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I bought this blazer years ago at a random little clothing shop in North Hollywood. You heard me right; it’s corduroy. I don’t like corduroy when it’s the typical 70s throwback style, but this one is made from very tiny micro-corduroy lines. It looks a bit like velvet but without the sheen.
The fancy blouse you see is really just a silk scarf which I tied into a bow. I wore a white t-shirt underneath and used Fashion Tape to keep the trailing ends of the scarf tacked to the neckline of the shirt so the shirt doesn’t show. The brooch was $2.99 at Michael’s. It’s very cheap and will probably start to lose rhinestones within a few wearings, but at that price it’s worth just enjoying for a short time. The lace pencil skirt is from Target.
I finally found a high-quality brand of back-seam hosiery, which happened to be right under my nose the whole time. You might remember my disappointment in the pricey Frederick’s back-seam stockings due to their pathetic quality. Last time I was stocking up (no pun intended) on fishnets and sheer stockings on the Hue Web site, it dawned on me to check whether they offer a back-seam variety. They do! But only in pantyhose, not stockings. I promptly ordered a pair, and am delighted to announce that they are the same smooth, sleek, luxurious quality as the rest of the Hue line.
However, I’m going to indulge in a little rant here. Not about Hue, but about pantyhose (the ones that go up to your waist) versus stockings (thigh-highs). You see, I wear stockings 95% of the time. Even most of my opaque tights get converted into stockings via my sewing machine (I cut off the legs and sew on the old lace bands from retired sheer stockings [this only works with heavy tights, not sheer pantyhose]). Not only are stockings infinitely more comfortable (as long as they fit properly), but they last longer too.
First, let’s address the comfort factor. A well-fitting band around the thigh that doesn’t squeeze or slip is totally undetectable by the wearer throughout the day. Whether they have the stay-up rubber stuff in them or require garters, I can wear stockings for 12+ hours easily without even realizing they are there. Pantyhose, on the other hand, invariably have a too-tight waistband that pinches and binds and causes unnecessary lumpiness, even on a ridiculously tiny person like me. Make them “control top” as most of them seem to be these days, and let’s just make the binding and lumpiness worse!
Now, let’s move on to the issue of durability. Okay, all sheer hosiery are going to be quite delicate. With stockings, at least you only have to put them on once and they stay put for the day (again, assuming they fit correctly). Unless your legs come into contact with some nefarious object that they shouldn’t be coming into contact with, they don’t stand any risk of sustaining damage once they are in place. With pantyhose, you’ve gotta deal with them all day long every time you go “down the hall” (That’s what we call it at work. The ladies in my office used to constantly announce “I’m going pee” until I made them stop 10 years ago. Dignity, please!) So, __(insert however many times you go “down the hall” in an average day here)__ times per day you have to tug your pantyhose around and rearrange them. Each time, you risk snagging them with your rings or putting a fingernail right through them. I’m lucky if I can wear a pair of pantyhose twice without ruining them. And once one leg has a run, the whole pair is trash (yeah, I’ve heard the tip about cutting the bad legs off of two pairs, but then we have TWO binding waistbands to contend with).
I do realize that some women find pantyhose more comfortable than stockings, so my message is this: To all the hosiery manufacturers of the world, please please offer all of your hosiery selections in both stocking and pantyhose versions, so us ladies can choose what is most comfortable to each of us without having to sacrifice style or quality.
I promise to return to my regular non-ranting self for my next post, when I can assure you I’ll be wearing a nice, comfy pair of thigh-highs. Thanks for listening. 
Where do you stand on the Pantyhose versus Stockings issue?
Interesting thoughts on pantyhose and stockings. :} You might be shocked to hear that I actually wear multiple pairs of pantyhose at once when the weather requires that; living in Finland and wanting to wear skirts all year round require extreme gear…With weather permitting, I don't have such a strong preference over either one. I totally agree with your proposal to the manufacturers, it would be really nice to have fancy hosiery in both stocking and pantyhose versions. (Yet my worst nightmare is browsing a stocking section of a webstore, noticing a lovely style and finding out the product is actually a pair of leggings!)Since most of my stockings and pantyhose face their end having received damage somewhere in the foot part, the difference between those two isn't remarkable for me. Yet a damaged pair of pantyhose can always be worn underneath a neat pair for the warmth, but sheer, delicate stockings with holes in the toes are pretty much a hopeless case already. :/
I'm firmly on the other side of the hose/stockings debate — primarily because of size. I've never found thigh-highs were the elastic top wasn't tortuously tight & didn't threaten to cut off all feeling in my decidedly plus-size legs. Even if it didn't or I used garter belts, I'd have an issue with, ehem, chaffing (so I limit garters to parties, costumes, other short-term wear times, definitely not the office).I'm not a fan of sheer hosiery & prefer opaque tights, but even then, the real issue is that manufacturers don't make much in the range of sizes (which may also be why you don't find ones that are comfortable). So many brands come in 2 or maybe 3 sizes, which, for an intimate garment, is ridiculous! Think if bras came in only 2 or 3 sizes.The one brand of tights that I swear by is Calvin Klein — there are, iirc, 4 size ranges. Plus the material is both durable & stretchy. Only a few styles are control top (& I avoid them!). They fit like a dream, & I feel like I'm wearing nothing extra around my midsection. These tights don't bag at my ankles either. My only complaint is that CK just has basics like black & grey, no fishnets, no colors.More options in hosiery in general would be fantastic for all of us!
You have an excellent idea there – hosiery should come in the option of tights or stockings, not one or the other. I fall on the other side of the debate. I cannot get stockings to stay up on me. I've got larger thighs, but they're muscly thighs because I'm a rather sporty person. I have tried many brands, and they end up either so tight that they're constricting or just rolling down. Garters generally end up with chaffing on me too. As I wear larger sized tights (pantyhose) so that they fit over my long and large legs (I'm just shy of 5'10), and have comparatively narrow waist, they don't pinch or bind too much on me. I do wear stocking on occasions, but they're… more bedroom wear for me than anything I'll wear out the house, because otherwise after I've had to walk or run anywhere, I'll be constantly pulling them up.
I'm on the fence. I'm in Trystan's boat with the pinching-the-thigh- problem, but I'm also almost six feet tall, so pantyhose aren't a great solution, either. They're all about five inches too short. My ideal hosiery solution would be pantyhose with a split nether-region for easy trips down the hall, and that came up all the way to the bottom of the bra strap to eliminate the waist-roll problem. In my ideal universe, they'd have a way to attach to your bra strap, so they wouldn't roll down. Perhaps shoulder straps, a la Spanx. For some reason, the Spanx hose don't seem to have a strap option like their bodyshapers do. Oh, how I adore my bodyshapers. No binding, no rolling.My usual solution is long skirt with leggings and knee high socks, but that's only because I don't have much opportunity to dress in a girly manner.
I think I've tried "stockings" once and it was not fun. I agree with you on the comfort & durability of pantyhose. I don't get lumpiness, but I do find that if the waistband is too thin it will roll down all day long. I rarely wear pantyhose, but I've found that the Legg's brand gives me a good # of wearings for the price and they are decent as far a comfort goes (they're also an exact match for my skin tone). Otherwise I've recently found Assets to be very comfortable with a thick waistband – no rolling. Mostly though I wear fishnets (in nude & black) and American Apparel tights, as they are the most comfortable. Truth be told, I prefer to wear nothing, but with Chicago winters, it's just not possible.
I'm wholeheartedly agreeing with your idea! ^^During the winter, I wear pantyhose, but since I'm rather tall, I have troubles with finding the right size; those for my actual height are too big on my hips and waits, those that fit my waist are too short…and there's nothing more annoying, uncomfortable, awkward and frustrating then slipping, sliding, turning, rolling and twisting pantyhose or the continuous feeling that you have to pull them back up…^^
I had a feeling this post would prompt some good feedback!
I think Trystan hit it right on the head: we need as many shapes and sizes of hosiery as there are shapes and sizes of ladies who wear hosiery! I'm fairly short (5'3" without the crazy heels) so I definitely need to buy the smallest size, but I have some curves so the width is the issue (whoever decided that all short women are straight as a board was insane, or clearly blind). Also, sometimes stockings are just too long on me (I'm talking to you, Victoria's Secret!) so pantyhose aren't the only offenders. 
Thanks to all who have recommended their favorite brands so far! Keep the suggestions coming. We'll all have some new options to try out for the new year.
Tante Fledermaus, I do believe you have invented the perfect hosiery solution! You need to pitch that to Spanx ASAP! I'd buy those at just about any price (as long as they actually came in a reasonable size range).
I really like how your fancy blouse/scarf idea turned out, it looks lovely! The pattern on the skirt is very nice too, I like the subtle detail.I hated pantyhose since childhood, but recently most of the opaque tights I've bought have actually been pretty comfortable. I can't remember the brand right now (I bought them somewhere general at a mall), but I got some pretty good wool ones for winter which are comfortable enough that I've layered them under jeans when it gets really cold. It really does seem to be luck of the draw though, and I still can't stand sheer ones for the most part.
I wear opaque tights or leggings almost every day for two reasons:1. I mostly wear short skirts and prefer to have the full coverage of opaque tights.2. Most shirts are too low-cut for me, so I typically wear a crew-neck tee or tank underneath. Having tights to tuck the undershirt into keeps it from bunching.Trips "down the hall" do require a bit of time to put everything back into place. However, durability isn't an issue for me, maybe because I've had so much practice pulling tights up and down every day.
I usually retire my tights because they are getting worn around the calf where my boots rub them.Opaque black tights that fit are relatively easy to find. Worthington (from JC Penney) and Hue come in 4 or 5 sizes, including one that works for my tall self. Other colors and prints are much more difficult because the tights are always too short. I have to cut through the toes to make leggings, which I then wear with socks and boots. In 14 years of searching for stripey tights that are long enough, I have found them precisely ONE time. I bought a full dozen! The company vanished shortly after that, and eventually all my beloved stripey tights wore out. 
It honestly baffles me that longer tights are so rarely available. Just in these comments, we have four tall ladies who would appreciate properly-sized legwear. Short and tall, big and small, I think we all agree that "one size fits all" and "one style suits all" are both silly concepts.
I wonder what kind of coin it takes to get into the hosiery biz.
Try a drop of super glue on the backs of the rhinestones to keep them in place.I was wondering about your brooch and think it's LOVELY!!!Peace,Sherry
I prefer a nice pair of pantyhose. They keep everything nice and slim. I would consider them my equivalent to a girdle. :3
I personally love the look of stockings and their ability to not be a nuance in the restroom, and don't seem to rip or catch on things as easily for some odd reason. But pantyhose actually stay up, something I have some trouble mastering with stockings. I usually solve said issue by buying patterned fishnet like pantyhose, as they do not have the "control top" issues and don't get caught on things.
Love this topic! Stockings can be very comfy, when you find the right pair – I've had success with Victoria Secrets "stay up" stockings. And pantyhose not only pinch and make bumps they go up to my neck most of the time (being that I'm not quite 5'4" and 140 lbs I buy medium sized tights) – so annoying!I wish they would make pantyhose/ tights that have a comfy lace waistband like my [favorite panties](http://www.victoriassecret.com/ss/Satellite?ProductID=1265646040771&c=Page&cid=1319075842913&pagename=vsdWrapper) – no pinching, no bunching and no panty lines!For now, I'll suffer b/c there are so many neat styles and colors to be had!
I'm on the other side of the debate because I'm far too cold most of the year to have naked thighs! I can relate to the comments from other tall readers about how it would be nice if more brands would make larger sizes.
I absolutely love what you did with the silk scarf!! It's a great idea and adds a bit of a victorian feel to any outfit! I'll definitely gonna try it someday! <3
There's something very retro about this look — very 1940/early 50s Madison Avenue. It's a gorgeous look on you! I agree, I love the look of pinwale — it looks like velvet and feels gorgeously soft. I wore mine yesterday as well. I guess great minds think alike! What a neat idea for the scarf! Ms. Kitty, you are so creative!I prefer pantyhose, especially opaque tights. However, like all the tall gals are saying, I hate the fact that they fancy, cute styles are cut for women who are under 5'5'. I can never find stripes in my size, or woolie ones, or anything fun like that. It's always boring old plain black. Forget fishnets. They run in my size but for some reason are always made to last one night. It's frustrating. Spanx and it's less expensive line, Assets, has been really good to me these past few years. They are starting to "get" that taller and bigger women want to wear fun hose. Here's hoping they continue the trend!
UGH, I just realized that my post is peppered with all sorts of mistakes and grammatical hickups. It's way too early in the morning for me, sorry if I'm completely unintelligible!
Great topic! Personally I love seamed stockings worn with a garter belt. I've always hated pantyhose BUT I'm thinking of getting a pair of black opaque tights as they can be pretty versatile. I don't know if you are interested, but Magnolia Hosiery sells great seamed stockings and they are the cheapest around. Jessica
It's interesting to read all the comments we are so differently shaped! I prefer pantyhose or leggings for everyday use and because the fact my thighs are a bit fat. But I have a lovely collection of vintage backseam stockings I use when there is a special occasion. They have a far better quality than new ones they don't rip and to that i use a vintage garter i bought from new old stock. I really need to do something about my weight now (thinking about all my lovely vintage clothes in the wardrobe)!
I have yet to find a pair of stockings that stay up. My issue seems to be that the band never hits in the right place, because I'm short. Stockings will come up nearly too my crotch even in the smallest size. Hose has its issues too, but it's easier to conceal an overly high waistband than to handle overly tall stockings.
Bane, I do the same thing when I find stockings or tights I like – buy all that I can so I have a stockpile!!Le Professeur, I've seen the pantyhose in the Spanx catalog and they are ADORABLE! I love the swiss dot ones. I'm tempted to buy them just because they look great and I imagine the quality is excellent (although they are quite expensive). I haven't heard of Assets, but I will check them out.Unlacing, stay-up stocking definitely have to be just the perfect fit. You can get garter stockings to stay up better, but then you need a comfortable garter belt (I've made my own in the past, to get the proper blend of comfort and durability).GothBarbie, I wonder why they don't make pantyhose with soft lace bands like that?? Brilliant idea!! I suffer with pantyhose too, when they are cute enough to be worth it (like these Hue backseams!) but if there is a comparable stocking version that fits me, I'll choose that every time.Julianne, cotton pettipants help with the bare thighs in the winter!BlacKat, try the Hue french lace thigh-high stockings. They are very short (the smallest size hits mid-thigh on me at 5'3"). They are also fairly small width-wise, so they work great for those who are generally very petite but probably not for fuller-figured ladies.
I always wear pantyhose to work because it would not be appropriate where I work for someone to see my thigh highs if one were to fall down or if someone happened to see by accident. I also find that stockings that one wears with a garter belt are not great for work for the same reason. Also, being that I am a curvier lady, some thigh-highs tend to give me a bit of a thigh muffin top which can often be seen under a pencil skirt. This is NOT attractive and I would NOT look like this at work (or anywhere). I have a few pairs that fit nicely (they're not work safe) but I have a hard time finding ones that don't pinch too much.
I was also going to say that I really enjoy your style and your blog. I really enjoy how you are able to make the goth style wearable for everyday life and work.
Hey, after reading your little rant about pantyhoses, I thought I'd throw in my tip as well (because I also hate pantyhoses for the obvious reason of them getting ruined soooo quickly!):I just cut off the non-ruined les of two pantyhoses, and then wear them with a garterbelt
If you object to the not-so-classy-look of cut-off-stockings as opposed to the ones that you buy, you can just sew a little bit of cheap stretchy lace around the top, where you cut them off. Just make sure it'll fit around your thigh.:)