Credit ‘Wear’ Credit is Due – Carrie Ann Inaba

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

     As you must know by now, I am nothing if not fair.   I’ve criticized Carrie Ann Inaba in earlier posts because she didn’t wear pantyhose during appearances that called for it, be it on late night talk shows, red carpet events, or on Dancing with the Stars. 

     I have searched for pics of Carrie Ann on the Internet, and here’s what I’ve found.  I have NEVER seen a photo of her wearing pantyhose.  Let me repeat that: NEVER!  Not one picture out of the hundreds and hundreds of them on the net.  

     So when I learned she was going to be the host of the new version of the game show, 1 vs. 100, I figured she wouldn’t wear dresses or skirts, and certainly not pantyhose, but I hoped with all my energy that she would. 

     Well, I am so happy to say that she has not let me down.  I’ve watched … I don’t know … half a dozen or so episodes, and in each case, she has worn a nice dress or skirt and sheer pantyhose – every single time.  I am so proud of her.  

     Does this mean she is maturing?  Exercising good judgment?   Showing she has class and professionalism?  Or maybe it’s the producer of the game and/or the Game Show Network (GSN) who is making the calls here.  

     Either way, she looks fantastic.  I mean she is such a beautiful woman, it was such a shame that she never showed any class or professionalism the way she dressed before.

      As a TV game show hostess, well, she’s no Bob Saget, who hosted the original version of the game show, but hey, who is? 

     In fact, many fans of the show have complained (justifiably so) that her voice is annoying, she has no sense of timing and she seems very uncomfortable.  That was all true, but I figured with time, she would improve, and she has. 

     The show may not survive, but it wouldn’t be Carrie Ann’s fault.  It just isn’t compelling with the top prize (if a contestant outlasts 100 opponents in answering multiple choice questions) being a whopping $50,000, when it was $1 million in the original version.  And then there’s the mob itself – 100 people who are shown via web cams, instead of live on the set as in the original.   I think for this show to survive, it has to make some major adjustments. 

     But this post is about Carrie Ann stepping up in a new role for herself – game show hostess.   I am proud of her for dressing professionally and with class and grace.  Of the several episodes I’ve seen, there were only two in which she (sorry) looked ridiculous – the ones where she wore a short skirt and knee-high boots.  Yuk! 

     Since I can’t find stills from the show online, I decided to take some pics myself with my cheap digital camera on my 15-year-old 60-inch TV.   I couldn’t get close enough because the set lighting is so bright, and the picture quality of my TV is better viewed from at least 12 feet away. 

     So while the pics I’m posting here aren’t of good quality, at least they’ll give you the idea of the outfits Carrie Ann is wearing.  

     Here’s what I want to know, and not just about, Carrie Ann:  When you look this good in a skirt and high heels and pantyhose, why would you ever wear goofy, dumpy, sloppy, ugly boots?  It’s the least feminine look there is. 

      Since the two episodes in which she wore those awful boots, Carrie Ann has worn high heels the past four or so episodes in a row.  I would hope that she sees what she looks like in boots, as compared to high heels, and made a conscious decision to pretty up her look.  

     I hope this is not just a fluke.  I hope Carrie Ann sees the light now, and that this is the beginning of a career choice for her – to dress femininely, and with class and professionalism when appearing on nationally televised shows.  

     For what it’s worth, Carrie Ann finally has won me over.  Like another game show hostess – Meredith Vieira – she is doing the right thing.  She is showing class, and she looks beautiful and glamorous in a skirt, sheer pantyhose and high heels in a venue that calls for it. 

     Good for you, Carrie Ann.

Wearing Pantyhose an Issue of Values

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

     Ever since the global bare legs movement began right around the year 2000, I’ve tried to figure out how and why this happened. 

     We know that it was actress Sarah Jessica Parker’s character on Sex and the City that is universally “credited” with running pantyhose as a fashion staple out of Hollywood.   As the show was set in New York City – fashion capital of the world – it’s easy to see how women everywhere would jump on the bare legs bandwagon.  

     Its effect has been felt all over the world – although nowhere more prevalent among modern nations than in the United States. 

     Initially, the reason women gave for arbitrarily ending their decades-long commitment to wearing pantyhose was that the accessory had gone out of vogue, as evidenced by the fashion fad Parker’s show spawned. 

     But fads in fashion typically don’t stay around long, and eventually, women’s excuses for not wearing pantyhose turned to: 

• They’re uncomfortable (the fabric being hot, itchy and saggy most often cited)
• They’re not necessary (my legs are tanned enough) 

     I’ve never bought into the fad thing because I believe fashion always should be about good taste – especially when it comes to being professional in the workplace.  

     As for the excuse: “I don’t need to wear pantyhose because my legs are tan enough,” I think some women are just missing the point.  It’s not that simple.  Nylons do so much more than add a little color to your skin.  They cover minor skin blemishes, soften lines, and enhance the shape of your legs, giving them a look of perfection that bare or oiled legs will never have.  More than all that, pantyhose offer an allure, a sense of glamour and good taste. 

     If you read almost any blog about pantyhose, you’ll always find some women complaining that they’re uncomfortable.   Oh, come now!   That is a weak excuse given by those who are lazy, spoiled and apparently not well educated, as most of them can’t even spell the word pantyhose correctly.  

     I Googled this subject: “most uncomfortable women’s clothes” and was pleased to see that pantyhose, while they certainly made the list, weren’t exactly the Number One bad guy.  Most women cited high heels, bras and thongs as the most uncomfortable things they wore.  

     Somehow, I got sidetracked to uncomfortable uniforms, and found that female police officers in almost every country except the USA wear much more feminine uniforms, complete with high heels and pantyhose.  Check out this picture of Russian policewomen.

     In the U.S., where everyone is spoiled, we can’t get most women to wear pantyhose with a business suit in an air conditioned office.   Our women wouldn’t last a day in Russia, China, Japan, Korea, and most other countries, who clearly have higher standards of what constitutes proper dress, if not good taste.  

     But I’m not picking on just women here.  I stumbled across one blog in which the founder of some computer software company wrote that he didn’t wear business suits anymore and couldn’t imagine why anyone ever would.  His post elicited 416 comments – most agreeing with his point of view. 

     I think we have lost some of our good sense, our values and our judgment about how we present ourselves.  Pretty soon, Casual Friday will turn into Casual Tuesday-through-Friday-but-wear-something-businessy-on-Monday, just for old times sake.

     Here are some pics of female police officers in other countries.  And if you think these female officers are decked out in dress uniforms for only ceremonial occasions, notice that they’re also dressed this way on the street for routine duty.

A Good Time to be Asian II

 

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

     Last year, in one of my first-ever blog posts, I wrote that I was going crazy for all things Asian – especially because Asian women appear to be much more prolific wearers of pantyhose than their Western counterparts. 

     I say it’s A Good Time to be Asian because it seems as if the whole world is discovering their selling power.  Today, Asian women are highly visible and they’re everywhere:  

     They’re on television shows and in major motion pictures.  All over the world, they are the face of every huge cosmetics company.  They have at least a bit part in almost every TV commercial. They’re in every magazine, they’re on billboards, on staff at every news organization.     

     Why?  Because they are practically perfect.  They are beautiful, glamorous, sexy.  They are the epitome of what’s female.  They are classy, graceful, elegant.  They are delicately beautiful, yet physically, mentally and emotionally powerful.  They are awesome. 

      My best friend is Vietnamese.  She is extremely intelligent (she has two bachelors degrees and a pilot’s license); she has a wonderful sense of humor, she is tons of fun to be around, and she is beautiful (although she doesn’t know it).  She’s also totally devoted to her family.  She gives and gives and never asks for anything for herself. 

      I have read about and seen documentaries about Asian culture, and I admire their work ethic, positive attitudes and commitment to values. 

      Mostly, I love their devotion to femininity.  I’ve read that it is considered rude in Korea for women not to wear pantyhose in public.  In Japan, women apparently embrace pantyhose not only at the office and during formal events, but (and I love this), also in everyday settings.   Those of you who’ve read my blog know how I love watching Ninja Warrior because some of the female contestants wear pantyhose even though they know they are likely to fall into the muddy waters beneath the toughest obstacle course known to man.  And even the female spectators sitting in the bleachers at the outdoors event can be seen in dresses or skirts and pantyhose.  

     But of all the Asian cultures, my heart still is owned by the Chinese.  I’ve read more and seen more documentaries about China than any other Asian country.  For me, it began a long time ago with my becoming a Bruce Lee fan, but that’s a whole other story.   

     I set my DVR to record anything starring Asian actresses.  There are at least 30 Asian actresses (mostly Chinese) I regularly follow.  Of course, I love Asian-American actresses like Lucy Liu, Michelle Yeoh, Bai Ling, Sandra Oh and Joan Chen, but I also love many who are popular mostly in their own countries. 

     Below, I’ve put together a photo gallery for you of a few of the more famous Asian actresses wearing  pantyhose.  In the captions, which you can read by expanding the pictures, I’ve written a note about the movies you can see them in. 

     I’m sure I’ve left out a few of your favorites Asian actresses because of space issues.  I would love to know who your favorite Asian actresses are.  

(Have pictures of Asian actresses wearing pantyhose?  If so, please email them to me at Robin@ActSensuous.com and I’ll use them in a future blog/gallery.) 

     What do you think?  Is it A Good Time to be Asian?

So lovely

Cute and sassy

Sitting pretty

Flawless

Star power

Lounging legs

In control

Dressed to kill

High marks

High rise

High blood pressure

Class dismissed

Too cute

To die for

So sweet

Such a doll

Luscious legs

Feminine fighter

Most perfect?

Powerful presence

Boss lady

Captivating

I’ll Bai

Beautiful Bai

Image conscious?

Dressed up doll

She can do girlie

Pretty toes, too

A goddess

Belongs in nylon

I Love Lucy

Formal femme

Classy look

How lovely

Like a dream

Very professional

So sophisticated

Killer legs

Picture perfect legs

Three Times a Lady

Who knew?

Lonely walk

Last call

Need a ride?

Transport this

So adorable

Legs that can kill

Wow

So glamorous

Oh, those legs

OMG!

OMG again

Mesmorizing

Super sexy

She’s got legs

What a doll

Super sweet

Dynamic Duo

Super fabulous

So adorable

The babe is bad

Flying wonder

Leggie lady

Lethal legs

Warrior women

Grace and elegance

Absolutely perfect

Giving back

So gorgeous

Looks can kill

Good taste

Simply irresistable

She’s perfect

The best

Carrie Ann, how could you?

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

     “The judges have (get) their scores!

Carrie Ann Inaba  . . . . .  4!”

     I don’t watch the Tonight Show.  I like Jay Leno OK, but I’m more of a Late Show with David Letterman fan.  But for the first time ever, I watched the Tonight Show last night.  

     Why?  Because I wanted to see if Carrie Ann Inaba would make me proud, or disappoint me.  I fully expected to be disappointed, and I wasn’t disappointed, because she did disappoint me, as I expected. 

     See, I figured she’d wear some kind of short black dress during her appearance along with fellow judge Bruno Tonioli from the hit TV series Dancing with the Stars.  A small part of me had held out hope that Carrie Ann would wear pantyhose, but I knew I was kidding myself.  

     Carrie Ann gets to hide behind long gowns and a desk as a judge on DWTS, so I suppose she’s pretty much off the hook with whether to wear pantyhose on the show.  But I’ve seen a few photos of her during public appearances, and never have I seen her wearing pantyhose.  So, as I feared, she is one of those brainwashed celebs who’ve jumped on the bare legs bandwagon. 

     Now, I hate to be judgmental.  I mean she is a beautiful woman and she has tons of charm and personality.  But her legs looked perfectly AWFUL last night. 

     And those shoes!   I can never understand how so many women don’t seem to realize that big, cloddy shoes make their legs look so dumpy.  Sheer pantyhose and pumps would have been so much more attractive, not to mention appropriate.

      There are so many reasons I am bothered by Carrie Ann’s choosing to do the bare legs things:  

• Lack of judgment, misplaced values, missed opportunity, no self awareness, no sense of pride in how she looks, or maybe she just doesn’t care
• She could have/should have been an ambassador for the No. 1 rated TV show she represents had she bothered to dress for the occasion.  (She represents ballroom, which is a classy thing, yet, she must not think it deserves to be held in such a lofty place)
• Her willingness to follow the pack when she must have had better sense. (Didn’t her mother tell her she should wear pantyhose for the occasion?)
• She’s Asian, so I’d hoped she would know better

      Those of you who’ve read my blogs know that I hold Asian women in the highest esteem.  For one thing, Asian women appear to be more committed to femininity and have a higher sense of values than most of their Western counterparts.  And Asian women are far more prolific wearers of pantyhose – in the office, on screen and in everyday life.  Especially, Japanese women. 

      But, of course, I am speaking of “real” Asian women.  Carrie Ann Inaba, of Chinese, Japanese and Irish descent, is too Westernized.  She’s similar in that respect to Lucy Liu, whom I adore.  And it pains me to have to say this but Lucy Liu, a Chinese-American woman who was born and grew up in New York, almost never wears pantyhose during the many charity events, awards ceremonies and other high profile venues she attends.  At least, Lucy Liu wears pantyhose when it counts the most – her TV and movies appearances.

      I think it’s sad that Carrie Ann doesn’t seem to care about her image.  I really want to like Carrie Ann, but I’ve lost some respect for her. 

      Am I being too harsh?  I welcome your comments.  Meanwhile, check out the photo gallery from the Tonight Show:

Casual corner

No laughing matter

Help wanted

Help from above

Not exactly a 10

Outdone

Should I wear Pantyhose to a Job Interview?

    

Seriously, how could anyone get any work done with Asakawa dressed this way for the office?

     It is said that millions of people struggle with the question of what to wear to a job interview.  

     Having worked in an executive search and recruitment business for nearly 20 years, I’ve coached hundreds of women  (and men, although not about wearing pantyhose) on this subject, but just to be fair, I researched the subject on the Internet today to learn what is being taught right now. 

     Happily, Ive found that the advice of career experts is exactly the same as it’s been forever.  Yes, women should wear pantyhose to a job interview.  

     Look, if you’re going to interview for a job at Wendy’s, you don’t need to wear a corporate grey skirted suit, with high heels and sheer nude pantyhose.  Unless the opportunity there is for a regional manager or higher level position.

      So let’s say you’re interviewing for an office position in corporate America, and the company adheres to a business-casual dress code.  What then?  Still, you wear a suit, heels and pantyhose.  Why?  Because you’re on duty. 

     It doesn’t matter what the company’s dress code is, or if you’re just lucky enough to be interviewing on casual Friday.  You are the one who needs to make a good impression.  You should always dress the way a senior manager would, or should, because it shows good character, a good attitude and demonstrates that you are serious about wanting to work at that company. 

     You will never not get a job offer because you dressed better than you needed to during the interview.  But not dressing according to accepted standards of business attire could cost you an opportunity.

     In his book, When Job-Hunting: Dress for Success, Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., of Quintessential Careers, writes:

“The standard job interviewing attire for women is a conservative dark navy or gray skirted wool blend suit.  Job experts and employers seem split on the notion of pants suits, so a skirted suit is a safer choice.  Makeup should be minimal, with lipstick and nail polish conservative tones.  Pantyhose should be flawless (no runs) and conservative in color.”

     Yes, but he’s a man, you say?  OK, well, according to Kim Zoller at Image Dynamics, 55 percent of another person’s perception of you is based on how you look.  Her Dressing for Success suggestions:

• Solid color, conservative suit
• Coordinated blouse
• Moderate shoes
• Limited jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Tan or light hosiery

     OK, think that’s just old school?  

     How about what CollegeGrad.com has to say:

• Always wear a suit with a jacket; no dresses
• Shoes with conservative heels
• Conservative hosiery at or near skin color (and no runs!)

     It’s not rocket surgery (a cross between rocket science and heart surgery) here, people.  Just because Hollywood created the bare legs phenomenon to which women all over the world now subscribe, it doesn’t change the fact that in the real world, there still are standards of right and wrong, good and bad, acceptable and unacceptable. 

     And in the workplace, especially during a job interview, pantyhose should always be worn.

A good time to be Asian

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

That’s what I tell my best friend/employee.  She’s Vietnamese-American, and an absolute doll.

You see, Asian women today are showing up everywhere in the world on TV, TV commericals, movies, magazines.  Why? First, Asians are probably the world’s most beautiful women.  Second, it seems they are much more prolific wearers of pantyhose than Westerners and all other nationalities.

Maybe it’s just part of the Asian culture – they seem to do everything elegantly and gracefully – and they appear to be much more professional-minded in the workplace, always wearing business suits, high heels and pantyhose.  I read on the Internet that it’s considered rude in Korean culture for girls to show bare legs in public.  I think I love Korea.

So, it’s a good time to be Asian because it seems like the whole world is discovering Asia.  Not since the superhuman Bruce Lee revolutionized martial arts and introduced it to movie audiences throughout the world and brought global attention and pride to China, has there been such an explosion of Asian talent in the mainstream media of today.

I admit, I am hooked.  I can name 20 major Asian actresses off the top of my head.  I’m sure I could think of many more if I really tried, but the ones I’m counting are well known (including Lucy Liu (love her), Sandra Oh, Joan Chen, Michelle Yeoh (OMG), Maggie Cheung, Gong Li (gorgeous is not enough of a compliment), Ziyi Zhang (the most perfect woman in the world), Bai Ling (wow), Shu Qi (adorable) and Maggie Q).  Wow, all of them except Maggie Q (mostly Vietnamese) are Chinese.  OK, so there’s Devin Aoki (Japanese) who starred in “D.E.B.S.,” and Jet Li’s “War.” And, one of my faves, Uhm Jung-hwa  (Korean) who starred in “Princess Aurora” (an exciting, heartwrenching mystery/drama, which also is beautifully written and acted).

I’m trying to get our little Asian employee to model for us because she looks absolutely awesome in ActSensuous pantyhose, but she is so modest.

Quick Question: Would you like to see a gallery of pics of our lovely little Vietnamese girl modeling ActSensuous pantyhose?  If so, please leave a comment below.

We have a few Asian customers, but I’d love to have many, many more.  Please tell your Asian friends about ActSensuous.  Also, I am pleading with our Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai customers out there: Send us photos of you wearing our beautiful, sexy and decidedly feminine pantyhose.  I’d like to start an all-Asian models category of the gallery on our website.  Please honor us with your beauty and grace.

What do you think, readers?  Are you Asian crazy yet?  Please click on the comment link below this post and tell us your thoughts.  It’s completely anonymous to participate. Only the name you provide will appear along with your comment.