What Is Control Top Pantyhose?

Control top pantyhose are a type of nylons developed in the mid 1960s that are meant to provide extra support to the buttocks and especially the tummy, making wearing additional support garments for this purpose unnecessary. They came into style at about the same time that women began to stop wearing girdles, which were considered heavy and restrictive. Many styles feature a cotton crotch, and can be worn without any type of panties.

The panty section of control top pantyhose may feature panels or extra elasticized reinforcement. Most commonly, the panty part is somewhat restrictive due to the addition of Lycra® or nylon. Lycra® provides a firmer hold than does nylon, so it can keep the tummy tucked in and the buttocks slightly lifted. However, control top pantyhose are not miracle workers — they give slight hold, but will not completely eliminate what women might consider figure flaws.

Some women also prefer control top pantyhose because they avoid one fashion faux pas, the visible panty line. Especially when nylons are worn under pants or tight skirts, a line across the outerwear showing the panties is a fashion no-no. These pantyhose make a good replacement since they don’t have a ridged panty line.

t’s always important to purchase pantyhose in your appropriate size. If you happen to be a plus size, this is no problem. Numerous plus size clothing manufacturers make larger size control top pantyhose which will still give you a more smooth finish. Also valuable is finding the appropriate length. Most nylons, whether they are control top or not, will fit a woman of about 5 foot 8 inches (68 inches or 1.72 m) at most.

If you are taller, the pantyhose may tend to slide downward and will not long provide the control you seek. To this end, you can also purchase tall sizes, more commonly available at department stores. You may have trouble finding tall or plus sizes at local grocery stores or drug stores.

Some women don’t like the extra reinforcement provided by control top pantyhose. You can certainly purchase nylons without a control top. On nylon packages these might be called “sheer to waist.” Usually control top pantyhose will specifically state they are control top.

In the 2000s, wearing nylons or stockings became somewhat unfashionable, and the barelegged style became more popular. Many women missed the control top more than for the rest of the leg coverage they provided. To this end, Spanx®, were developed. These are similar to control top pantyhose but end above the knee, and rise slightly above the waist. They are becoming greatly popular as an alternative to both girdles and pantyhose, providing lightweight, smooth support.

Dusen line sheer

The little black dress, the basic black pump, the back seam pointed heel pantyhose, all staples in one's wardrobe. Never out of style and always the perfect choice for adding a touch of retro to that dress and pumps. Dusen has produced the classic looking design in the modern hydrofil 12 denier yarn resulting in an oily, transparent smooth finish that is both pleasant to both the wearer and spectator.

Sheer to waist-model is wearing high cut panty underneath, shadow toes, flat seams, gusset. Made in Spain.

Levante

Estefania

A soft and comfortable 80 denier opaque tight with geometric pattern to waist. Sheer toe, fully boarded, flat seams, cotton gusset. Made in Spain.

how to wear/ put on tights

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Consay

A delicate silky and glossy ultra sheer 10 denier pantyhose for special occasions or for a transparent look for the legs. Flat seams, fully boarded, sheer toes, cotton gusset. Made in Poland.

DIM Body Touch Voile Pantyhose

Handmade

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Rips her tights

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Why you should show off your beautiful legs

For many women over 40 their legs are true assets. Apart from the knees they are not prone to aging so quickly and it can add a lot of sex appeal to your outfit. Therefore, the general advice for many women over 40 is to show some leg for a hip and youthful appearance. Although this is easy in the summer, it can be challenging for women like me who easily get cold. Tights are a perfect solution, but how can you wear them and still look hip and youthful?

Opaques

I really like opaque tights and you can get them in any colour these days. With the colour blocking trend still going strong, you can really play with the colour of your tights and make it fun. If you want a more conservative look than go with the colour of your shoes or skirt.Wolford Velvet Deluxe are good ones and so are Spanx Tight End Reversible Tights, which have a different colour at the back. Great neutral colours to own would be black, grey, brown and navy. Great fall 2012 trend colours would be burgundy and cobalt blue (both would look fantastic with either black or winter white). Do not wear opaques in nude and make sure you create a nice balance with the colours in your outfit.

I like how Jessica Quirk from What I Wore creates a very graphical look with the colours of her clothes and black tights. You can do this with different coloured tights as well so long as they are not too see-through. Although Jessica matches her shoes to her tights on this occasion, this kind of look can look equally great with shoes in a different colour that comes back in the outfit.

If you like to use pattern or colour, you can do so as long as your tights are in balance with the rest of your outfits. See how the tights don’t stand out in the image on the left? It blends in nicely with the rest of the outfit. Catherine from Not Dressed as Lamb also creates a colourful graphical look with this outfit and her tights fit right into it.

Sheer tights

Sheer tights look best in (bearly) black or very see through nude. I feel that this, together with fishnets, is the only way to wear nude tights if you want to create a modern look. Sheer nude tights that are frequently recommended are the Donna Karen nudes. In the below picture sheer black tights look very chic with the yellow dress. The Duchess of Cambridge has been credited for bringing nude tights back into favour.

Fishnets

If you want to up the sex appeal even more then this is always a consideration, but be sure to keep the rest of your outfit very classy. I would stick to black or nude only for fishnets.

Catherine from Not Dressed as Lamb uses colour and tights to create a completely different look with this dress. the dotted tights create a quirky creative look, while the fishnets are chic for the office.

Gatta tights

Textures

Flower patterns and printed pants are very much the trend right now and you may want to incorporate this trend with your tights. However, do so with care. Using patterned tights can very quickly look wrong or trashy or just draw too much attention on your legs and away from your face. If you like to use pattern, I would stick to a subtle pattern in one colour. Make sure that the pattern blends in with your outfit and it can look great.

Knee highs

Knee highs can be great under trousers and some long skirts. Follow the same guidelines as for tights. Of course you should never be able to see the end of your knee-highs.

What to avoid?

Flesh coloured opaque tights. These are very aging and generally don’t give you a flattering look. Some designers feel that you should avoid flesh coloured tights altogether, although I believe that very thin and natural sheer tights can look very nice with the right clothes.
Never show your reinforced toes of tights and knee highs in shoes.
In fact avoid wearing tights with sandals altogether.
Don’t wear socks over tights. That should be left to the teenagers.
2 hue tights, too bold patterns, too bright tights.
Any runs and holes.
Also be sure to shave your legs before wearing tights.

Add some drama and prints to your workwear with patterned tights in this coming new year. You will be pleasantly surprised at the ways they complement outfits – it’s an easy way to update last year’s looks. Perfectly chic worn under knee-length skirts and midi dresses.

We are fans of the fabulous yet affordable selection of tights from Hue. Their tights come in a wide array of colors, prints and fabric choices. Be sure to try them as they are some of the most comfortable tights available.

Here is the important question, just how would you wear these fancy tights to work?

For a subtle office-appropriate style, try tone-on-tone looks – black or gray tights with a black dress, cream or ivory tights for lighter dresses. These elegant diamond tights below are also from Hue.

J. Crew Sparkle Tights, Diane Von Furstenburg Ankle Boots, Aqua cashmere cropped cardigan; Bottom row: Wolford Python Tights, Stuart Weitzman Ankle Boots, Alice & Olivia Crochet Shrug

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Calaypso tights

Top – Dorothy Perkins, Skirt – Target, Coat – H&M, Earrings – Wet Seal, Tights – Modcloth, Shoes – H&M

Wearing a green sweater with tights is great if your sweater is oversized. Since green blends well with neutral colors, stick to black, dark brown or dark blue tights. Accent the look with a pair of killer black ankle boots with matching black headband or flower clip for a really cute outfit. Choose a light brown bag to complement your green.