Mantyhose

The trend in "mantyhose" is growing, according to a number of news reports and surveys, as well as company earnings. Whether men need pantyhose for support, a layer of warmth or body shaping, all indicators suggest that more and more men who are not shemales are hopping on the legwear bandwagon.

Football players will wear hose for extra warmth.

As one proud wearer of men's pantyhose was quick to point out, the wearing of hose is nothing new. In fact, men were wearing full hose long before women ever did. They were warm and shaped the leg well. Once trousers became full length, men switched from hose to silk socks, held up by garters. As those who experienced it will say, this and attention to trouser length prevented men from the embarrassing experience of crossing their legs and having skin show between the cuff and sock top.

Although it's assumed that the only men who wear women's pantyhose are cross-dressers, this is far from the case. Sometimes, even the thinnest long underwear is not thin enough and so something else is needed. The form-fitting uniforms of professional football players don't allow for much layering, but something is demanded during a cold game and so many players turned to pantyhose over the years – not mentioning it in public, of course. Likewise, scuba divers have used pantyhose both for warmth and because they in fact make the wetsuit easier to get on and off.

Most men who have traditionally turned to pantyhose as part of their wardrobe have done so for medical reasons. Restless leg syndrome, deep vein thrombosis or any circulatory problem is alleviated by compression legwear. While men may initially feel uncomfortable buying and wearing a garment so wholly associated with women, the comfort they attain once they've put the hose on usually outstrips any other concerns.

Although it's difficult to pinpoint exactly when more men started wearing pantyhose for support or comfort, the growth of Internet forums where men could be anonymous and still discuss their preference for mantyhose has pushed the trend into the forefront. Mantyhose are a very different design from women's pantyhose. They are stronger, less likely to run or rip and built to accommodate a man's proportions. They also have the all-important fly opening. This goes a long way towards helping a man feel like he truly is wearing a man's garment.

Even as more men seem to be wearing them, whatever their job, the mantyhose are still hard to find in shops, as there is a perceived stigma about buying them. This may soon change, if Internet sales are a standard for judging. It seems a lot of men in a variety of age groups are finding mantyhose comfortable and pleasant. They also note that mantyhose can work like a girdle, or a "mirdle," and help control a beer belly.

Throughout history, men have worn clothes that were more elaborate than that of women. Even as recently as the late 1960s and 1970s, men showed plenty of plumage. But the idea of wearing something that was associated solely with women has gone against the grain for most men. Dancers might wear tights, but a man who wears pantyhose as part of his daily dress gets looked at askance, even if it is for medical reasons. Gradually, this attitude is changing. However, it also has to change among women. Many of the men who will admit to wearing mantyhose say that their wives or girlfriends feel more awkward about it than they themselves do. Presumably, the women feel as though their partners are less "manly" for wearing hose. In this case, however, clothes are not what makes the man. If he's comfortable, that should be good enough for anyone.

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