you'll see many neckties, either. Or maybe that's just this hick western city I live in that embraces its western identity by dressing in cowboy fashion. I find that it's only those who've grown up in the east working corporate office jobs, and then transfered out here, who truly understand what formal or semi-formal dress codes actually mean. My friend Jeannie and I (she's from Toronto and I from Montreal) looked like a couple of debutantes at a coming out ball, the first time we both attended the symphony together in this city!! 2 flight attendants from the east originally were waaaaay over dressed compared to the locals. It was bizarre. We thought going to the symphony was a fancy occasion. Guess not....here!
And what's also interesting is that both of us always wore pantyhose with our skirts and dresses on our days off out of uniform, even when we went out for cheap pasta night at a local family restaurant chain. We didn't ONLY wear pantyhose because it was required by our airline uniform grooming standards as a flight attendant! It was just how we were raised. Everybody put on better clothes when they went out for dinner. Guess that memo didn't make it out to the wild west. But we were a hit with those who ran the restaurant. They'd always come get us, and usher us both up to the front of the line, or seat us at a prominent table, almost as though we were on display for others to take note of. When I asked the maitre d' why he always did that, he said that we "classed the joint up" when we were there, and they loved having us. LoL
Society needs to do better. It's not ONLY celebrities who are going to be shot on the red carpet, or by ambushing paparazzi who should be thinking about dressing well. EVEYBODY should try to clean up their own images. If wearing pantyhose over untanned bare white imperfect legs when wearing a skirt or dress is too much to ask, what does it say for societal attitudes of manners and courtesy as a whole? Very few women have legs as perfect as the model in this photo. And every girl knows it. Why don't we at least try, even if it means we need to wear good quality hosiery to attain it?
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Carrie, you make sense when talking about why women don't wear pantyhose like they used to. I have read on occasion where woman will compare hosiery to torture devices and trying to squeeze into them. Squeezing into something doesn't sound appealing. There are obviously many reasons why there has been a decline like you have previously stated. My perspective would be that sliding into something that is soft, silky, looks amazing and elegantly hugs your body from waist to toe is enjoyable, at least to me. Even as a male (and I'm definitely in the small minority), when I am shopping for pantyhose, I make sure I am choosing the correct size. I make sure my hands and nails are smooth. I carefully handle the fabric and gently work it up my legs. I like the look, feel and experience in general, however, I understand everyone is different and what one person likes another may dislike and that is fine. I am also not obligated to wear eight hours a day five days a week but can choose when I want to wear, so I have much more pantyhose freedom.
Yes, women with the nice legs look amazing when they are wearing pantyhose. It is a sexy compliment to their outfit. I am not sure how many women are aware of this and the attention it can get from the opposite sex. Maybe women aren't concerned with how their outfit reflects on themselves. Maybe they don't want the attention it attracts. Women may have these conversations with other females but as a male it is something you don't really discuss. I love seeing beautiful women showcasing their legs in hosiery. I think if more women were wearing these days I would be way more distracted than I currently am with the few sightings I see. Perhaps that is good?
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Mark, I think that if women are feeling "squeezed" when trying to put on some pantyhose, they should either lay off the SPANX brands, or not wear control top at all. Get their butts to the gym and lay off the snacking in front of TV while watching their shows, would be my long term suggestion. Women moan about how tight and uncomfortable pantyhose is because they've let their butts grow large as they've aged while married. Both men and women tend to slack off on their appearance upkeep once they've landed "the one". America's culture of fast food has long been a contributor to body dimensions, as has our over abundance of overly processed food available at grocery stores.
But good quality pantyhose are anything BUT a torture device. High heels are closer to resembling that description than pantyhose. But you've probably noticed the same or coinciding schedule of infrequent high heel wearing along with the same decline in sheer hosiery use by women. The 2 items go together so well. I see it as a symbiotic relationship, personally. I'll never wear high heels without sheer hosiery also worn. The improved look is obvious, but it's also a comfort thing. I can't honestly understand why or how a lot of women can even wear high heels without pantyhose, due to the elevated discomfort they naturally impart to ones feet.
I think most women are aware that their legs look infinitely more attractive in sheer hosiery, but judging from their choices, I'd have to deduce that that benefit doesn't mean enough to them in order to out weigh what negative factors they attribute to regularly wearing pantyhose or stockings. I grew up as a pre teenager almost begging my mom to buy me some so I could wear them too, as I had starting seeing other girls my age in class occasionally showing up in school wearing them. I thought they looked so grown up, and I wanted to look that way as well.
From high school onward, I was allowed to wear them. And around age 15, I got my first pair of high heels, albeit it what we now describe as "kitten heels" that had about a 2 or 2.5 inch stiletto heel. I felt so beautiful wearing them with pantyhose and a nice dress. To this day, that feeling still lives within me when I've got a nice outfit on and am rocking a gorgeous pair of 4 inch high stiletto pumps along with sheer Italian hosiery. Especially now, when so few women are bothering with heels and hose, I tend to garner a LOT of looks from guys. Women, too, make note of what I'm wearing. Occasionally, one will even compliment what I'm wearing. That's always a source of pride and joy when another woman goes out of her way to say something complimentary.
But, it's just how I grew up. And I've worn pantyhose ALL my life. My first office job required it as part of a professional dress code, and then later as a flight attendant, if we chose to wear the skirt or dress options, we were required to wear sheer pantyhose of a specific shade in order to adhere to our corporate dress regulations. I've never minded, and often was thankful I was wearing sheer hosiery.
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I like control top tights because they're much more durable/flexible around the waist. Of course sheer to waist is sexier, but also much more likely to tear/ladder. Also, when I wear control top I can usually wear my right size (M or L) which is a better, more comfortable fit. I go one size up for sheer to waist and sometimes they feel loose around my legs.
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I guess control top/reinforced top pantyhose aren't limited to one style and we must differentiate. There is the French cut/bikini, the standard boy short (boxer), and the long leg/mid thigh style. Are there more? Personally, I like the boy short control-top the best which also seems to be the standard and most common. The mid thigh style is interesting. They look like bike shorts and hose all in one. These are probably worn by someone looking to keep things firm down to their thighs. The French cut/bikini style looks fine. Seems like this style is not too common considering what is available in the marketplace.
The boy cut style, which like I said earlier, is the first style I actually wore is probably why I still like them today. My shorts did drop below the base of the control top when I could find an opportunity to wear. Some may like the look of a revealed control top below the hemline, I think it looks a little tacky but everyone has their own preferences. Women wearing skirts probably are concerned about this especially if the skirt is short. Maybe some might do it to tease. The firmer fit of the reinforced top is fine with me and for most men it helps lock things into place. The mid thigh isn't a style I would probably pick. Not sure how I feel about it, not sure I have even tried it...maybe. To me it makes the statement..."I need more support!" The French-cut is another style which has been limited in my hosiery wearing experiences. Why the boy short/boxer seems to be the default control top/reinforced top, I don't know.
There is the sub-category for these styles as well. Do the reinforced tops have design patterns, are there additional panels present to keep high stress areas at bay. One thing I really like is the satin style control top. I like the reflective nature and my guess is that it allows fabrics not to cling to the hosiery. Boy, the many options in legwear!
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If you like a satin control top, take a look at Oroblu Vanite 15. It's pretty shiny and slippery under your clothes. I've bought them for years and quite like them. It's actually one of the very few control top styles that I buy. Almost all my favourites are sheer to waist.
The Shapings description speaks of the reinforced toes being opaque. That's not true in my experience. They're not completely sheer or invisibly reinforced, but they're far from opaque. I have no problem seeing what colour my pedi is while wearing a pair of them.
https://www.shapings.com/products/vanite-15-pantyhose
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