Keeping Legs Under Wraps

High-end hosiery is the hot accessory of the moment

By Timothy R. Schulte
CTW Features

It’s no secret that after brides say, “I do,” many say, “No way!” to wearing hosiery on their big day. Those ubiquitous beige pantyhose went out of favor as “Casual Fridays” took hold in the workplace in the ’90s.

But, hosiery has staged a comeback in the last year, thanks to the importance of leggings and tights on the fashion runways. Wolford AG, the Austrian maker of high-end hosiery, unveiled a sassy Web site in the United States for its hosiery and ready-to-wear collection. Fashion designer Anna Sui launched her own tights collection.

While some brides on wedding website message boards bemoan the discomfort of hose or worry about getting too warm in nylons during summer weddings, others tout the plusses of a little leg support. Hosiery can create a smooth and unblemished leg line for photos and prevent foot blisters if your feet sweat and rub in your shoes. Control-top hose, such as Spanx, can create a slimmer waistline.

Wearing hosiery is advisable for formal weddings and when brides want to walk down the aisle in closed-toe shoes, like pumps or stilettos. A bride’s dress color will usually dictate the best color for her hosiery. Buff and nude are standard options, though some brides may choose wedding-day white. Bolder brides can wear fishnets, sheer nylons in subtle shades such as linen with a hint of shimmer or even nylons printed with a rose or butterfly at the ankle (daring brides can even personalize their hose with their groom’s name). Fashion icon Grace Kelly reportedly wore $150 pearl-trimmed stockings made by Willys de Mond of Hollywood for her 1956 wedding to Prince Rainier III of Monaco, according to H. Kristina Haugland’s biography of the star, “Grace Kelly: Icon of Style to Royal Bride.”

Thigh-high nylons are an alternative for brides wanting to wear garter belts; they’re also more convenient for using the restroom.

Brides may find a few brands of nylons at bridal boutiques, but they may need to seek out department stores, such as Saks Fifth Avenue or Nordstrom, or Web sites like barenecessities.com or victoriassecret.com, for their wedding-day hosiery. But, whether they splurge on high-end lines like Wolford or stick to stockings at J.C. Penney, brides have plenty of options with which to step out in style on their nuptials.

Copyright © CTW Features