How To Put On Pantyhose?

I was sitting in our local street cafe with my friend Amber this morning. She was bemoaning how she wished she could wear super-sheer hosiery in the summer like I do. It is almost as if she is able to rip a hole in them simply by picking up the packet. That prompted me to tell her what I do to ensure that I do not ladder my sheerest pantyhose, step by step.

How to put on pantyhose?

• Choose the correct size pantyhose based on your height and weight.
• Prepare your hands, feet, and legs. Rough skin, stubble, or a hangnail can easily snag your pantyhose.
• Be careful when removing any cardboard packing material in your new pantyhose that can cause damage.
• Gently stretch your new pantyhose lengthways before you start putting them on.
• Position the pantyhose front-forward.
• Gather one leg of the pantyhose to the toe.
• Point your toe and slip your foot inside.
• Make sure the pantyhose leg isn’t twisted when you put your foot inside.
• It is easier and safer to be sitting when putting on your pantyhose.
• Gently pull smooth the fabric up to your thigh.
• Repeat with the other side.
• Finish pulling the pantyhose up.  Be sure to stand for this part.

Pantyhose, especially ultra-sheer pantyhose are made of delicate nylon fabric that covers you from the toes to the waist. Pantyhose will help to even your skin tone and reduce friction. However, pantyhose are notorious for ripping and running when you try to handle them.

Once you successfully get them on, they can make your outfit look polished and sleek. Using the proper technique to put on pantyhose will extend the life of your hosiery and ensure a smooth, comfortable fit.

Choosing the Right Fit

You need to decide how you want the top to fit. All pantyhose are constructed so that the top part fits like a panty, which serves the dual purpose of keeping the pantyhose from falling down and hugging your shape to create a slimmer silhouette.

The amount of “control” in the top part of the pantyhose varies from high control to none. Choose the type of top that caters to your personal preferences, giving you both the look and comfort level you want.

Control-top pantyhose have built-in underwear that fits tightly around the midsection. If you’re interested in smoothing out your curves, this might be the right option for you. Control-top pantyhose can assist you to keep a tuck in place.

However, many people find that control-top pantyhose feel uncomfortably tight, and sometimes dig in at the waist to create a cinched appearance. This is especially the case with girls that carry a fair amount of extra “padding” around the middle.

Regular, standard panty-hose have a simpler construction and aren’t meant to provide extra support around your midsection. If you don’t want to change the look of your shape, opt for these instead of the control top pantyhose. This is especially true if you carry a little “extra” that the control-top pantyhose will cut into, creating an unflattering muffin-top look.

You will need to choose the level of sheerness you want. Pantyhose range from very (or “ultra) sheer to opaque, and the different levels of sheerness result in quite different final looks. If you pick very sheer pantyhose that match your skin tone, it might not look like you’re wearing pantyhose at all. Opaque pantyhose have a much more noticeable appearance.

The general rule for PinkFemme girls is to wear the sheerest pantyhose possible for the season that you are in. That means a 10 denier or less for summertime.

Sheer pantyhose are a bit flimsier than thicker opaque pantyhose – something to keep in mind if you’re concerned about durability.

Opaque pantyhose are a little warmer than sheer pantyhose, so they’re better suited to winter wear. The only time that a PinkFemme girl will wear a pair of opaque tights will be to keep warm under a pair of long trousers or jeans when heading out in the frigid icy winter weather.

Pick the right size. Pantyhose are usually sized according to weight and height since they need to stretch from a person’s toes to the waist. Check the sizing table on the packaging that contains your pantyhose so you can determine what size matches your weight and height range.

If you hate the feeling of wearing too-tight pantyhose, size up! The pantyhose will likely still be tight enough to stay around your waist instead of falling down.

Pulling on your pantyhose with ease

Prepare your hands, feet, and legs. To keep from snagging a hangnail or patch of rough skin on your pantyhose, prepare your hands, feet, and legs to make the process easier. Here are a few things you might do to get ready:

• File your fingernails and toenails.
• Shave or wax your legs if you normally shave or way. Stubble will ruin pantyhose (especially if your hose are sheer).
• Moisturize your hands, legs, and feet.
• Take off any rings and bracelets that may catch on the nylon material and damage the pantyhose.

I keep a pair of unpowdered latex gloves in my pantyhose drawer and it saves me lots of time when working with my sheerest pantyhose.

Remove your pantyhose from the packaging, and unfold them. This may include removing any cardboard backing tucked inside them. You can do this by gently folding the cardboard in half so you can ease it out the top of your pantyhose. Be extra careful as the cardboard may have a snag that can rip your brand new pantyhose.

Gently stretch your new pantyhose lengthways to create some give in the pantyhose before you start putting them on. Be careful not to pull too hard as this may tear them.

Position the pantyhose front-forward. Check for the tag and position the pantyhose so that you’ll be putting them on with the tag in the back. They’re constructed to be put on a certain way, and putting them on backward could make them look and feel strange.

Gather one leg of the pantyhose to the toe. Starting on either the right side or left, hold the waist of the pantyhose and gently bunch the leg so that the inside of the toe is exposed. The point is to create an easy pathway for your foot so that you can place it inside the length of the hose leg without tearing the fabric.

Point your toe and slip your foot inside. You might need to stretch the opening a bit to make sure your foot can fit inside without catching on the fabric. Pointing your toe will help prevent your toenail from snagging the hose. Put your whole foot inside and arrange the bottom of the hose leg so that the seam at the toe runs across the tip of your toes.

Make sure the pantyhose leg isn’t twisted when you put your foot inside. If it’s twisted, it will be difficult to pull the pantyhose up your leg.

You can be in either a sitting or standing position when you put on your pantyhose. If you find it difficult to balance on one foot, you might want to sit!

Gently pull smooth the fabric up to your thigh. Ease it on carefully and slowly, making sure the fabric doesn’t pull or rip. Keep the hose leg centered and pull it up until you reach your thigh. If the fabric is twisted or bunched at the knees, straighten it before proceeding.

Repeat with the other side. Gather the waist and the toe of the other leg so that you create an easy path for your foot to fit through. Point your toe and insert it, then line up the toe of the hose so that the seam runs across your toes. Pull the hose leg up over your calf and knee until it reaches your thighs. Make sure it’s not bunched or twisted.

Finish pulling the pantyhose up. You should have enough fabric left to easily finish pulling your pantyhose up around your waist. If you’ve been sitting, stand up and pull up the pantyhose so that the elastic at the top sits around your waist.

As you finish pulling the pantyhose up, you may need to alternate legs to ensure that the fabric is evenly distributed and doesn’t twist.

Take a look and make any necessary adjustments. Check for areas where the pantyhose are bunched or places where your skin feels pinched. The pantyhose should feel snug, but not uncomfortable. If you see a place where they’re twisted, it’s worth it to take them off and repeat the process more carefully – especially if you’ll be wearing them all day long!

If you’re wearing patterned or seamed hose, try putting on a pair of rubber gloves to make small adjustments for a flawless finish, rather than pinching the hose with your fingers and risking a tear.

Here is a quick quiz to see if you understand what you have read:

What should you do prior to putting on pantyhose?

• Remove any rings or bracelets.
• Shave your legs.
• File your nails.
• Moisturize your hands, legs, and feet.
• All of the above

One last tip, Learn how to stop a run from getting longer. 

It’s inevitable – you’re going to get a snag now and then, no matter how careful you are. If you see the beginning of a run, trim off the pulled thread and dab a bit of clear nail polish over the spot. This should keep it from running all the way down your leg.

If you are wearing ultra-sheer pantyhose regularly as every PinkFemme girl should, it will be wise to carry a spare pair in your purse (handbag) so that it is handy, just in case.