The Mantyhose
Manolo says, some ideas are so ridiculous that they should not merit our discussion.
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“Mantyhose”or pantyhose for men have become a popular sheer garment from truck drivers to cowboys.A self confessed male hosiery-wearer, Harisnya is so passionate about the issue he set up e-MANcipate, a website which he says aims to “accelerate the acceptance of male pantyhose as a regular clothing item”.
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“Men have great legs and hosiery is a great way to show them. It’s quite practical in some ways. It prevents chafing, for example, when horse riding or cycling, but it’s also a good alternative to bulky underwear if you need some warmth,”News.com.au quoted Harisnya, as saying.
“Going to work on a cold autumn day in regular trousers with 20 denier hose underneath helps to avoid getting cold. Plus you won’t ever have to worry about loosing or matching your socks. It’s fun, but no joke,”he added.
The men’s pantyhose come with a “male comfort panel”that better fits a man’s shape, and sometimes offers a convenient fly opening.
Harisyna’s love of pantyhose is backed up by testimonials from truck drivers who swear by nylon hosiery for its circulation benefits and cowboys who don them under their Levi’s for warmth.
He believes that men’s pantyhose is an easy way to dress differently.
Naturally the Manolo never approves of dressing differently solely to be different. That way madness and the profusion of bad tattoos lie.
Also, at the moment when the majority of women have ceased to wear the pantyhose, why should men put them on?
Of the course, there has been at least one famous wearer of the mantyhose…
P.S. Hat tip to the Manolo’s internet friend Orrin Judd, who recently and kindly reviewed the Manolo’s short work, the Consolation of the Shoes.
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Comments
Annalucia 15 years ago
The Annalucia will approve the “mantihose” if they are referred to merely as “hose,” and are worn in accompaniment with short breeches, doublets, and all the correct accoutrements of the seventeenth-century gentleman. Bright colors are permissible, except for the yellow. And they should never, ever be cross-gartered :-)
Long Island 15 years ago
Pantyhose wearing Cowboys!
Is nothing sacred.
Pantyhose increasing circulation yes but for warmth? My legs never feel warmer wearing pantyhose.
I ride horses. When it is cold I wear thin silk long underwear, jeans and chaps. I just do not see pantyhose doing much for warmth.
IMHO these cowboys must have other reasons for wanting to wear pantyhose.
I now have an image in my head of a pair of hairy, skinny, bow legs wearing pantyhose and Tony Lama cowboy boots. Please make it go away!
pusetekuchen 15 years ago
As someone who works in construction, in Alberta, in the winter, yes, pantyhose does make a decent first layer.
I do it, and other girls that I have worked with do it. I’ve never known a man to do it, but in regards to whether it works or not… it does.
I use it before bringing out the long johns, when it’s just -5 first thing in the morning but will then warm up a bit later on in the day.
Also, in regards to the truck drivers, yes, pantyhose can help with circulation because it gently compresses the leg.
Also, it would probably work better for men, because the pantyhose would sit on top of the leg hair, not attractive, but would create a space for air to warm up and keep you warmer.
KellyGirl 15 years ago
I actually just had this discussion with a guy friend after I lamented that putting on my first tights of the season marks the end of summer for me. I think the problem is the word “pantyhose” conjures up Suntan colored Leggs. But when I was in college, I used to make my boyfriend wear my sweater knit tights under his pants in the winter. Really, it’s just like longjohns with built in feet.
madame suggia 15 years ago
When my darling Dad was a nurse in the (British) army, we were stationed in Belfast during the start of the ‘troubles’. He reported many, many big rough-and-tough soldiers coming into casualty (ER in America-speak) with various injuries…to a man, they all wore tights (pantyhose) under their cambats (fatigues) for the extra warmth. Bearing in mind this was the early 70’s, those tights were almost always lacy, and usually adorned with the current fashions, namely, rows of embroidered birds, flowers and other deliciousness in a jaunty row down the outside of each leg. Whilst this must have looks hilarious, as well as adding warmth on a chilly Belfast night, apparently wearing these also cut down on the injuries from shrapnel and other blasts. High fashion, medical drama and cross dressing-love it.
class factotum 15 years ago
My college boyfriend (high school class of ’81) told me that he and his teammates wore pantyhose under their high-school football uniforms on cold game days.
wildflower 15 years ago
Isn’t wearing pantyhose under your trousers inherently the same as wearing long underwear? So why not wear long underwear, so you can choose the weight, wicking properties, etc that is appropriate to the weather and activity? People wearing pantyhose under their trouser probably think, “Wow I found out this clever secret!” but no, it’s just another form of long underwear. :)
Lilly Munster 15 years ago
No man can rock the pantyhose like “Broadway Joe”.
MissMarj 15 years ago
“Also, at the moment when the majority of women have ceased to wear the pantyhose, why should men put them on?”
Have they ceased wearing them? In Scotland you can find a wider variety of tights than ever before. How else are you supposed to keep your legs warm when wearing a skirt in winter? (and you must keep them warm because pasty/translucent/texture of corned beef/ blue legs are not an attractive look!)
Ah Manolo, we don’t all live in wonderful climates like Buenos Aires. Please remember those of us shivering in the cold north and allow us to use whatever we can get to keep warm :o(
Maria 15 years ago
Let us not forget the most important wearer of the mantyhose: the ballet dancer!