Tag Archives: tan

Is it possible to tan through pantyhose?

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pantyhose and shorts on the beachI’ve seen some photos of people tanning through lace fishnet pantyhose in a pattern that looked like someone printed the fabric onto the leg.  Let’s just say, it looked very strange.

But is it possible to tan through pantyhose that is sheer and doesn’t have any holes in it?

I was wearing my pantyhose in Hawaii, but I didn’t manage to tan.  I don’t know if it’s because I barely tan in general or because of the hosiery.  Another reason maybe because I tried to stay out of the sun between 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., as recommended by dermatologists.

But if you’d go and lie on the beach in blazing sun, would you catch a sun tan through pantyhose?

I’d love to hear your opinions if it’s possible to tan through pantyhose!

Trying on a Russian Pantyhose Brand Gracia

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I just returned from my trip to Europe, wearing on my flight back for the first time a pair of Russian pantyhose of Gracia (Грация) brand.  You can learn more about my trip through in my pantyhose diary if you’d like.

Some people try exotic foods when they travel, I try exotic pantyhose.  It’s been a while that I wanted to try this brand, but I just couldn’t get it anywhere for obvious reasons – this label is only available in Eastern Europe and is not designed for export. Грация label, in Cyrillic letters, would not sell anywhere else.

I passed through Moscow for work and I visited an old friend of mine, Natasha.  She greeted me wearing beautiful black pantyhose.  Later she returned, complaining that she got a run in them, but saying that they lasted her many wears.  I asked what brand it was and she said – Грация (Gracia).

Next day I had to leave, so I didn’t even know if I’ll have a chance to buy myself this brand.  So just in case I asked her if I could have those pantyhose, just to try them on.  She didn’t mind me asking, but she didn’t want to give me something that was already damaged.  Actually she even looked through her pantyhose drawer and pulled out many 40 den pantyhose of different colours by the same brand, looking for another sheer pair, but she had none left.  Realizing how much I wanted to try it, she even offered me to ship a pair to Canada, but I declined, since I didn’t want her to go through the hassle.

pantyhose by Gracia Russian brand with reinforced toesLuckily, I found a pair of pantyhose by brand in a store – the style displayed on the photo above, 20 den, sheer to waist, with reinforced toe.  I asked for whatever colour they had, except for black – turned out they had Mocca.  Fine, I took it, but I must admit it looks more like dark tan rather than real Mocca.

Somehow for my whole trip it was really cold, so I was walking around in 40 den pantyhose.  But on my flight back to Vancouver I decided to lighten up and look glamorous, since a special someone was supposed to meet me at the airport.

I put on Gracia pantyhose for the first time in the morning, getting ready for my flight.  Let’s just say, I was a little nervous since I never tried that brand and besides Natasha’s positive feedback had no idea if it will survive for such a long period.  What if I end up with a huge run in them?

pantyhose by Gracia Russian brand with reinforced toes close up 2Reinforced toe already cheered me up, at least that means it’s more durable in that section.  Interestingly, it had a thick border at the beginning of the reinforcement, almost like a statement saying that the toe section begins!  Also, I noticed that the band was quite broad and elastic and held on well.  It didn’t have a control top, but a t-top with a cotton gusset.

That proved to be very good eventually because I never felt like I had to pull up these pantyhose throughout my flight and two transfers.  It survived at least 24 hours on me and when I took it off it had no runs or holes.  Excellent quality!  Now the only regret I have is that I didn’t buy more.

After checking the website of the manufacturer, I realized that they have some really nice advertisements.  Here are some of their pantyhose ads.  Do you notice that they feature only skin-tone and black colours?

 

 

Nicole’s Love for Ultra Sheer Pantyhose

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Nicole is a stylish cross dresser from London and she has a rare preference for ultra sheer pantyhose, like 8 den or less.  I am very impressed and curious to find out why she likes it so much.

 


Q:  What’s the advantage of 8 den over 15 den? Both are sheer to me.

I have always like nude or natural shades, rather than darker sheer tights (pantyhose across the pond).

The look I try and achieve with my sheers is for a perfect skin tone match so it looks like I have only got ‘make-up’ for the legs.

Depending on how much sun or if I have been using a bronzing moisturiser, my skintone fluctuates a little. Sometimes it’s never quite a good match.

I find that 15-20 Denier whilst quite sheer do give quite a good leg / imperfection coverage. However, the challenge is always in finding ‘just right’ nude / natural shades. If my skin colouring has got a perfect match then 15s or so will be invisible.

Too dark and it can look either a bit orange – or too ‘American Tan’. Too pale, and it looks powdery.

With tights 10 denier or less, because they are so light and translucent, if I’m not a perfect skintone match for any of my varying (and embarrassingly large collection of sheers in slightly varying natural shades) then 7 or 8 denier will still work,

Additionally, as I am sure you know even sheers give you a layer. In the warmer months, some manufacturers make ‘cooling’ tights. Again – they are ultra sheer – and now they are all run resistant.

 

Q:  Do you feel more feminine wearing 8 den rather than 20 den?

I guess so – I like my tights so sheer and tone matched that I’m practically challenging people to notice. Essentially, nylons are a very feminine statement no matter if they are invisible or not. I am a complete addict and I will wear them with my male clothes, for work, with jeans – and the ubiquitous lycra that i wear for pilates, dance etc. I wax, and as any lover of nylons will tell you – sheers + smooth skin is a fairly unique sensation – though you do get used to it.

I started my cross-dressing journey at 12, and the thing that first tempted me to it was curiosity regarding wanting to try sheers on. In that respect, they do make me feel more feminine, what ever I choose to be wearing – dressed fully as a woman, or even partly. I like to have a little bit of this side to me at all times – but when I am dressed male – they are more a little reminder to myself.

As for higher deniers, I wear upto 80 denier when its very cold, and my favourite opaques are my Wolford Satin 50s

 

Q:  This is such a delicate garment.  What do you do to avoid runs?

Runs tend to be caused either by catching them on your clothes, your shoes or just by having a sharp toe or rough heels, especially in the under 10 denier weights.

I don’t use hosiery gloves firstly, but I take my watch and any jewellery off first. We all know (or in my case learned by trial and error) how to put them on properly, and I careful with zips etc with skirts, pants and jeans.

As well as my regular waxing, my beautician gives an excellent pedicure. So my heels get carefully exfoliated and then moisturised. A gel pedicure stops snaggy nails too.

The rest is just ‘wear with care!’

 

Q:  I notice that on your blog you put a special emphasis on hosiery-related topics.  What is it about hosiery that you like so much?

I have always thought of hosiery as a fantastic treat and an amazing garment. Personally, I love the fabric, stretchiness, and the sensation of the fabric on my skin. I like the impression of hiding imperfections – or providing warmth or colour and expressing myself with some of the interesting patterns. They finish off an outfit and I wouldn’t feel properly dressed without them – especially when I’m in a skirt or heels! The fact that such a fantastic sensation and luxurious sensation is traditionally closed to guys is a terrible shame!

Finally – they are what attracted me to dressing, clothes and shoes – and along with my dancewear, lycra etc – they are and will be my first love!

 

Nicole’s Blog:  http://crossdresssecret.blogspot.com

*Friends, please be kind to the sponsor ads as this is the main source of funding for my blog.  Revenue from these ads makes it possible for me to spend more time writing.*

Coco Chanel and Suntan Stockings

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Before Coco Gabrielle Chanel, suntan was something associated with peasants and women tried to avoid it at all costs.

But thanks to her, she put an end to that trend and even came out with her own line of tan stockings by Chanel.  Even up to this day, Chanel brand still offers hosiery.

Interesting Point:

Did you know that before she became a fashion legend, Coco Chanel used to work as a clerk in a small hosiery shop? Legends do start small! From humble beginnings to grandeur!

Career: Clerk, Au Sans Pareil hosiery shop, Moulins, 1902-04

This Chanel design in the photo has been copied and re-created by so many different brands. But nothing looks the same as Chanel.

*dear friends, please visit the SHOP section – this is what funds this blog*

Hosiery to suit the season and the occasion

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A young woman in lingerie is browsing through her pantyhose while getting ready for work.

Nowadays, hosiery comes in a huge variety of different styles and colours, which means that the modern woman has a lot of freedom when it comes to what she wears on her legs every season.

However, this variety also means that it is easy to get carried away and choose something that is not appropriate for the occasion.

For example, if you are a professional woman, going to work in a place with a dress code, you should avoid wearing bright colours or ‘busy’ patterns. These can make you look less professional, and if they clash with your outfit, the effect can be even worse.

According to the etiquette book I’ve read recently, in their hosiery section they suggest for business women to wear light colour like beige or tan hosiery in the summer and black or charcoal in winter.

This is how I keep my pantyhose – in original packaging stacked in a box for easy retrieval.

I strongly suggest to keep your hosiery well organized.  If this is something that you wear a lot, it is a good idea to have plenty of it and keep it well arranged patterns separately, stay ups separately, and so on.

That way, if you have been relaxing in the morning over breakfast and realize that you are almost late for work, you will not have the disastrous realization that you are out of proper hosiery.

If you have some damaged hosiery that you fixed and still wear with boots or under pants, make sure it is kept in a separate bag all together from all the good ones.  As you know, I am a big fan of recycling myself.

I strongly suggest to keep flawed pantyhose (that are to be worn with boots or under pants) separately from the new ones. You don’t want to be late for work in the morning because you had to sort through a pile of hosiery.

 

If you are not into separating it, it’s better to throw it away because  there is nothing worse than putting on a pair of hosiery and arriving to work, only to notice that they have a run in from the last time your wore them.

Knowing how fragile the hosiery can be, it is suggested to keep an extra pair in your purse or at your desk.  I also found this being mentioned in the etiquette book that I’ve read.

On the weekends, you can be more adventurous with your hosiery, perhaps going for some colours or patterns.  We all get tired from our work clothes.

zverni uvagu show putting on pantyhose

Keep in mind the season and the occasion.

But hey, even when not at  work, it is a still important to make sure that the rest of your outfit goes will with them in order to avoid looking like a clown.  A rule of thumb is that if you are wearing patterns in your clothing, your hosiery must be plain.  If you are wearing plain clothing, then you can consider adding patterned hose to complete the outfit.

*Friends, the only funding for this blog is from the shop section.  Please indulge your pantyhose obsession and show some support for my work!  Your purchases make this blog possible.*