Stockings Or Pantyhose – The Great Debate!
It’s a subject we hear discussed often by crossdressers : do you prefer sensual stockings with a traditional steel-clip garter belt or do you prefer something a little more functional and convenient to use like pantyhose? There’s no doubt that that the sexy feel of a pair of nylons gently caressing the fresh-shaved skin on your legs as you gently pull them on is hard to beat. Added to which the sensual clipping of each garter to your stockings and then the excitement and even vulnerable feeling from wearing them under a dress or skirt.
Equally, we have many fans of pantyhose especially as these days they are no longer just the utilitarian, practical garments used by mothers and grandmothers. Today the variety of pantyhose styles ensures you can find something that has the convenience for quick dressing of tights and yet are just as sensual to wear as a pair of stockings. One of the most popular styles of pantyhose of the past few years are those with an integrated garter belt.
Bottom line is, for the vast majority crossdressing would not be as much of a sensual experience as it is without sheer hosiery. As well as the sexy feel of stockings, pantyhose and stay-ups, hosiery often is one of the finishing touches to an outfit and can make a big difference. Choose the wrong heels and hosiery and you blow the chance to make a real statement and lift that outfit to the realms of super-sexy. High heels and correctly fitting stockings that shape your legs are a stunning addition that everyone should try.
With so many different types of hosiery available and benefits to both pantyhose and stockings, it should be possible to find something to fit every occasion and body type. From ultra-sheer stockings or stay-ups like European-made Levante for that extra special night out to full-coverage glossy opaque pantyhose for non-shave legs or legs with imperfections you can find everything you need these days, even for bigger and taller girls. What should you choose? Here we try to help you make the right decision to make sure you look the best you can with the right product choice whether it be pantyhose or stockings.
If dressing indoors only then considerations with regards shaving or not are not as important as those girls that go out. Pantyhose or stocking, sheer or opaque are decisions that are not as important since the only person to please is you. But if you do venture out then a girl must look the part and to make an outfit ‘pop’ correct choice of hosiery is paramount if you want to be noticed for all the right reasons. Can you shave/remove hair? Are you going out during day or night or both? Do you have unsightly veins, bruising or other marks that will show up under sheer hosiery and possibly detract from the look you wish to achieve?
Hair Removal
For most this is a case of a good wet shave. Make sure you have the right tools for the job to obtain as close a shave as possible without nicking your legs to cause unsightly cut-marks. Some are lucky enough to be able to use electrolysis and there is, of course, an abundance of herbal and chemical hair removers available but be careful to check any substance on a small area of skin first in case you have a reaction. If in the fortunate position to be able to remove your hair then wear sheers or even ultra-sheers to show off the shape of your legs particularly if you are blessed with a sexy-shaped pair. There is nothing like wearing a pair of sheer stay-ups or even better, stockings with a sensual garter-belt. Don’t choose the cheapest options – spend in the mid-range for a good pair of European stockings especially if you are on the taller side. If you cannot shave and/or have leg imperfections then a good opaque pair of pantyhose will work or multiple layers. For a ‘healthy’ look we love the look of a full-gloss pair of opaque pantyhose that are not only hard-wearing but are more flattering to the leg shape.
Leg Makeup
It is possible to find leg foundation these days and if not you can use a good quality cream based foundation like HP1. But with the choice of pantyhose and stockings available and since a lot of the fun of dressing is putting on hosiery prefer the quick option of wearing a sensual garment.
Day or Night Wear
Unless you are blessed with hairless legs with no blemishes at all then the chances are that for daytime wear you will have to be a little more conservative with your choice i.e. rather than ultra-sheers choose a pair of sheer or semi-opaques that still flatter the legs but also help to mask some of the little imperfections most of us have. Night time and you can go as sheer as you like provided you have done the correct preparation. Again, we are more partial to a sexy pair of sheer stockings and garter belt or even just a pair of ultra-sheer stay-ups from Levante. However, the pantyhose with integrated garter belt you can find now in many different styles is also a really sexy addition to anyone’s hosiery drawer.
You can now find multi-patterned pantyhose and stockings and the colors available are very extensive. If going the patterned route try to stick to patterns that go up and down the leg rather than around the leg. Unless you have very thin legs the patterns that go around the leg can tend to make your legs look heavier which is not a look many of us are trying to achieve. Don’t be scared of seemed stocking or pantyhose either that give a classic retro and very sexy look and accentuate the leg length. The little extra time to straighten the seams is worth it and it’s fun to play with your hosiery.
There you have it; a few pointers to help you make the right decision of stockings versus pantyhose. The great thing about hosiery though is it is a relatively inexpensive addition to your wardrobe. Choose correctly, and you get a lot of visual bang for your buck. Enjoy!