How to Buy Pantyhose

Pantyhose. The right pair can add shapeliness to your legs, tone your tummy and give your body a smooth look under clothing. The wrong pair will bunch up or roll around your waist, making you uncomfortable all day. Here's how to buy pantyhose.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Choose the right size. If you don't know your weight, you might be buying a size too small for you, which could leave elastic marks around your waist, or too big, which might mean "elephant legs" or a rolling waist. Step on the scale so you'll know which size to buy.

2. Consider which features to buy. You can buy control-top pantyhose, pantyhose with built in body slimmers that go all the way down to your thighs, toeless pantyhose that can be worn with sandals, thigh highs, support hose or pantyhose with no shaping at all. If you'll be sitting at a desk all day, those control top panels and body slimmers can be uncomfortable after a few hours. On the other hand, break them out for the class reunion.

3. Consider the fabric. You can buy ultra-sheer hose for the "barely there" look. You also can choose softer, cotton-blend opaque hose or a heavier, more durable pantyhose that lasts wash after wash. Ultra-sheer hose might look the best, but they are the least soft and most likely to tear several minutes after you take them out of the package.

4. Glance through fashion magazines to see what colors and styles are in vogue. Pantyhose that seem pretty much invisible generally are fashionable. Opaque tights are both in vogue and practical in fall, when they keep bare legs warm under short skirts. Black hose works with formalwear.

5. Do some research before selecting a brand. Read user reviews on Buzzillions.com and ask other women who wear pantyhose regularly which brands and styles they return to regularly. Once you find a favorite brand, it might be the only one you buy in the future.

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[WendyBergman]

on 1/3/2009 I find fewer and fewer department stores have staff that have the time or knowledge to show and talk about pantyhose. I usually buy them at a drugstore or a specialty lingerie store for fishnets.

[DelanyDecolleur]

on 7/18/2008 These are good recommendations, but also go to a major department store where the sales people can help you with samples of color and denier (sheer to opaque). Look at websites like Delany Decolleur or other fashion pantyhose websites with models wearing different styles. Low rise control top are very comfortable for all day wear.