Pantyhose Purchasing 101

Hate to Buy Pantyhose in Person? Here are some tips to help you change the trembling hands and wobbly knees into a buying experience! Read on.

My Experience

I am in my 40s and have been buying tights, stockings and pantyhose since I was about 14. Perhaps like yourself, I used to creep into the store hoping for an easy time of buying my hose and always found my palms sweaty and my knees knocking, sometimes even having a hard time blurting out my excuse for having to be in this situation. Although the sales clerks and cashiers varied in their reaction to my presence in the hosiery department, I always found myself torn between my intense desire to have the hose and the dreadful fear of having to look and feel silly while doing so.

I still remember my very first purchase of a pair of black nylon tights in an F.W. Woolworths store. I had seen them before in that store and finally gathered up the courage to go get the tights that I so wanted to wear. I was so nervous that I grabbed the first pair of black tights I found and rushed to the cashier to pay for them and get out of the store as soon as possible. It was only when I got home that I found I'd picked up a pair of woman's small size. Although only 14 at the time, they were still a little too small for me. Nevertheless, they fit and my personal hosiery collection was on the way!

The Problem Defined

Why do most guys find buying pantyhose so difficult? It is probably because society has decided that in spite of the fact that women can wear pants, dress shirts and even neck ties that look just like men would wear, men are not supposed to wear anything that has been associated with women. Pantyhose for some reason, seem to be one of the more extreme cases of this double standard. As an aside, I have found that tights on the other hand are more accepted for men. Although fortunately not common, some sales people seem to feel they need to enforce this double standard by making comments or giving funny looks to guys who venture into the pantyhose aisle. Perhaps it is also made more difficult since until recently, men did not often buy hosiery openly, preferring to let their female counterparts buy hose for them or by making use of mail order or internet purchasing. By being a rare occurance to see a man with an arm full of nylons on the way to the checkout, it made those brave few stand out as different.

The Proposed Solution

Here are some pointers I've found from experience work well for me and I hope will work equally well for you. They are offered in no order of priority and should be considered according to your own needs and temperament. Don't worry about making up a reason why you need the pantyhose. An unlikely story will only draw more attention to yourself and your purchases. There's no need to explain your presence in the store.    You are there to buy hose and that is your business only. Take the attitude that you have every reason to be there and behave as if all men buy tights and pantyhose regularly. Don't show any nervousness!    That just draws attention to yourself.  Behave as if you  were buying a pair of shoes. If possible, buy in crowded public areas. It is very easy  to get lost in a crowd and not be noticed.  Department stores are very good for this. This is a good place to start. If possible, you might prefer to do most of your hose buying away from your neighbourhood or out of town. This removes the problem of being seen by people you know. When you become more comfortable buying in department  stores, try a smaller hosiery shop. Find a store you like and stick with it, particularly if you get to know the sales staff. That way, you only have to buy hose once or twice before you become a regular customer.  Most sales  girls and women are very helpful to men. Know what you want before you go in, including your size.  If you are approached and asked if you need help, you can either decline the offer or take advantage of their help.   I've found taking the help is usually good as it provides a comfortable environment for your shopping. It is best  to mention a brand, style and colour or colours, or at  least a look (i.e. shiny, natural colour, patterned, etc.)   that you want. I've found that particularly in hosiery  shops, the sales women make a point of coming to the aid  of a male customer. They assume that you are  uncomfortable and unfamiliar with the wide array of  hosiery options. They want to help, so be prepared.  A sizing chart is shown below to get you started. Always pay in cash to avoid having to disclose your identity with credit and debit cards. Buy several pairs at a time, but don't be nervous!.   That way, you'll have a good supply of hose for just a single visit. Pantyhose are often cheaper by the dozen as well. A sample frequent pantyhose purchaser card is shown  below and a picture of some of my pantyhose from previous  purchases.

The Benefits

Having hose you wanted in your size and colour Not having to wear old nylons filled with runs An added dimension to your hosiery interest Saving money by buying several pairs at a time Being able to try various brands, styles and colours to find your favourites Never being without pantyhose when you need them Contributing to the acceptance of men buying pantyhose

Follow Up

If you have any question, please let me know. Or better still, if you try any of these ideas, do send me your experiences and suggestions so that I may incorporate them into this page. Please direct enquiries to me: gold_ph@yahoo.com

Size Chart

A typical frequent hose buyer card

Some of my unopened pairs (Phantom Silks)

Phantom is online at http://www.phantom.ca

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