Did you know that men were the first ones to ever wear pantyhose?
Centuries ago men wore hand knitted stockings made of wool.

In 1589, William Lee of Calverton, Notts, invented the first Knitting Frame.
Excited about his invention, Richard Parkyns (a member of the Parliament for Nottinghamshire) arranged for William to meet Henry Carey and Lord Hunsdon (members of Queen Elizabeth Privy Council).
With a pair of wool stockings to show what great work William’s new invention has done, they presented it to the Queen for approval.
The Queen at first rejected the idea in consideration of what it would do to her poor subjects. It would bring them to ruin by depriving them of employment, thus making them beggars.
The Queen turned to Lord Hunsdon and declared, “Had Mr. Lee made a machine which could give me silk stockings, I would perhaps been justified in granting him a patent”. Then looking at William she said “To enjoy the privilege of making stockings for everyone is too important to grant to any individual.”

Not giving up on the dreams William had for his invention he worked making and selling wool stocking until 10 years later when he had finally perfected his invention to knit silk stockings. Unfortunately the Queen passed away in 1603, a bit too late for William to present his improvements.
William took his invention and moved to France where he met the De Caux brothers, and drew up a very complicated but precise contract in partnership for the manufacture of stockings made from silk and wool.

Tights were made as a close fitting garment for men of nobility such as King Henry VIII of England, the material would be made of silk or wool, rather than the coarser fabrics used by the so called “lower classes”.
The technology remained reasonably the same, until the 1930’s when a new circular knitting machine meant garments could be made in one piece, and no longer needed to be sewn together.
A man named Julian Hill discovered that by pulling a heated rod from a mixture of coal, tar, water, and alcohol, he could create a filament that was strong, sheer, and silk-like in appearance. Further research led research led to the first synthetic fiber, which soon came to be known as Polymer. In 1937, Du Pont patented his discovery.
At the World’s Fair in New York in 1939, synthetic fibers were first shown to the public.
Taking the “NY” from New York, and adding “Lon” from London (the origins of stockings) came the word “Nylon”. The first Nylon stockings appeared in New York stores on May 15th, 1940. Women of course started wearing the newer, lighter, softer, nylon stockings and well over 72,000 pairs were sold in the first day alone, causing the Japanese silk market to collapse overnight.

During World War II in 1942, nylon production was switched into tent and parachute manufacturing for the military forces. American soldiers still wore silk stockings under their uniforms to prevent ticks and other woodland insects from crawling up into their genital area. During which time, women who could women who desired the look of wearing stockings would shave their legs and often draw a vertical line up the back of their legs to simulate the effect.
In 1953, Allen Grant Sr. of Glen Raven Knitting Mills developed a commercial equivalent named “Panti-Legs”, but didn’t introduce it to them to the markets until 1959. During this time another North Carolinian, Ernest G. Rice invented his own design (similar to what’s used today) and in 1956 submitted a patent title Combination Stockings and Panty.
It wasn’t until the 1960’s improved manufacturing made them cheaper, spandex (or elastane) made them more comfortable, and the miniskirt made them a fashion necessity.

Throughout the 1970’s and 80’s sales started to plummet, and women more preferred the “bare-legged” fashion. Pantyhose where no longer required in a workplace for women’s dress code.
While sales remain low, alternative styles have seen growth. Fishnets, patterns and colors, opaque tights, low-rise, footless shape wear, and pantyhose for men.

The company Legg’s has done research and has discovered that more men enjoy buying, and wearing their product than women.

Now there are many companies that make pantyhose for men, or today otherwise known as “Manyhose”
(which in my opinion is a ridiculous name).

Some of the companies worldwide are:

* ActivSkin
* Leve’e
* Legwear For Men
* Mytights.com
* Shapings.com
* Comfimay
* Lexwear
* Silk Stockings
* Kousenboetiek
* Luxelegwear
* Howieria
* Maennerlingerie
* Strumpfversand
* Kelkoo
* Taac.it
* Collants.fr
* Ferillo
* Loretta
* Derstrumpf
* Megasam
* Its4you
* Harisnyadiszkont
* Tights Fashion
* Tightsstore
* Modehaus Henssler
* Silver Lingerie
* Mentights.com/warntex

A link to each of these companies website can be found at
e-MANcipate.net, a website dedicated to the fashion of men wearing pantyhose as an everyday garment.

Men today who wear pantyhose are:
NFL football players who wear them under their uniforms for warmth, Hunters/Campers often wear them for warmth and to protect against ticks and other insects, Soldiers in Iraqi and Afghanistan are wearing them under their uniforms for protection against sand fleas, Men with varicose veins or other circulatory problems wear medical hose for to improve blood circulation.
There are hundreds if not thousands of men wearing pantyhose for hundreds of reasons. I can't speak for those men on the subject of why they wear pantyhose… I only have one: "They’re comfortable"!

A lot of the information in this report was information I found on Wikipedia. Other information was gathered on information that has been passed along to me from talking with random strangers who struck up interesting conversation after seeing a man wearing pantyhose (me).

How much of it is 100% accurate, I am unsure... What I do know is this:
Men have been wearing pantyhose since the beginning of the invention of Stockings, and men are still wearing pantyhose to this day.

Only after the 100 plus years that have passed where Women have taken over the Legwear fashion, men are finally stepping up, and taking back what was faded out. Only we're not really "taking it back". We're not greedy... Women look Great in pantyhose... we're just trying to share, and show the world that pantyhose are a unisex article of clothing.

-(giggle),

the couple pictured in e-mencipate.net looked kind of cute. , pretty nice hunk too..

Now that you mentioned that, I do believe probably many guys do love a pair of beautiful legs, even better if wrapped in hose in well revealed manner like short skirt, or shorts . Many ladies just loved those designs posted on earlier postings, fancy designs are cooled to have. Though myself not a big fan of it. I did notice on a few occasions, I went outing after works with my bf, when wearing shorts, he did to run his hand on my hose covered leg .. maybe there is this "in-thing" in many men, a bit fetish like. Now that I am thinking, if I can get a pair of those hose for him as gift, it can be a playful suggestion to ask him to wear it while going out with me. I am a big fan of "couple-dress", couple dressed alike. 

One thing for sure, I knew well about effect of black pantyhose, I usually opted for skin color,a good friend, my co-worker , her hosiery is usually is usually black, opaque or sheer, she did command good attention from men at times, especially while doing presentation with me at the side watching. Even some man stared at her from head to toe from time to time. Any ladies reading this, care to comment ?

ms

Rikrik,

"I would say that i'm kind of person who r more into feeling... "

I completely agreed with that 200% , I think we got past the resistant level of sweaty ~ too hot, small size ,constant runs blah blah blah with all those excuse why "pantyhose should be banned at all cost".. To me, yes, it feels good, makes my leg more attractive and pretty too, even send a few man out sweating..

Many ladies also had poor experience that probably drives them to avoid wearing pantyhose altogether. Also like to attribute the root cause to many local businesses that markets the hose, completely lack of knowledge from sales person, or having a sales person that hardly good experience wearing one at all. So, how to even sell and convince customer is a good buy ?

Irony is, even guys are enjoying that feel good factor while many gals are shunning it.

Just watch a re-run of Lara Croft- Tomb Raider, her rugged adventure outfit is kind of cool , I am thinking , pair the short with sheer glossy hose , oversize boots and white socks. Top it up with sporty bra, leave the oversize shirt unbutton to reveal some cleavage ,, so cool.. feminine from the inside and yet feels the power from the outside.

Last statement will sure send a few man reading this thread out sweating ....

So, guys & gals, any nice hose wearing ideas to share. ?

ms

Any reason of doing so?
More warm or for any health purpose?

More on comfort and I like the smooth feeling of a pair of good hosiery on my legs. I am alost a 24 hours wearer.

Maysee82 and evilhomura89, for M&S, you should check out the 40 denier pantyhose, I think they cost about RM60 upwards for 3 pairs...very nice quality and durable. It comes in a pack of 3.

I wear it up to waist. I think it will tends to roll down if you wear it from anywhere above waist.

ANother question for the crowd here. Has anyone tried wearing stockings with garter belt for a day?
I wear it few times, well...I got to say the experience is interesting. No big movement as I worried the garter belt might snap off. And the stockings starr rolling down. Later I discovered that a good garter belt, those with metal clasp, and of 6-8 straps, would actually prevent this. However, I think I will stick to the pantyhose, course I like the feeling of pair of pantyhose wrapping my waist area.

Rikrik, that is a good website. Some American brand is equally good as well, i.e. Hanes & Leggs as mentioned by maysee82. I realised that some affordable brands from Europe and American are pretty good quality, and not necessary you must go for those high end brands. Which is different from Malaysia. You almost certain need to pay a bomb to get a decent pair.

Hmm...went to the M&S in MidValley Gardens but I don't remember seeing anything like what you've mentioned.
I saw their 60d tights though - 3 pairs for RM69. And most of it having 10-15d only.

Yes, that's the one. My mistake, it is 6od. It's a bargain comparing to those cheap hosiery from other brand. This M&S can last you for a while.
Talking about cheap brand, I happen to have few pairs of grey colour pantyhose sold in Guardian. Quite smooth, and the colour looks nice under light. I saw a sales lady wearing it, so went ahead to ask her where she got it. She's quite happy to tell me, and I guess I'm lucky of not getting a slap on the face or weird look 

What brand are those? Guardian home brand?
Ooo..interesting experience

BTW, anyone here have wolford hosiery? Which one?
I'm thinking of getting my 1st pair...but I don't know which one to choose. Recommendation?
1. Wolford Fatal 50 Seamless Tights 
2. Wolford Miss W Tights
3. Wolford Velvet De Luxe 50 Tights
4. Wolford Velvet De Luxe 66

Yup Guardian home brand...

Definitely go for Fatal 50.
I have Fatal 50 and Velvent Deluxe in black, and few pairs of Satin in few shades (the Satin is considered the more affordable Wolford). The Satin is flat seam, and it feels so comfortable.

Try Fogal as well...I read that Gerbe is as good as Wolford, but cheaper.

Kinda feeling strange, two guys talking about hosiery.