Frugal Necessities: Pantyhose
Dressing for work is costing too much – mostly in terms of time and frustration of knowing I don’t quite “fit in”. While I know I need to go shopping and have reviewed some great comment on the subject, I’m still struggling every morning getting dressed for work.
This morning was no exception. I had planned on wearing a certain outfit that I figured would be suitable for lunch with a coworker. The outfit included a skirt and the dreaded pantyhose (required by office policy).
I bought a pair a couple weeks ago and wore them once. Today, I pulled them on and they’ve already got a run in them – argh!. I know I paid close to $5 for that pair and just one wearing isn’t enough for my frugal expectations.
When I google “frugal pantyhose” I get lots of uses for panty hose – everything except wearing them to work. I’m not looking to store onions or buff my shoes; I want to follow dresscode policy for less than $5/day.
The only suggestions I know are about clear nail polish and careful washing. Handwashing obviously wasn’t enough in this case and an entire bottle of nail polish couldn’t have rescued the panty hose.
So, instead of staying all bent out of shape about the hose, I decided to wear the warm boots all day instead of just to and from the office and snuck in a pair of 50-inch long socks, nice, thick, unprofessional, thigh high socks (thank goodness for long skirts).
However, I need to know what to do about pantyhose. Do I just buy the super cheap brand and pull out a new pair each time or is there a brand or method that will get me a few good wearing out of each pair?
mapgirl
February 7th, 2007 11:17
Hanes. They are slightly thicker and last longer. I can get 3-5 wearings out of them without a run.
Be careful when you put them on and take them off. Make sure your hands are really smooth and not dry. That’s what often snags them.
I hate hose, but that’s because I used to ‘run’ through them like water when I wore super nice sheer 10 dernier hose. Try going with some thicker stuff at like 40 dernier and they ought to last for more than one wear.
At least in winter you can wear full thick tights. I wear them under my pants to keep me warm.
If your skirts are long enough, try trouser socks instead. Those seem to last longer for me as well.
Oh. And don’t wear sheers. I find a pair of Ellen Tracy crazy lace patterned stockings last very well. I rinse them out as soon as I take them off and have worn them at least 20 times since I bought them on sale at DSW for $11 bucks.
Good luck!
3 Things About Money
February 7th, 2007 12:05
I’m gonna vote for Hanes also but you know they are all disposable- those pantyhose. In the days when I had to wear them, I got so mad that I bought a pair of really expensive stockings, that I had to wear with a garter belt and they lasted until I stopped wearing hose. It was also kind of fun…
English Major
February 7th, 2007 12:42
Maybe it’s an old wives’ tale, but I was always told to freeze pantyhose before wearing them. (You can bring them back to room temperature before putting them on!) Other things to consider might be where you store them (careful with splintery drawers) and the condition of your nails (ragged nails can cause runs really easily). Obviously, you can also opt for pants, if that’s an option under your work dress code.
Jenn
February 7th, 2007 13:06
http://www.discountdance.com/spframe_set.php3?mf=/dancewear/page_TIALLTIGHTS_p1.html&camp=G_Dance_Tights&ovmkt=VHVCGLKSIBH10LPQP2CCP1IN04&gclid=CO-m34zsnIoCFR1kUAodPHsWfw
Have you ever thought about buying dance tights? They are made with more lycra and won’t rip anywhere near as often, but they are thicker. They also may have a bit of “shiny” ness to them. But if you really only want to have a couple of pairs and have them last they might be worth a try.
Just a thought.
yo
February 8th, 2007 09:56
Don’t you have other options at work? what do you do? What would happen if you wore a suit?
Donna Jean
February 8th, 2007 10:24
Thanks for all the comments. I’ll give Hanes a try and stay away from sheers, but I don’t think I’ll try the freezer method, that seems just one step too far for it to be practical for me. :)
Jenn, thanks for the dance tights recommendations, however the sheen on them usually looks really out of place when you’re out of a leotard — I know because I used to try wearing them instead of hose.
Yo, I can wear pants anytime I want, in fact I wear pants 95% of the time. However, to reduce the number of clothes I need to buy, I need to make use of the several skirts hanging in my closet. Also, my skirts help dress us the plain tops I have to help me squeak by on the corporate dress code.
I’d love a sturdy pair of hose even if they need garter belts to keep them on. However, it seems that most garter belts are made more for show than wear these days. :)
Josh
February 8th, 2007 12:13
I’m a guy, I’ve run my own companis and I’ve worked in big companies. Having a dress code is necessary in bigger places because–well because people of different cultures really just haven’t the slightest idea what other people might find offensive. (believe it or not, the following phrase had to be used by one of my colleagues: “visible thong underwear is not appropriate in a law office”)
But it really is upsetting to me when a company crafts their dress code so poorly that it basically costs women more to come to work every day than it does men.
I’m Looking Good Today » The Weight of Money
February 21st, 2007 11:11
[...] Make a List: After reviewing inventory, make note of what is needed. I realized that I mostly only needed tops, some new hosiery, and some jewelry pieces to help tie outfits together. [...]
mapgirl
February 24th, 2007 23:59
Josh,
You rock for your sentiments about the gender imbalance of dress codes. I was once offered a lateral move but told them I needed at least a 10-15% raise if they expected me to dress up to go onsite for clients because I no longer had a wardrobe appropriate for doing so. Looking good in Tahari and St. John’s suits cost money!
marie
April 16th, 2007 20:11
i know what you meen! i get the no nonsense silky sheers, they feel very nice and for$ 4 for 3 pair it wouldnt make sense to wash them. just wear a new one each time and toss em! no handwashing or ruins. just in case you do put one in during the day, keep an extra pair around. however i have washed them becouse i ran out and they held up well. good luck!
Brandy
July 20th, 2008 04:16
I have had good luck with legs sheer energy, and clear nail polish.
I usually get at least a week out of each pair and they are not to uncomfortable for pantyhose :)
If anyone is interested I would be glad to do a review of brands and styles with a focus on cost\durability\comfort for work. A sort of a pantyhose review, please let me know if this would be useful to anyone on here, and if it would, what styles you would like to see reviewed.
Later