Valentine’s Day the perfect occasion for pantyhose

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

The other day, the topic of this blog came up during a meeting with our vice president.  Kelly Linh said “All you ever write about is celebrities.”  To which I responded (in my ever-endearing style) with something like: “ ‘F’ you, beeeeeatch!”  (I can say that to her because she’s not just an employee, but also my dear little BFF.)

Besides, I like writing about celebrites.  Who else am I gonna write about, the girl in the department store not wearing pantyhose?  C’mon.

It’s celebrities who instigated the “bear” legs movement, and it’s celebrities who most influence fashion in everyday life.  I feel it’s my duty to recognize and heap loads of praise on those special entertainers who set a good and postive example by wearing pantyhose, and “dis” and sling tons of criticism at those who don’t.

And another thing … since it was Kelly Linh who pointed out that all I ever write about is celebrities, she’ll just have to understand that since this post isn’t about them, meaning I can’t include any pics of hot entertainers wearing pantyhose, she has forced me to look elsewhere for a source of photos for this post.

So, without her permission (but since I’m the boss), and since this post would look kind of “bear” without pics of a lovely lady in pantyhose, the photos you’ll see here are some candids I just happened to find among my private files.

Kelly Linh preparing to leave for work (well, "work" is too strong a word, actually).

OK, this post is for you, Kelly Linh.

Oh, and for Lester and Crystal, a married couple who each have written comments on this blog about their love and devotion to one another, and how Crystal’s wearing of pantyhose is a major factor in their happy and healthy relationship.  Was it them, or another reader who suggested I write a piece about what ideas men could come up with to try to get the women in their lives to wear pantyhose for them?

That was a great suggestion, and I was a bit surprised that more readers didn’t comment on that comment with their suggestions.

Kelly Linh in Act III Pink.

In any event, I have always believed that a loving relationship should be a 50-50 deal.  I mean a relationship is a partnership, a give and take, a yin and a yang.  And that means husbands and wives, or bfs and gfs, should make sacrifices for each other.  Whether the thermostat gets adjusted, a different TV show gets watched, or whatever, sacrifices always should be made.

I’m surprised that women today seem so unwilling to make the simplest sacrifice that 99 percent of the male population wants – them to wear pantyhose.  Actually, to even call such a thing a sacrifice is ridiculous.  It’s not as if men are asking their women to wear 6-inch heels every day.

There was a time (seems like a long time ago) when women wanted men to notice and appreciate little things about them, including how they dressed.  Of course, there has long been the notion that women dress for other women – not for men.  Today, I think women just dress for themselves and don’t care what anyone thinks.

Kelly Linh napping instead of working.

It’s sad that some women don’t take notice, or just don’t care, that men love them in pantyhose.  But when you’re in a relationship, I think you shouldn’t have to deny yourself the pleasure of seeing the one you love in pantyhose.

The key is communication.  You have to find the right time and have a heart-to-heart talk with your girl.  Then, you have to be sincere.  Don’t complain, don’t demand.  Just let her know that you think she is beautiful but that she would absolutely rock your world if once in a while she would wear pantyhose.  Tell her that to you it has nothing to do with what’s in style or not in style, what’s fashionable or not.  Rather, it’s something you have always loved and there’s no one you’d rather see in pantyhose than your wife (or gf).  Ask her to do this for you.

Kelly Linh puts her best foot forward in Act III Beige.

If there were ever a time for men to do this, it’s got to be this month.   What occasion could be better than Valentine’s Day for men to ask their women to wear pantyhose for them?  It’s the most romantic day of the year, and fortunately, women still want that to be a special day.  Yes, if there were ever a day when men could ask their wives or girlfriends to put on pantyhose for them, Valentine’s Day would have to be it.

Kelly Linh's tasty toes in pantyhose (Act III Suntan).

And so, we decided to help.  In honor of Valentine’s Day, and for the first time in our 11 years in business, ActSensuous offered our world-renowned beautiful and sexy pantyhose at half price.

I have to say I was thrilled with the response.  Many of our longtime customers stocked up on their favorite colors, and a record number of new customers for one month decided to give us a try.  In fact, we’ve more than tripled our usual numbers for orders in February, and half the month remains.

For those of you who bought ActSensuous to give as a gift to your special someone on Valentine’s Day, I’d love to hear from you.  Gentlemen, did you give your lady ActSensuous and ask her to wear them for you?  Did she oblige you, and was it fun for both of you?   And to the ladies who ordered ActSensuous, did you take my advice and wrap them up as a gift to give him to give to you?  Did he love it?  Did it make for the exciting night you anticipated?  If you want to share your stories, please feel free to write to Kelly at kellylinh@actsensuous.com

Kelly Linh looking awesome in Act III Suntan pantyhose.

Now back to our Kelly Linh.  Maybe you can tell from her last name she’s Vietnamese.   And she’s no Twinkie (yellow on the outside but white on the inside) either.  Well, OK, she actually is pretty Americanized,  but ethnicity-wise, she’s 100 percent Asian.  And, as such, she grew up constantly being told that she’s worthless because she’s female (sons are very important and highly valued in Asian culture; daughters, not so much).

Now, this is a girl who has not one, but two bachelor’s degrees and a small aircraft pilot’s license. (AND SHE ENDED UP WORKING HERE!!!  )

She’s an amazing person, but to this day, Kelly has no idea how incredible she looks in pantyhose.  I’ve tried to convince her, but she aint buying what I’m selling for a minute.  She says I’m biased.  Well, yeah, she’s got me there.

Nevertheless, I’m trying to convince her to become the next model on our website’s gallery.  Wish me luck.

I hope everyone had a Happy Valentine’s Day.

A Treat when Pantyhose show up unexpectedly

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

Frequent readers of this blog know that I  think pantyhose should be worn for the right reasons, during the right occasions and at the right places.  OK, so pretty much, always.  

Obviously, I want pantyhose at the office, the courthouse, the wedding, the funeral, the party, the stage, the TV studio, the movie set ….. you get the idea.  When this happens, I am so proud and very happy.

Today, it’s hard enough to see pantyhose worn in movies where the occasion and venues would seem to warrant it.   I like it a lot when it does happen.  So imagine the thrill I get when pantyhose show up on an actress in a role and a venue where one not only wouldn’t expect them, but in which one would actually forgive the character/actress for not wearing them.

This weekend, I watched one such movie, “Blood: The Last Vampire.”  

Beauty and the beasts

Now, I like a good vampire-killer movie, but throw in a Japanese setting, karate fights and samurai swords, and I’m all in, baby! 

So, I was excited to watch “Blood: The Last Vampire,” but I certainly didn’t expect to see the young heroine, Saya, wearing a traditional Japanese schoolgirl uniform, complete with pantyhose so sheer, even I didn’t realize she was wearing until almost halfway through the film. 

One-girl wrecking crew

I just wanted to check out the martial arts action sequences more closely, and when I put the DVR in slow motion to enjoy Saya’s beautiful spinning wheel kicks, I realized she was wearing pantyhose.  Wow! 

I was digging the movie anyway, but the fact that the actress, or the costume designer, chose to put the actress in pantyhose, even for the samurai sword and karate fight sequences, well, you had me at Japanese vampire.  

Dishing out demon destruction

Like the “Resident Evil” movies being based on a video game, “Blood: The Last Vampire” movie is based on the wildly popular and multiple award-winning Japanese anime cult classic series.  

I’ve read different accounts of the timeframe in which the live action movie version takes place, but most say it’s around 1966, during a period when the U.S.military is preparing to enter the Vietnam War.  The setting is an American Air Force base in Tokyo.  But while the base is on edge about the war, there’s already an unseen battle going on; a 400 years long fight waged by vampires and their monstrous bat-like creatures who feed on human blood.  

Soaring into action

Enter Saya, the lone execution arm of a covert government agency that has been hunting  demons for centuries.  She is installed as a would-be student at a military school on the base to discover which of her classmates are demons in disguise, and to force a confrontation against the most powerful demon of them all, Onigen, who murdered Saya’s father when she was a young girl.  

Sad soul

While Saya has the appearance of a 17-year-old student, she really is a 400-year-old samurai of extraordinary ability.  Saya is a half-human, half-vampire, who preys on the demons who feast on human blood.  

Joining forces with a secret government agency known as the Council, Saya is tormented at being a half-breed creature with the soul of her human father and the powers (and need of blood to survive) of her vampire mother.  

She is obsessed about finally facing the most powerful of demons – the one that killed her father – and, en route to the confrontation she seeks with Onigen, Saya wages a one-girl series of battles in which she dispatches with her samurai sword hundreds of lower level demons. 

Not so dark

Saya is played by beautiful Korean model/actress Jeon Ji-hyeon. (Remember, traditionally, Asian people say and write their family names first, and their given names second.  Because she’s young, I am going to call her by her first name here.)   By the way, don’t be confused: For an English audience, Ji-hyeon changed her named to Gianna Jun, and the film credits list her as only Gianna.   To complicate things further, some Internet sources list her name as Jeon Ji Hyun and Jun Ji-hyun.  I thought Jun Ji-hyun was accurate, but a  Korean movie data base site that I trust has her name listed exclusively as Jeon Ji-hyeon.  My feelings about these things is that one should always believe the way the country of origin spells and pronounces a name.   You’d have to think the Koreans know how one of their own spells and says her name. 

Whoever cast her in “Blood: The Last Vampire” is brilliant.  Ji-hyeon is one of Korea’s most popular young actresses, beloved for her starring roles in romantic comedies.  Who could have imagined she could pull off such an impressive performance in an action thriller, relying on martial arts fight sequences throughout?  In an interview, Ji-hyeon said she never imagined she’d play a part in an action movie, but that she had a lot of fun doing it and is hooked. 

While I haven’t seen any of Ji-hyeon other movies, I am extremely impressed at the transformation she makes of herself from a romantic comedy legend to a role in which her very dark character doesn’t smile once throughout the movie.

Always lovely

I am so glad I saw ‘Blood: The Last Vampire” because I am now a Jeon Ji-hyeon fan. 

I am so extremely impressed with her.   For a 27-year-old, she is very professional and classy, almost always wearing dresses, high heels and pantyhose during public appearances and in fashion photo shoots. 

It is so heartwarming to see a young professional displaying good taste and showing such grace and elegance in her young career.  I am looking forward to seeing more of  her. 

“Blood: The Last Vampire” is done by one of the producers of “Hero” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”   An extremely good story with wonderful acting and martial arts fights, “Hero” stars Jet Li, Maggie Cheung and Zhang Ziyi.  It is one of my favorite martial arts movies because the story is so beautifully told (and I love Maggie Cheung and Zhang Ziyi).  And, of course, you know all about “Crouching Tiger …”    

While “Blood: The Last Vampire” might not win any prestigious film awards, it is definitely worth checking out.  It often runs on the Encore channels.   

Pantyhose in other Action Settings

In some of my earlier blog posts, I’ve gloated over how often pantyhose are  worn by some of the female contestants and most of the female audience members at the site of the hit Japanese game show, “Ninja Warrior,” known as “the world’s toughest obstacle course.”    

Talk about pantyhose in unexpected places!    I so love the Japanese.   How many female athletes competing in a brutal obstacle course would be wearing pantyhose in Western countries?  And how many spectators sitting on bleachers at such a venue would be dressed in skirts, high heels and pantyhose anywhere except in Japan or other Asian countries? 

Resident goddess

Back to pantyhose showing up in movies in which you wouldn’t expect them,  I’ve often praised Milla Jovovich (and/or the costume designer) of the “Resident Evil” movies for dressing Milla’s character, Alice, in pantyhose for many of the scenes in which  she’s shooting and kicking the crud out of zombies. 

These rare cases are so impressive to me.   While today, so many movies that are set in business or formal scenes feature lead characters who dress up, except for the awful bare legs look, it’s so rewarding to see that some actresses (and/or costume designers) have so much class that they dress their star characters in pantyhose.   They truly get what so many others don’t – legs look so much better in pantyhose.

Delicate beauty, but ...

A couple of my other favorite action movies are “Beyond Hypothermia,” about a beautiful Chinese professional hit woman, who dispatches countless dudes, while dressed in lovely outfits, including high heels and pantyhose.  There’s just something about a delicately beautiful and petite woman (Wu Chen-Lien at right) dressed all femininely, while toting a high-power rifle that’s bigger than she is, and wielding assorted semi-automatic handguns.  Maybe it’s the juxtapositioning of the whole thing – pretty but deadly women, kicking butt, while wearing the most feminine thing in the world – pantyhose.  

And, you’ve read before how much I love “Princess Aurora.”  Don’t let the title fool you.  This is a Korean movie, starring the immensely popular Korean singer/actress Uhm Jung-hwa, who plays a heartbroken mother out to avenge the kidnap/murder of her young daughter (who loved the character, Princess Aurora.)  

Taking a stand

Despite the fact that this movie is pretty violent, it is a heart-wrenching, beautiful story, incredibly well-written and superbly acted.   I love Uhm Jung-hwa and will buy anything I can find that she’s done. 

Unfortunately, “Princess Aurora” is not available on DVD, but it is shown on IFC (Independent Film Channel) from time to time. 

Besides that I love this actress and this movie, one of the reasons I am recommending you see this is because Jung-hwa wears stunningly beautiful outfits, complete with high heels and pantyhose throughout the movie.  

While not quite as powerful or well done, another two movies I like are “Black Angel” and “Black Angel 2,” about a young Japanese woman who, years after witnessing the murder of her yakuza boss father, becomes an accomplished hit woman, who eventually extracts great vengeance on the new yakuza clan. 

Real-life angel?

The beautiful star who plays Black Angel is Riona Hizuki, who wears all black (naturally) dresses and pantyhose throughout the entire movie.

Seeing a trend with me here?  I guess I like movies in which women assassins extol the virtues of dressing femininely while blowing (mostly men) away.   Hey, I’m sure men would rather be done-in by a beautiful babe in pantyhose, than killed a little bit each day by women who go bare-legged.   Guys, am I right here?

Recently, I watched the movie “Salt,” starring Angelina Jolie as a CIA spy (or Soviet Union double-agent?).  In the beginning of the movie, her character wears a skirt suit with high heels, but sadly, no pantyhose.  Too bad.  I thought it would have been very attractive and sexy if she had been wearing pantyhose when she kicked off her heels to fight and flee once her cover was compromised.  

How about you?   Do you love it when you see pantyhose in unexpected places?   What’s your favorite action (or otherwise) movie, in which the lead actress wears pantyhose throughout?   Or, do you have a favorite pantyhose scene during a movie?   Please share so that we all can enjoy!

Seriously, why not Pantyhose and open-toe high heels?

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

     Since I started my blog in May 2009, I’ve written 30 posts.  I am really proud of a few of them: “Why Bears don’t wear Pantyhose,” “A good time to be Asian,” “Even Aliens wear Pantyhose.” 

     But the post that has been, by a wide margin, the most read, and seemingly, the most appreciated, is the one I wrote in January of this year, “Why not Pantyhose with open-toe high heels?”  So, as 2010 comes to a close, and I want to finish as strongly as I began this year, I feel compelled to give you what you obviously want. 

     Now, please don’t think that I couldn’t come up with something fresh and so decided to reheat this one.  OK, that’s actually pretty much the case, but seriously, during this entire year, I’ve been struck with what the stats show – that, when I have, for example, 200 visits in a day, 120 people read “Why not Pantyhose with open-toe high heels?”  

     Similarly, more readers have participated in the poll attached to that post than any of the others.  And the results?  As of this writing, of the 109 votes cast, 106 (97 percent) were for “Absolutely! Yes, please!” (to wearing pantyhose with open-toe high heels); only three were for “No way! No how! Never!” (3 percent); and zero for “Who cares?” 

     Because this post, and the ongoing debate over the subject, struck such a nerve with you, I decided to dig a bit further into the matter.  In January, my post began this way:

     Lately, I’ve read several posts on various blogs in which girls are asking for advice about what to wear to a special event.  Often – and I love this – they are open to wearing pantyhose but for the fact that they want to wear some sexy open-toe high heels and believe one is not supposed to wear pantyhose with such shoes.   Who made that rule?

      Today, my question is:  Who made these people “fashion experts?”

     This time, instead of stating my views, I went the scientific route and visited some websites of fashion magazines.  Like everything else on the Internet, you can find tons more information than you’re looking for, so if you want to see some of what I saw, you can write this in your Google search engine: top fashion experts on pantyhose and open-toe shoes

     In the interest of keeping the length of this post reasonable, I’ve selected for your viewing pleasure just three excerpts of advice/opinions about the topic from “fashion experts.’’ 

     Here’s the question posed to the experts: “Should you wear stockings with open-toe shoes?”

(Stockings?  Who wears stockings today?  I’m already offended.  Why couldn’t they just write pantyhose?)

     Below, you’ll see a direct quote from some of what these people wrote, a blurb about who they are and their qualifications, as well as mug shots where available, and my polite response to their idiotic statements.

• “I view it as one of the worst fashion offenses a woman can commit…   “When I see a woman wearing stockings with open-toed shoes, my first thought is that she must have some kind of nasty toenail fungus or calves covered with varicose veins.  Wearing stockings when it is not appropriate to wear stockings always makes it look as though you have some dirty little secret to hide. So if you must wear stockings, wear them with sensible shoes.  And if you must wear open-toed shoes, make sure that your toes are showing.  After all, that is the whole point of open-toed shoes in the first place.” 

Marlin Bressi

(Marlin Bressi:  An award-winning hairstylist and beauty expert whose work has appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers on several websites, such as Suite101.com, where he was Beauty Editor for two years.) 

     Hey, Marlin, it could be that the reason you used to be the beauty editor for two years is that someone finally discovered that you have no sense of fashion.  “If you must wear open-toed shoes, make sure that your toes are showing…”  Uh, two things for you, dude:  1.) Toes most certainly will be showing in open-toe shoes; 2.) Toes do show through pantyhose.  Nylon is sheer.  That means they’re see-through.  Go back to strumming your guitar and smoking dope, dope.   By the way, nice outfit.

• “Breathless with anticipation and wondering if you can wear pantyhose with bare toes? Relax, take a breath. The answer is no. Pantyhose and bare toes are not complimentary.” 

Anne Warchol

(Anne Warchol: A retired mother of three married children. People think I’m in my 30s, and I never tell them I’m 50.) 

     I got news for you, Anne.  It aint just that people think you’re in your 30s.  They also think you’re a moron.   “…wondering if you can wear pantyhose with bare toes?”  Seriously?  You can’t even pose the question properly.  Of course one can wear pantyhose with bare toes.  What – you think pantyhose are usually worn over socks?  “Pantyhose and bare toes are not complimentary.”  Huh?  Anne, you’re not only not qualified to weigh in on the topic at hand, you’re not qualified to leave your house.  And get a hairdo. 

• “Tights and stockings should not be paired together.  No way.  No how…”

 (Chelia Copeland:  Highly motivated, creative and versatile journalist with a graduate degree in journalism.  Over five years of writing/editing experience at a variety of newspapers, magazines, web sites, publishing companies and organizations.  No photo available.)

     Chelia, you’re a journalist with a graduate degree in journalism?  You’ve been a professional writer and an editor?  Well, so have I, and when I see two mistakes in one paragraph, I stop reading.  First, the issue is whether one should wear stockings with open-toe shoes, yet, your opening statement is “Tights and stockings should not be paired together.”  Huh?  Then, you write that you have “over” five years of writing/editing experience …”  Didn’t you learn in journalism school that the word “over” refers to a position in space, such as over the hill, or over the rainbow?  You should have written that you have “more than” five years of writing/editing experience … 

     Whenever professional writers get the little details wrong, they lose credibility in my book.  You lost me after your first paragraph, and I stopped reading.  So, while I don’t know why you are arguing against wearing hose with open-toe shoes, I really just don’t care what you have to say.  You have no credibility with me because, if you’re this sloppy in your own profession, you’re not qualified to comment on what is or isn’t fashionable. 

     There, see how delicately I handled these so-called experts?   Sorry, but I have little patience with stupid people – especially those who tout themselves as experts and then have the nerve to publish their views, despite the fact that they can’t construct a simple sentence.   I mean one knucklehead wrote that wearing pantyhose with open-toe shoes is ugly because the “seem” shows.  I guess he means the “seam.”  

      I wonder if any of these people have seen a woman wearing sheer pantyhose lately?  In many cases, unless you get probably way too close and/or stare with great intensity, you can hardly tell if she’s wearing pantyhose or not.  And today, even the seams are delicate and sheer.  And what if they do show?  I think it’s sexy. 

     Seriously, who made these people “fashion experts?” 

     As long as barely-educated windbags have a forum to express themselves, unfortunately, some women will be influenced by their stupid opinions.  I should point out that, thankfully, there are several writers taking the exact opposite position, so perhaps it all balances out.

      One positive about this raging debate is that there is one.  I mean as long as so many women are asking, and so many “experts” are answering, at least it’s a good sign for pantyhose lovers that so many people care.  Unfortunately, I believe the prevailing thought is this:  

     “The universal no-no is to never wear sheer nude hosiery with open toe shoes or strappy sandals — it just looks tacky.” 

      So states fashion expert Sharon Haver of www.focusonstyle.com

     I disagree with her.   Fortunately, so do many women who most influence fashion – actresses from throughout the world.   Check out the celebrities below.   Who’s going to tell them they are committing a fashion no-no?

Happy New Year, everyone!

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

Marlin Bressi

Anne Warchol

Lucy Liu

Milla Jovovich

Milla Jovovich

Anne Hathaway

Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba

Shu Qi

Karen Mok

Karen Mok

Gong Li

Gong Li

Maggie Cheung

Katie Holmes

ZiYi Zhang

ZiYi Zhang

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.

Pantyhose wearers catch more eyes

    

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

     From time to time, I hear from ladies who say they love wearing pantyhose because of the extra attention they get from men when they do.  

    They say they love it when they catch men staring at their pantyhose-adorned legs out in public. 

     Others tell me that their boyfriends or husbands are so grateful whenever they wear pantyhose, that they wear them often to please their men.

   More than anyone else, I hear from ladies who wear pantyhose at the office, sometimes because it’s required, or at least, expected. 

     In offices where the wearing of pantyhose is not required or particularly encouraged, it’s the ladies who are highly professional and classy who wear pantyhose of their own volition.  Those are my heroes. 

     These ladies tell me that when they wear pantyhose, they get a great deal more attention from their male co-workers.  But they say that this often causes a sense of uneasiness or even resentment among their fellow female employees.

Office girls in Korea would never not wear pantyhose to work.

     They tell me that female co-workers will approach them and say something to the effect of “You know, you don’t have to wear pantyhose.  You can go bare-legged.”  Or, “How can you stand to wear pantyhose every day?” Or (and I love this one), “Pantyhose are so  ‘out’ these days.” 

     Well, you know me – I think it’s downright pathetic when women blindly jump on the bandwagon in the name of what is thought to be “in or out of fashion,” especially if it gives them an excuse to be less feminine and not as desirable.  And I think it’s just plain wrong when women use that same excuse to go against time-honored business acumen, and then try to encourage others to do so, as well.    

     Anyway, it got me thinking:  How many of you have been approached by your co-workers about your wearing pantyhose at the office?   Or how many of you have noticed that you get more attention from co-workers, those in your circle, or people on the street when you wear pantyhose?

     Are you seen as a threat to your fellow females who don’t wear pantyhose and don’t want you to wear them either?   (And is that to keep you from garnering the attention of men, or to help them somehow  justify their own choice to not wear pantyhose?) 

     I’ll bet you have some stories to share.  Please do.

Office girls in China gather for a meeting. Wonder if the businessmen at this office find it difficult to concentrate?

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

Dancing with the Slobs a huge bust

     UPDATE:  Tuesday March 30, 2010 -

     You know that (annoying) TV commercial in which everyday people take credit for the new Microsoft Windows 7: “It was my idea.” ?

     Well obviously, DWTS listened to me, or read my blog, because more of the pro dancers and celebrity dancers wore pantyhose during Monday’s second episode and tonight’s Results Show of the 2010 season.  

     But not my favorite from the first show last Monday night, Nicole Scherzinger.  Bimbo.  I knew it was too good to be true!

Monday March 22, 2010 -    

Celeb dancer Nicole Scherzinger practices with pro partner Derek Hough, but unfortunately, was almost never seen in pantyhose during her actual performances.

I had stopped watching Dancing with the Stars many seasons and many reasons ago.  But you had to know I’d at least watch Monday night’s (March 22, 2010) opening episode to see if, by some miracle, any of the female celebrity and pro dancers wore pantyhose.   Would any of them show any class, or like during the Oscars, would most of them  wear fabulous costumes, jewelry and heels but go bare-legged? 

     Helloooo … this is ballroom, people!  Where’s the grace and elegance?  

     Two places, actually:

• First, as usual, the women in the audience looked better than the celebs and pros, as almost everyone of them wore pantyhose.  After all, these ordinary people have the class and good sense to realize they’ll be seen on national TV.  When the audience members dress better than the stars, the costumer associated with the show should be ashamed. 
• Second, toward the end of the show, there was a wonderful commercial for L’eggs pantyhose, featuring an absolutely gorgeous Asian girl wearing a variety of pretty outfits and pantyhose.  Wow!  A pantyhose commercial.  Haven’t seen one of those since, what, the 1970s?  

      In all fairness, celebs Niecy Nash and Nicole Scherzinger (photo above), and pro dancers Chelsie Hightower and Anna Trebunskaya did wear pantyhose. 

    But celebs Shannen Doherty, Erin Andrews, Kate Gosselin and Pamela Anderson, and pro dancers Cheryl Burke, Ashly Costa (too bad because she’s very cute and sweet), and Edyta Sliwinska (whom I’ve NEVER seen in pantyhose ever) went with the bare legs look. 

     Here’s what I don’t get:  Dancing with the Stars does an elaborate job and must spend an enormous amount of money on the set.   On the surface, the overall look and atmosphere is one of class, elegance and glamour.  The orchestra is first rate.  The concept is well conceived.  So what is with the costumer for this show?   Hellooooo.  This is ballroom! 

     You don’t see professional or even amateur figure skaters going bare-legged just because pantyhose “aren’t in fashion” right now.  And cheerleaders of professional sports teams (and some college teams) wear pantyhose (or at least tights).    

     And who cast these celebs, anyway?   It seems that the show thinks it has to feature women with huge busts (hence my title for this post) to pull in viewers.  Pamela Anderson?   “The most downloaded celebrity of all time?”  Huh?  And all the male cast members and celebs just went ga-ga over this?  Ugh, I must belong on a completely different planet. 

Insert (June 2010): OK, I must admit, I had never really given Pamela Anderson a chance.  She actually grew on me during the course of the show, which I did monitor (only to see who wore and who didn’t).  I have to give Pamela credit.  She isn’t the bimbo I’d expected.  She was funny, she can dance, she maintained a professional attitude and she brought character to each of her performances.  AND she often wore pantyhose.  So, I am now admitting that I prejudged her, and for that, I am sorry.   

      Am I wrong here?   Too hard on this show?   Is it OK for celebs and pro dancers of the ballroom to allow their wardrobe to drop to the depths of what we can expect to see on late night talk shows and award shows?  Does anyone care?

Please let me know your thoughts:  Dancing with the Stars — or Dancing with the Slobs?

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.