Bare Legs/no Pantyhose

I'm 30, a middle school teacher, and pretty darn stylish. I DO go with bare legs in the heat, but I wear pantyhose in the cooler months, and I think it's just fine. I would say the bare legs trend just makes it OKAY to go without stockings, doesn't mean it's NOT okay to wear them.

Do what makes you feel comfortable... THAT will make you stylish :)

HTH
T.

There's a big difference between style and dress codes.
Many employers do not allow open toed shoes and/or bare legs.
They make hosiery with very faint designs on them. I like them. That way my legs are covered. I could never in a million years find hose to match my skin tone so I prefer things that make it look like "I meant to do that".
I have all different colors.

Good luck and best wishes.

No question...Wear the hose for the interview..It is more professional period. You're doing the right thing.

Panty hose are just plain evil! Just buy some gradual self tanner like Jergens. Most of the time I just show the world my white legs. I am blonde and fair so it's not like it's a surprise. If you don't like looking at my white legs, then just stare at my chest. (just kidding). LOL

Don't wear skin-colored hose. Now that it's almost summer and opaque tights would be a bit much, exfoliate/shave your legs really well, and then try the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs. It evens out the skin tone of your legs, gets rid of any little veins or whatever you're concerned about, and gives you a very slight shimmer/tan. It looks great, and you won't look dowdy (which you will, if you wear skin-colored hose). I use it all the time because I have pasty white legs. It doesn't come off on your clothes, even if you sweat or even get it wet. (Comes off with soap and water.) Give it a try and see what you think!

I havent worn pantyhose in ages. Get a good pedicure, shave your legs, and use one of the shimmery tan lotions... like jergens.

Buck the system... wear flesh colored hose with a seam up the back.

Definitely wear pantyhose for an interview. Once you've been working with a company for a while and have figured out the climate of what is acceptable, then you can decide if you want to ditch them or not.

I think I'd look for something a little funky to get around the "datedness" of flesh colored hose. See if you can find some with the seam up the back, or other variations to give them a little personality.

I wouldn't wear the regular old ones either - unless it's office code. They really do look "old". If you can't find anything with a little personality, I think I might just opt for sheer colors, instead.

I am 38 but I have a nasty skin condition that occurs on my legs occasionally. I wear pants or skirts with tights. Occasionally black sheer stockings, but usually only with a cocktail dress, not work. Leggings are very stylish now with skirts, dresses, tops, but can look to casual in some work environemts. No pantyhose for me in 20 years. I agree it dates a person, especially the beige trying to be "nude" on a caucasian woman color. At least go for a sheer color to coordinate with the outfit and that isn't trying to be fake skin tone.

NO beige pantyhose! If you have to have hose, do what Shane does.

I'm 47, so I remember pantyhose being the rock-solid foundation for work.

I think nude/sheer would be OK for the interview, but I think a patterned hose would be even nicer. Get good ones!

Ask what the dress code is before you interview. It will vary from company to company. Bare legs were never acceptable in the office I worked in. And although the pantyhose aisle is not as big as it use to be, they still make and sell them - so people are still wearing them.

I may be old-fashioned (I'm 45), but I think pantyhose in a business situation looks more professional. I suppose it would depend on where you are working, so I agree with the postings that mention to wear the hose to the interview and then check out the culture of the workplace before making a decision. I would wear nude in the summer and dark colors in the winter. I like the suggestion that Shane had also regarding the printed hose.

Good luck landing a job.

I read recently that the quickest way to show your age was to wear pantyhose. That said, many work places do not allow bare legs. I would wear an expensive pair of sheer, light pantyhose to your interview. Once you start working, you'll know what the dress code is. Use the Jergens tanning cream (it will give you a natural color AND keep your legs hydrated) or use Sally Hansen's spray on leg makeup. Spray it into your hands and put on your legs to save overspraying your entire bathroom. It gives you a nice color and a little sheen. Black tights in summer are ridiculous unless you live in San Francisco, where it's never warm. And, despite what I'm seeing in fashion magazines, I'd never wear hose with open-toed shoes. The weight of your hose/tights should match the weight of your clothing. And please, stay away from the beige hose --- you'll look like you're wearing support hose! Good luck!

my office does not allow bare legs and I wear the flesh colored pantyhose or black, depending on my skirt.

Ditch the hose. It's 2011 and it's not a requirement anymore. I personally think it dates a person more than if someone goes bare legged.
Black is a huge fashion trend now. Well any tights are, but yeah, not the skin colored ones. There are tons of textures, colors, (all though for an office neutrals of course are going to be your colors of choice). You can wear longer but fashionable skirts. Is this a business causal or stricter dress code?? If it's business casual, at my office a bunch of girls wear dolled up peasant skirts which are cut at all lengths.

Don't wear beige, but do wear hose. I am very, VERY pale (a Californian and a redhead, too) and in daytime formal or business situations, I wear nude hose. There is a brand at Target that has nude hose that looks perfect. No unnatural color or weird texture. In fact, when I went for a job interview at the company where my mom was also working, she came up to me and said, "Whew, for a minute there, I thought you showed up bare-legged!" It wasn't until she scrutinized my legs for several minutes that she realized I was wearing pantyhose. However, I wish I could remember the name! It was Sheer something, but NOT Leggs Sheer Energy. I think it is the Target brand.

Hi Michele,

I want to point out there are big regional differences on this one. California is definitely less fond of pantyhose then other places in the country. Even so, do what makes you feel comfortable. I think confidence speaks louder than clothes.

There are lots of subtly patterned stockings with seams up the back that can be stylish and classy. But you're right - beige pantyhose will age you. Change it up.

I am 25 and i love wearing pantyhose! they cover up the fact that i am so pale and allow me to wear shorter skirts (I have bad cellulite even though I am pretty tiny)

I work in a conservative office and plenty of women wear pantyhose. I'd just go with nude. For an interview, better safe than sorry if you're almost 49 and don't have perfect legs. High quality nude stockings are barely visible yet smooth out the look. I wouldn't even consider not wearing hose to an interview unless it's a very casual workplace.

I never wear nude hose. I usually wear pants, and I hardly ever show my bare legs, but WHEN I wear dresses or skirts, I usually wear opaque black tights. they are the most flattering, and much more fashionable than nude hose. You can even wear them with cute peep toe pumps and sandals-definitely anything closed toe, or whatever. It's much more "hip and current" than beige hose would be.

I have dark hair and light skin, and it seems like the skin on my calves and shins is EVEN WHITER than all my other skin-so I'll use the Jergens self tanning lotion too after showers just so they have a tiny bit of skin tone evening color, not even noticeable, it's just how they're "supposed to look" for when I wear capris or knee length shorts. As for your age, I see all ages in bare legs too instead of hose, I wouldn't sweat it when it's hottest summer time. Just get some Jergens tanning cream for the shins and calves, and be sure to have nice toe nails. :)

However in a conservative office where bare legs might not be allowed, you would look fine in nude hose, and will probably see other ladies in them.

Pantyhose make legs look nice. I have beige fishnets- (small netting) They dont stand out like black fishnets, but add some color- while allowing your natural color through & even up skin tone. If the netting is bothersome on your feet, the have those little nylon sockets things, wear them inside the fishnets. Otherwise, pick any shade besides the "old granny dark beige", theres lots of varients now & get something very sheer, not shiny.

I"m 36 and I wear nude colored panyhose and black. In the summer I sport no hose and cute open toed shoes (or not). I have given up my heels for more comfy lower heels or flats.