We heard you …
A few weeks ago, we ran a story exploring whether or not nude sheer panty hose are out of style.
Most fashion insiders say hose are a no-no, but one industry expert said they are ripe for a comeback. We put readers to the test and asked them to vote for their favorite leg wear (nude sheer hose, black sheer hose, bare leg or black opaque tights) with four different shoes (gray ballet flat, black low heel, black casual sandal and black dressy sandal).
Answers were across the board with no clear winners. But bare legs for both the casual and dressy sandals were shoo-ins.
Here’s what a few women had to say:
“I was born in 1950, so my idea of what looks good may be way off from the preferences of, say, a woman in her 20s or 30s. I can’t imagine though, that anyone would think that toes wrapped in nylon is a good look. I gave up panty hose about 20 years ago … too much trouble.
Now I wear only Birkenstocks or other comfy clogs, with socks and jeans or pants, in the cold weather and bare legs with one of my couple dozen pairs of Birkenstock sandals, from approximately April into October.”
— Maureen McKenna
“I have somewhat sworn off traditional panty hose (nude or otherwise), except in limited dressy circumstances when wearing pumps. Instead, I favor high-cotton-content tights and leggings in the winter.
While I am sympathetic to your quandary about sandals, I admit that I have answered the sandal question definitively: no hose. I agree with Donna Senk (of Paparazzi in Watertown): just make sure your feet are clean and well groomed (which is no small feat — no pun intended — for some of us.
Honestly, nude hose do not provide much warmth in the winter anyway. Hope Greenberg (of Lucky magazine) does have a point, however, that tights look good with some sandals (high-heeled platforms with wide straps seem to work best). But that’s a harder look to carry off for women of the late-40s set (in which I find myself). Although your poll is provocative, the decision on hose depends on more than the shoe. It depends on the rest of the outfit, too (as your article seems to acknowledge). But I vote for no hose all around!”
— Joan Heminway
“Sometimes you can away with a cute legging with some lace on the cuff to keep warm with an open-toe shoe.”
— Susan Clemente
Now, we’re asking …
I’ll never forget the taupe dress. Sure, the bridal shop tried to sell it as “champagne,” but who wants to wear the color of Dom Perignon? I’d just as soon sport gowns inspired by Bacardi rum or Country Time lemonade.
A few of my fellow bridesmaids tried to reason with the bride. “I thought you were thinking green …?” we prodded. No luck. She was sold on the least complementing, blandest color imaginable.
Have I mentioned my red hair and pale skin? I looked like a ghost. But the gown did fit me well. It should have. I spent $150 on it and endured three fittings. Naturally, I can’t bring myself to throw the thing out, even if it’s been five years and I have three other dresses in my closet.
We want to know:
Describe the worst bridesmaid dress you’ve had to wear. Better yet, send a picture.
What have you done with the dress?
How many times have you been a bridesmaid?
Contact Carrie MacMillan at cmacmillan@rep-am.com or write Republican-American, c/o Carrie MacMillan, 389 Meadow St., Waterbury, CT 06722.