Taking public transport

Had to send the car for servicing one day.  I was wearing t-shirt with my black 3/4 cargo pants.  I also wore my Suntan Sheer Energy sheer support hosiery.   I drove the car to the workshop and did the usual registration at the counter and spoke to the service engineer.  After that, I had to take public transport back home with my family.   The sun was shining brightly and I was sure the shine on my legs would have been quite noticeable to passer-bys, but no one seemed to noticed.

Boarded the bus to get to the nearest MRT and I had to stand .  During the entire journey, there were times when the bus stopped at traffic lights and the sun was shining directly at my legs.  THe bus wasn't crowded and there were people seating directly opposite of where I was standing.  Still no long stares.

The whole experience was quite exhilarating as that was the first time wearing sheer hose with 3/4 pants on public transport in broad daylight.   I must say that it was also a big confidence booster.  

Just wear and be confident about it.

        

Another day in hose and bermudas

Went for dinner with my family at Ichiban Boshi (Japanese Restaurant).  I was wearing a round neck t-shirt with 3/4 cargo pants.  I had on Sheer Energy support hosiery in Suntan colour.  Sat down at a brightly lit table and no one seems to notice that I had hosiery on my legs.   The air-conditioning in the restaurant was a little cold and the hosiery kind of kept my legs warm.

After dinner, we went to walk around a little at the shopping centre, and met an old friend and he did not seem to notice.  Probably because the hosiery was in suntan colour and it matches with my skin tone quite well.  

Had a good time with family.

NIcely hosed for shopping

Today I had to fetch my wife to the airport.  Was wearing Solidea support hosiery (in paprika colour, like suntan for Sheer Energy) with 3/4 cargo bermudas.  This pair of hose are smooth and had a slight shine in them.  Legs looked and felt great in those support hose.  We had breakfast at Terminal 2 McDonalds.  No second looks from those standing behind me when placing my orders.  Met up with her group of colleagues who are traveling together and none of them too a 2nd look at my legs.  

After sending her off at the airport, I went with my boys to Robinsons to get some health supplements.  Parked the car at Orchard Central and took the underpass over.  As it was early, the place was pretty quiet.  After getting the supplements, we walked back to Orchard Central and made our way to 313 Sommerset and the sun was shining brightly.  By this time, a small crowd were already outside 313 Sommerset.  Surprisingly, even under the sun, no one noticed!!!

All in all, it was a good outing with the boys and we had a good time.  

Study shows you should wear pantyhose ...

A study published by the New England Journal of Medicine touted some remarkable claims in life extension and cancer research.

The theory behind the study comes from a Johns Hopkins University study that found a correlation between telangiectasias (spider veins) and longevity. An ancient oriental cure was to bind the legs of the afflicted person. It not only aided, but often cured this malady. The side-effects of which were noted to be: reduced sicknesses, longevity and a recovery of strength.

The trick to 'ancient leg binding' was not to bind the legs too tight, restriction of blood flow is not what is intended here. Systolic blood pressure in the two major arteries of the body has to be increased, but not restricted. 

Pantyhose seem to achieve this perfectly. The correct systolic blood pressure (systolic blood pressure is maximum pressure exerted when the heart contracts) forces the plaque build-up out of the heart and arteries harmlessly into the liver to be filtered. It also prevents cancerous cells from attaching themselves to the pulminary walls or other cells.

The increased speed of the blood flow without constant calistentation (extreme exersize) not only improves the purifying process but also (in effect) 'wipes clean' the interior vascular (vein) linings. 

So .... a little compression on your legs by wearing support pantyhose could do your health some good.  

When to recommend men to wear support tights or pantyhose?

Men, who have a need for the leg support benefits (eg. DVT symptoms, medical conditions), should wear them just about all the time.  It's important that support legwear be put on as soon as you arise in the morning, before leg tissue begins to swell and blood begins pooling.  When one finds a comfortable style to wear, this presents no problem however.  The relief from discomfort provided will feel so good that most men will look forward to donning their support hose in the morning and leaving them on all day. 

Sports activity and outdoor recreation, where support for leg muscles are needed, are also occasions for wearing support tights or pantyhose.  Furthermore, sporting tights usually cost so much more than support tights/pantyhose. 


Men, who wear medical-grade compression hosiery will tend to wear them under long pants, due to the unattractive appearance of the medical-grade compression hosiery.  The non-medical grade, support hosiery (like the ones from Solidea or ActivSkin) are much less noticeable and provides a subtle appearance that easily blends in with the skin.  Though Solidea are marketed more for women.  Many men wear them  with shorts or even with 3/4 capri pants when weather permits.  Wearing support hose with 3/4 pants or shorts is actually quite suitable for hot-weathered places.  With 3/4 pants or shorts, wearing skin coloured support hosiery is actually not very noticeable.  Either people are not observant to see them, or they just bother to see.  Of course, the more adventurous men would wear hose in other colours like black, brown, etc.

Admittedly, it is still fairly rare to see a guy wearing shorts with his hose.  However, this is changing rapidly.  More blogs and discussion groups are popping up on the internet to document this trend.

I myself wear sheer support hosiery with shorts on a regular basis, like going to top-up petrol, watching movies (great for keeping legs warm in the cinemas). Even wear them when I exercise (at home though).

The barrier has been broken some time ago for men wearing tights, with all the running and cycling wear to be found in any sporting goods store.  NBA players have worn them in games, as well as football players in practices.  It's not difficult to imagine them blending into general use a few years down the road.  Legwear could one day be as fashionable as the green movement is today.

A walk in the park

It was a Saturday morning and wife was bringing one of the boys to an excursion to Hort Park, while I brought the younger boy for his chiropractic session.  I was wearing my 3/4 capri cargo pants with Leggs Sheer Energy hosiery (in suntan colour).

No 2nd looks at the chiropractic clinic.  The session was over in like 10 mins.  So I was to go to Hort Park to meet my wife and elder son.   By then the morning sun was already shining brightly.  Walking under the sun would mean that those hose would definitely "glow".

The park was not very crowded, with some groups of tourists and children running around the playground. It was a nice walk from the carpark to the playground and there was no shelter to prevent the sun from shining on my hosed legs.  Bravely walked past groups of tourists and some small families.  Did not noticed anyone taking a 2nd look.  Maybe those Leggs Sheer Energy did not "glow" as much from their angle of view.  

Overall, it was a very pleasant day at the park and the boys really enjoyed themselves running around the playground.

Questions about men wearing pantyhose - Part 2

Q: With women hating pantyhose because they're uncomfortable, why men want to wear support pantyhose? 
A: One of the biggest reasons that women find pantyhose uncomfortable is because they either don't buy the right size for themselves, or they buy cheap ($2.99) pantyhose that not only don't last long, but also tend to itch and bind.  Cheap hosiery may also droop and sag, which can be really annoying. Women also think the support and/or control top styles of pantyhose are overly constrictive and are difficult to put on.  

All of the foregoing issues would certainly make anyone think twice or even thrice before wearing such a garment.  However, if the support or control top pantyhose is bought in the right size according to your height and weight, the snug fit of support hosiery with a control top need not feel constricting.  Matching your height to the size of the pantyhose will ensure that the length of the pantyhose fits just right and that means a snug fit at the crotch area, no sagging.  Then matching your weight will ensure a snug, not overly tight fit of the pantyhose around your waist an hips.  I find that control top pantyhose actually fits better than non-control top pantyhose.  No sagging.  

Men also tend to be more truthful about size when it comes to buying support hosiery, while women tend to under-size their hosiery.  Get the right size and the fit will be so nice and snug that you can forget you are wearing them.  

Questions about men wearing pantyhose - Part 1

Q: What are the actual benefits to men who wear pantyhose?

A: The potential benefits are many and varied. I myself first began wearing them to help ease leg fatigue as I sit for long hours at the desk and also had to endure long drives to work (sometimes up to 2 hours due to heavy traffic). The support pantyhose/tights helped alleviate the "tired, heavy feeling" and the achiness due to long periods of being seated in the chair. Many men who work in jobs that keep them on their feet all day, or are sitting for long stretches, find benefits in wearing support style pantyhose/tights.

Many men who begin wearing support hose or tights later discovered that they're great for relieving leg aches and helps provide improved blood circulation in the legs. Support style tights or pantyhose also provide light muscle compression that helps ward off muscle cramps and enhance stamina.

Apart from the added support for the legs, I also find that the pantyhose/tights provided the needed warmth in the cold air-conditioning of the office.

More questions and answers to come ... stay tuned.

How to dry your tights/hosiery faster?

Ever wished that your tights/pantyhose would dry faster, especially if you are on an overseas trip? If you ha an hotel room and there's a heater in the room during Fall/Winter, then you are lucky. What if there isn't a heater in the room?

One way I found to be quite useful is to use a thick bath towel. Those that the hotel provided are good enough.

First, you would wash your tights/hosiery as you would normally do. By hand and with warm water, with a little travel wash. Before you hand those clean, soaking wet tights over the clothes line over the bath tub, get hold of a bath towel.

What you want to do is to lay the tights/pantyhose flat on the bath towel. Then roll the bath towel with the pantyhose/tights in it. Then give the rolled up bath towel a good wring to squeeze the water out of the pantyhose/tights. Then hang the hose on the clothes line over the bath tub.

Amazingly, the tights/pantyhose would be dry the next morning or within the next 12 hours, without the use of the heater!! Works for me every time.

Tights, tights, tights ... Finding the right one

Tights are must-have items in everybody's wardrobe, but they don't always fit the way you'd like. Some tights are too tight around the waist. Some tend to crawl down from your waist and sag at the crotch every time you sit or bend over. Some just don't feel right on your feet, causing your toes or heels to become sore after long wear.

Though you might find it difficult to buy just the right fit, you still have to go through the pain-staking process of shopping for tights occasionally. These tips help you a little and may even allow you to enjoy wearing tights!

Sizing Charts

Most tights packaging will include a sizing chart to give you an idea of what size to buy. It will usually indicate which hose to buy based on height and weight. Keep in mind that this chart or grid is only a starting point for finding the right fit. Buying hosiery sometimes requires a little trial and error before you find the perfect brand and size to meet your needs. Some brands tend to fit smaller than what's indicated on the chart, so you might have to choose a size larger for these to fit comfortably. For example, Pretty Polly and Aristoc pantyhose are designed for women sized 5' - 5'10" whereas Falke products are generally designed for women who are 5' - 6' tall.

Consider Your Waist Line

If you're short-waisted and thin, then you might not have to worry too much about the tights edging down from your waistline as you move around. But if you're a little on the chubby side with a long waist, this can happen quite often. In this case, you may want to choose control top for better support around your waist and belly. This too might require trial and error, meaning you might have to buy a pair from several brand companies before finding the perfect fit.

Tights for All Needs

Every one has different needs when it comes to tights. So, the selection and the reason for buying tights may differ. It's a good idea to shop on your own and do your own research instead of depending on the advice of others.

If you have blood circulation problems in your legs or have to stand for long hours on the job. You'll need special support hose to help keep your legs healthy. Keep in mind that today there are massage , weight loss , modeling tights and other styles designed to meet special needs for every woman and even men. Women and men in career fields where a lot standing and/or sitting is required (such as nurses or office personnel) are always advised to buy good quality support hose. You will likely have to spend more than usual on one pair of hose to get better support, but these tend to last much longer. You can't put a price tag on having good health.

When shopping for tights online, only order one pair from a particular brand for starters to be sure it provides a comfortable, supportive fit. You might order one pair from several top brands to try each for a few days and see which one you like best. Once you find the right brand and size, you can order a few more pair to have on standby.

Most importantly, enjoy wearing your tights!!!

So many choices ... which pair to buy?

So ... you decided you want to buy some hosiery. How difficult could that be? Just pop by any store that sells hosiery and find your color, your size and presto you're done. Right? Not anymore. With the many options on the market today, what used to be a simple task can now be a bit confusing. It seems as though that hosiery manufacturers are determined to woo the female population back to the pantyhose era, an some may even start a men's version.

There are simply too many choices like Ultra Sheer, Day Sheer/Business Sheer, Spandex Sheer, Circulation Enhancing, Shimmer/Glimmer and Opaques/Tights, just to name a few, in a myriad of brands and colors.

With so much choices, how do you choose hosiery that flatter your body? The following are key points to consider when doing so:

1) SIZING:

a) Sizing is not standardized among hosiery manufacturers. This means that an "A" is not always an "A" or a "B" a "B" and so forth. Be sure to read hosiery packaging carefully. Match your height first then your weight according to the size chart on the hosiery's packaging. Height first so that the length of the pantyhose/tights is long enough. Weight is next, so that the fit is snug. If you are between sizes, then either go 1 size up or down depending on how tight a fit you prefer.

2) CLASSIFICATION:

a) Ultra sheer: For those of you who dare to be almost bare. These are particularly sheer, and allow your skin tone to show through. These should be handled carefully due to the low denier rating which makes the hose extremely delicate.

b) Day Sheer/Business Sheer: A bit less sheer than Ultra sheer, but are durable enough to be worn daily.

c) Spandex Sheer: For the less daring, this mix of nylon and spandex still offers a silky, smooth feel. They are a bit more durable and also an option for daily wear.

d) Circulation Enhancing: (aka support hose) A nylon and yarn combination that's slightly heavier. It supports and lessens leg fatigue with a tender application of force to important parts on the leg. This pressure has a massaging effect that increases leg circulation. These are great for people (women and men) who stand or sit for long hours during the day. Really helps.

e) Shimmer/Glimmer: These shimmer when hit by the light. They are perfect for showing up the shape of the legs. Recommended but not restricted to evening wear. You will be amazed how nice your legs will look and feel.

f) Opaques/Tights: For the less daring or those seeking warmth. These offer complete coverage, additional warmth and in darker colors present a leaner look for the leg. These also provide coverage to hide scars on legs.

g) Control Top Pantyhose: To shape and lift the buttocks and flatten the stomach. Quick way to cut inches off.

Can you tell the difference?

Tights and leggings. Can you tell the difference? These 2 words seem to be used interchangeably nowadays, but there are some differences between them. The only thing similar about the two is that both are leg-wear.

1. Material - Tights (UK) or pantyhose (US) are made usually from a mixture of nylon, spandex and lycra. Leggings are generally made from a mixture of cotton, lycra. Tights/pantyhose are thinner than leggings. Leggings tend to be less stretchable compared to tights/pantyhose.

2. Durability - Leggings tend to be more durable due to its thickness and material used. Sheer tights are the lest durable, while opaque tights offer better durability to sheer tights.

3. Sheerness - Leggings are more opaque and hence people tend to wear them as pants, though leggings are not pants.

Oh, leggings are usually footless while tights/pantyhose are footed leg-wear.

Which one to wear? That will depend on the outfit you are wearing. With a long T-shirt or tunic, leggings are fine. With a dress, skirt, shorts .. tights (sheer or opaque) are better.