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.

Two Jolie thrillers – One a thrill for Pantyhose lovers

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

This month, I’ve watched two very different Angelina Jolie thrillers on DirecTV, both of which I had missed at the theater.  One was a Hitchcock-inspired thriller set against the beautiful backdrops of Paris, France and Venice, Italy, “The Tourist,” complete with classic film noir glamour in its costumes.  The other was a better action-oriented, spy movie that wasn’t worth its “Salt” when it came to the costumes.

Oh, the difference a movie’s costume designer can make. 

Responding to one of my earlier posts, “A treat when pantyhose show up unexpectedly,” Julio commented about Jolie wearing pantyhose throughout “The Tourist.” 

“The Tourist,” tells the story of an American tourist, Frank, (played by Depp) who meets a mysterious beauty, Elise, (Jolie) on a train, while traveling through Europe.  While the flirtatious encounter appears innocent, we soon learn that Elise deliberately crosses Frank’s path as part of a much more sinister plot, leading to a whirlwind romance and dangerous pursuits, as both dodge deadly criminals through historic streets of Paris, and the winding canals inVenice.

Angelina Jolie looks stunning in 'The Tourist.'

While “The Tourist” is a pretty good thriller on its own merits, the movie is helped by the beautiful scenery, which includes Jolie herself. 

Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood dressed the characters in classic, contemporary clothes “to complement but not overwhelm the breathtaking settings of Paris andVenice.”   

Atwood, who won Oscars for costume design for “Chicago” and “Memoirs of a Geisha,” told People Magazine, “My inspiration for Elise’s costumes were the Hitchcock movies – minimal elegance.  In a Hitchcock movie, everyone looked great, even if (he or she) was not a particularly chic or fashionable character.”

Jolie dressed in classic film noir glamour in "The Tourist.'

Mission accomplished in “The Tourist.” 

 

From the outset, one cannot take one’s eyes off Jolie.  In the opening sequences of the movie, Jolie wears a cream silk dress, a mocha wrap, elbow-length leather gloves, towering stilettos, and very sheer nude pantyhose, which in some lighting seem to have a cream tone themselves. 

It was so nice seeing Jolie in those very sheer and soft-textured pantyhose, especially because of the shoes she wore with that outfit, supplied by legendary designer Salvatore Ferragamo. 

Those suede, rose-colored stilettos with gold metal heels quickly earned their own identity (the Elise), named after Jolie’s character in “The Tourist,” and available at retail for $750 a pair.

Knowing Atwood’s work on such films as “Chicago” and “Nine,” as well as her devotion to classic film glamour, it’s no surprise that Jolie wore pantyhose throughout the entire film.

What is a surprise, however, is that wonderful scene our reader, Julio, described earlier.

Said Julio:

Another lovely surpise happened in “The Tourist” starring the always sexy Angelina Jolie.  About halfway through the movie, both she and Johnny Depp start to undress, each in their own rooms, and there it was – a very short glimpse of Angelina stepping out of her shoes, revealing the most lovely pantyhosed feet.  Too bad the surprise only lasted a second, but the image lasts forever.

Right then, I made a mental note to see “The Tourist,” and I got that opportunity, as it was on one of the Starz channels last night. 

That scene is exactly what’s been missing in film for decades.  When Elise slips out of her heels, the camera doesn’t cut away or pull back, or come at an inconvenient (for us) angle.  Rather, the scene is shot close up, and we get a close, clear look at Jolie’s very pretty nylon-covered toes, albeit, for only a couple of seconds.  It’s the sexiest such scene I’ve seen in about a hundred years.  

It makes me wonder why a scene like this is never shot today, and why it was shot in “The Tourist.”  For the past, well, ever really, a scene like this – if it were done at all – would be shot far away, the angle would be wrong, and the actress would have curled her toes in a way that the audience wouldn’t have gotten a good look.  And, if she were actually in pantyhose, they would have had a reinforced toe, or would have been so dark or so thick, you wouldn’t have been able to see anything. 

But in “The Tourist,” this scene is delicious.  The pantyhose is so sheer and delicate that they do what they’re supposed to do – enhance the beauty of what they cover.  This is what so many women today don’t get.  

If those stilettos Elise was wearing were open-toe or even peep-toe shoes, all the “fashion experts” would have said that the character shouldn’t have been wearing pantyhose with them.  Yet, this scene in “The Tourist” clearly shows why that thinking is just ridiculous.  The pantyhose Jolie wore were completely sheer.  One couldn’t even see a seam (not that it would matter to me because I think it’s sexy anyway), and the nylon made Jolie’s feet absolutely beautiful. 

It makes me wonder how this scene even made it into the final cut.  It wasn’t essential to the story in any way, but it was done so beautifully and tastefully.  Could this mean that someone with influence over the script – a writer or director – “gets it?”   Is this a case of someone giving the millions of people out there with a foot fetish or a pantyhose fetish (or both if we’re truly tortured souls) what they so long for – a closeup of pretty toes in pantyhose? 

Or, could it be that this scene was shot to focus our attention on those fabulous shoes, and Jolie’s pantyhosed feet were just a freebie for us?  I guess if you’re the sexiest shoes on the planet, you deserve a closeup, and ….. wait for it ….. the lovely lady wearing you had better be in pantyhose to honor your true beauty and sexiness. 

More often than not, I am disappointed in movies because the costume designer ruins the look of its female lead by dressing her in fabulous costumes, but bare legs.  

Jolie flees CIA headquarters in Washington, D.C. during a scene from the movie, 'Salt.'

A case in point is the other thriller starring Jolie, “Salt.”  Jolie plays a CIA agent named Evelyn Salt, who, while interrogating a Russian defector, is told (as her superiors listen) that she is actually a Russian sleeper agent who will assassinate the president of Russia during his upcoming visit to New York City. 

The movie then goes into practically nonstop action, as Salt employs all her spy skills to elude capture.  She runs, climbs buildings, jumps on moving trucks, and pretty much just kicks everyone’s rear end who tries to stop her, while she tries to learn the truth about her identity and clear her name. 

 In this movie, Jolie is at first dressed in what would seem to be the usual “spy wear” for a female agent, a skirt suit, pumps and ….. wait, no pantyhose?  That can’t be.  I can’t believe a CIA agent based in Washington, D.C. would be bare-legged.  

This is all the more disturbing because it follows the same thinking as another disappointing spy show, starring Piper Perabo, who is almost always bare-legged in the TV drama, “Covert Affairs.”  

While I have no way of knowing whether real-life female spys routinely wear pantyhose as part of their usual dress, I know this: costume designer Sarah Edwards didn’t do Jolie any favors in calling for bare legs with her suit.  

I hate missed opportunities, and so when Salt tries to extricate herself from CIA headquarters, there’s a scene where she kicks off her pumps, exposing some Casper-like white tootsies with bright red toenail polish.  I thought then (before I saw “The Tourist”) that this scene would have been really sexy if she had been wearing pantyhose. 

Now that I’ve seen just how gorgeous Jolie’s feet were in pantyhose in “The Tourist,” I feel even stronger that costume designer Edwards blew it in “Salt.”

For those who think it doesn’t make much difference, consider these movie stills from “Salt” and “The Tourist.”  

When seen in their expanded state, who could honestly say that Jolie’s character in “Salt” looks equally as lovely as her character in “The Touist?”

I have to wonder how much credit the costume designer in movies gets, versus how much influence the actress has over what she wears.   I would have to think that someone of Angelina Jolie’s status would insist on her character wearing pantyhose if she felt strongly about it, but maybe it doesn’t work that way.

But how can Jolie watch herself in “Salt” after seeing how much more beautiful she looked in “The Tourist?”

Maybe next time, she’ll demand more say over her wardrobe and choose pantyhose.

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

‘Burlesque’ a great movie/musical for Pantyhose

     If not for her starring role in the upcoming movie/musical, “Burlesque,” Christina Aguilera likely would have made her way into my column, Credit ‘Wear’ Credit is Due.  That’s because, long before Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Beyonce and a handful of other current pop stars, Aguilera has been a devoted pantyhose wearer on and off stage.  

     “Burlesque,” which opens in theaters on Nov. 24, gives me an excuse to recognize Aguilera now for her pantyhose prowess. 

     Born Dec. 18, 1980, Christina Aguilera is an American pop singer, songwriter, dancer, and officially now, actress.   Known during her childhood as “the little girl with the big voice,” singing in local talent shows and competitions, Aguilera always aspired to be a singer. 

     Indeed, Aguilera has been compared to the likes of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.  A review in the Los Angeles Times compared Aguilera’s vocal stylings to Barbra Streisand, Gladys Knight and Aretha Franklin.  

     “Burlesque” stars Aguilera in a role it seems she was born to play: A small-town girl, Ali (Aguilera), ventures to Los Angeles and finds her place (as well as love, family and success) at a neo-burlesque club run by a former dancer (aptly played by Cher). 

     In the movie, the burlesque club apparently encompasses not just striptease and comedy routines, but modern dance and mini-theatrical plays, performed by barely dressed women in fishnets. 

     Beginning in the early 18th century, burlesque was a form of musical and theatrical parody, in which a serious or romantic opera, or a classical theatre piece, was adapted in a broad, often risqué style that ridiculed stage conventions.

     The popular burlesque show of this period eventually evolved into the striptease which became the dominant ingredient of burlesque by the 1930s. 

     Stockings were around as early as the 16^th century, mostly in the black wool variety, until silk stockings debuted in the 17^th century.  These garments helped define the burlesque era.

     During the 1920s, silk or artificial silk (rayon) stockings ruled the flapper era of the Roaring 20s. 

     After World War I (1914-1918) short skirts were fashionable and long silk stockings were worn. Nylon was invented in 1930 by Dupont, and after World War II (1939-1945), nylon stockings became popular and completely replaced silk stockings until the late 1960s, when pantyhose replaced stockings and never looked back.

     Previews for “Burlesque,” look very exciting – lots of great music, dancing and pantyhose-adorned legs in action.  

     While pantyhose hadn’t been invented during the burlesque era, today, Hollywood and modern live burlesque-style shows can and do take creative license in adding the sexy wardrobe accessories to the costumes for movies and musicals depicting the jazz, burlesque and flapper eras from as early as the 16^th century, to the roaring 20s, through today. 

     And here’s something I love: when some of the dancing girls in these movies wear nylon stockings, they usually are wearing very sheer-to-waist pantyhose underneath them.  But mostly, I love that the majority of the dancers in these movies just wear pantyhose, as if no one would notice or care that that makes the film historically inaccurate.  I don’t care.  I love that pantyhose are viewed as so important and necessary by the writers, directors and/or costumers of these productions.

     During the 2000s, there have been quite a few successful movies depicting the jazz, burlesque and flapper eras.

‘Nine’ 

     This movie/musical, described as vibrant and provacative, tells the story of film director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) as he contends with personal and professional crises near his 40^th birthday, while trying to balance the demands of numerous women in his life including his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penelope Cruz), his muse (Nicole Kidman) and his confidant (Judi Dench). 

     Set in 1960s Venice, “Nine” was directed by Rob Marshall (who also directed “Chicago”) and also starred Kate Hudson, Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson and Sophia Loren.  It was released in December 2009. 

     The original Broadway production debuted in 1982 and ran for 729 performances, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

 ‘Chicago’

      ”Chicago” is a dazzling spectacle that is extremely well written, well acted and wildly entertaining.  It centers on the themes of celebrity, scandal and corruption during Jazz Age Chicago.

     Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Roxie Hart (Renee’ Zellweger)  are two criminals-of-passion who find themselves awaiting trials for murder in 1920s Chicago.  Velma, a vaudevillian, and Roxie, a housewife with aspirations of having the same profession, fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows.  The film also stars and gets fabulous performances from Richard Gere, Queen Laifah, John C. Reilly and Christine Baranski (“The Good Wife“). 

     Directed and choreographed by Rob Marshall, and adapted for film by screenwriter Bill Condon, “Chicago” won six Academy Awards in 2003, including Best Picture.

 ‘Moulin Rouge!’

    A young English writer ventures to Paris during the 1899 Bohemian revolution that holds in its grip the city’s drug- and prostitute-infested underworld, never more evident than at the Moulin Rouge night club.  

     The movie/musical of 2001, directed, produced, and co-written by Baz Luhrmann, was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Nicole Kidman, and won two: for art direction and costume design.

     The movie stars Ewan McGregor as Christian, a young, English poet/writer, who falls in love with Nicole Kidman as Staine, a cabaret actress and the star courtesan of the Moulin Rouge. 

     The production is lush and elaborate, featuring the musical setting of the Montmartre Quarter of Paris, France. 

      I haven’t seen “Nine” yet, but I plan to buy the DVD.  “Chicago” and “Moulin Rouge!” were great movies for showcasing pantyhose.   It appears that “Burlesque” will be a great movie for pantyhose lovers, too.  

     I just hope “Burlesque” delivers a story with as much charm and fun of “Chicago.”   From the previews I’ve seen, it certainly appears that the glitter and glam is there.  We’ll find out beginning on Nov. 24. 

     By the way, I intentionally left out the movie, “Showgirls,” which was great for pantyhose, but a weak and poorly written/acted storyline in my opinion. 

     Perhaps this trend of movies/musicals depicting the jazz, burlesque and flapper eras will do as much for creating an attraction for pantyhose among young women, and sparking renewed interest in pantyhose among more seasoned viewers, much the same way pop stars, such as Madonna, Lady Gaga and others, have been doing recently.

     What do you think?  Do you like these kinds of movies/musicals that feature beautiful ladies in exotic costumes, including pantyhose?   The genre seems like a dream come true for those of us who can’t get enough of our favorites celebrities embracing pantyhose on the grandest of stages.

Why not pantyhose with open-toe high heels II?

Update:  As of May 15, 2010, 74 of you had voted on the poll attached to the original post I wrote on this subject in January.  Of those, 72 (97 percent) chose the answer, “Absolutely! Yes, please.”   So only 2 of the 74 cast a “No” vote.   That begs the question:  What monkey came up with the rule that one should NEVER wear pantyhose with open-toe high heels?

I like it when you agree with me.   Good job with that.

Perfect

Thank you to those who wrote comments about my January post, “Why not pantyhose with open-toe high heels?”

I try to be relevant, if not compelling, in this blog — hoping to get more of you involved in it.   I really thought more of you would weigh in about pantyhose with dress sandals because my research showed that so many women absolutely believe this is a fashion no-no. 

Well, of the whole six (yeah, six) comments I got about my post in January that it’s not only OK, but really sexy, to wear pantyhose with open-toe high heels, all of them were positive.  Men and women agreed.

But while I wrote in the first sentence of this post that I like when you agree with me, seriously, it’s OK if you have a different opinion.  The content in this blog is open to debate.

I would just like to know why so many women believe it is wrong to wear pantyhose with open-toe dress shoes.  I think women everywhere believe they should never do this, but I’ve never heard anyone explain why?

Just look at the attached photo (you can expand it by clicking on it).  I dare anyone to say that pantyhose should not be worn with open-toe high heels.

And for those who say that it is unsightly for the (delicate little) seam across the toes to show, I say that that is actually kinda sexy.

Let the debate continue!

Why not pantyhose and open-toe high heels?

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? 

While pantyhose of the 1960s predominantly were made with a reinforced heel and toe, beginning in the early 1970s, pantyhose evolved to sheer heels and toes, specificially for wear with dress sandals. 

In fact, some pantyhose are so sheer, it can be difficult to tell whether a woman is wearing them with open-toe high heels or not.  And on a TV show or a movie, without a closeup, it’s practically impossible to tell.  

I say it can be beautiful and extremely sexy to wear sheer pantyhose with open-toe high heels.  Pantyhose can make nice legs lethal weapons.  Likewise, they can make nice feet incredibly gorgeous and erotic.   Remember, that’s the whole idea behind pantyhose – they enhance a woman’s natural beauty.  Most guys get that.  Funny how so many girls don’t seem to.    

Always known for wearing exotic outfits on stage, singer Cher, shows her lovely toes in Suntan pantyhose and high heel sandals.

To support my case, I’ve attached this photo for your viewing pleasure. Now, you tell me ….. pantyhose, or no pantyhose, with open toe high heels? 

Want more?  See the gallery I’ve put together for you of a few notable celebrities wearing pantyhose with dress sandals.  (Scroll down below the poll.)

I rest my case. 

Happy New Year, everyone. 

Robin Maryland 

 

Here’s a gallery of celebrities (what do they know?), who must not have gotten that memo about not wearing pantyhose with open-toe high heels.  Enjoy! 

Always known for wearing exotic outfits on stage, singer Cher, shows her lovely toes in Suntan pantyhose and high heel sandals.

Nice

Always classy

Still got it

Yes!

Perfect 10!

Just adorable

She’s awesome

Incredible

She’s amazing

Absolutely stunning

Too cool

Love her no matter what

Not enough credit

So sexy

Good friend

Got the look

WOW!

Always classy