Pantyhose and neckties

This morning I listened to Diane Sawyer and Robin discuss pantyhose. Then I listened to Whoopi and The View gang discuss pantyhose again. You know, the pros and cons of wearing them.

It seems that woman is rebelling against wearing them. Women are opting to go barelegged.

It's all about comfort, they say. So what if it doesn't look as professional or as polished, some argue.

Why should they have to be wrapped in those vice-gripping devices.

Time was when a woman would never venture out without her pantyhose, especially to church or at social functions, like weddings. It was a requirement. Going barelegged was a virtual no no.

Problem is, women have always had a hard time finding hosiery that fit. Often the hose comes up short in the crotch and won't pull up where they belong. Others sag because the hosiery legs are too long. Others didn't reach up high enough to the waist and feel more like low cuts. And, face it, often they are just plain too tight.

Sure, there are charts on the back of the packaging but It has been my experience that if I buy the size recommended, they are too small. Sizing is almost a hit and miss proposition among brands. Until you try them on, you really don't know what you're getting. And, of course, you can't try on hosiery until you buy them.

Often, pantyhose causes the wearer to feel bound, restricted in movement.

And another thing, hosiery isn't durable. They easily snag or get runs. Yes, manufacturers tout runfree, but that's just a word, not reality Today it isn't unusual to pay five bucks for a pair of pantyhose that won't last over three or four wearings.

I've gotten a run in new hosiery just putting them on for the first time. That's how fragile they are.

Frankly, I don't like pantyhose. But I have to say they keep the legs warm in cold weather. They make a difference when cold winds blow.

But woman has come up with a solution to that too. More and more are choosing pantsuits for church and social outings. They know that pantsuits protect the legs and keep them warm in wintertime. Rather than wear pantyhose, they wear knee highs which are less restricting.

This morning on The View, Whoopi asked for a show of hands of women in the audience who were wearing pantyhose. Not one woman raised her hand.

Now about neckties.

I have always sympathized with men who feel obligated to wear suits, long sleeve shirts, and neckties when temperatures soar in mid summer. I don't blame them one bit for shedding those neckties when they are sweltering.

In fact, on Channel 8 news on Monday, I heard that men are ditching ties. Some tie shops are shutting down due to poor sales. It's true that necktie sales floundered in the past decade among older men.

One man interviewed, said he stopped wearing ties in the workplace because ties feel like choke chains.

Now that tie sales are at an all time low and pantyhose are apparently on their way out, the dilemma is what to do with those leftover nylons and ties, languishing in dresser drawers.

I have a few suggestions.

The hosiery can be dissected and used in a variety of ways. The legs can be used to store onions or flower bulbs. They can be used to tie tomatoes to a stake. They make nice shoe polishing cloths or stuffing in pillows or stuffed toys. They can be used as a paint strainer or as a liner for a flower pot.

The legs of hosiery might be used to tie up papers, hoses or rolls of wire. The feet can be used to store odd bits of soap. Just tie the end and keep it near the sink for handwashing.

And the legs could be filled with cedar chips or lavender and hung in closets for a nice scent. Just tie the ends and hang them up.

I imagine those discarded ties could be recycled into useful handicrafts too.

How about a tie quilt, ladies?

Or colorful belts for jeans.

Or a dog leash

Or.an area rug or wall hanging,

Or a windsock or curtain tiebacks,

Or an apron or a vest,

A christmas tree skirt, or stocking or wreath, or a

golf club cover or bottle carrier,

A decorative pillow, or a funky purse,

Or a coat of many colors,

Or a tug rope.

Or just tie one around the neck of your garden scarecrow.

The ideas are endless for pantyhose and neckties.

Just think about it.

There might be a blue ribbon in the works.