Who’s the hottie in that Verizon Black Friday TV commercial?

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

  I hope all of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving Day celebrations and Black Friday shopping sprees. 

  In January of this year, one of my more popular blog posts was Credit ‘wear’ Credit is Due – Who’s that T-Mobile Girl?  That one got a lot of responses and still is frequently read today.  Actress/model Carly Foulkes is the hot little number rocking those pink dresses and sheer nude pantyhose.  

  Sometimes when I write these things, I secretly worry that as soon as I draw attention to someone for being a devoted wearer, all of a sudden she’s going to stop.  Thankfully, that hasn’t been the case with Carly, whom I praised in my post for having the professionalism and class to wear pantyhose with that outfit during an era in which that isn’t always done.  But I also gave credit to the person at T-Mobile, or the advertising company, for his or her decision about how to dress Carly for that spot. 

Actress/model Carly Foulkes is affectionately known now as "The T-Moble girl."

It’s impossible to know whether Carly had any say about wearing pantyhose, or if it was solely the decision of T-Mobile or the ad campaign manager.  Perhaps the credit should go to designer/stylist Debra LeClair, who, according to a T-Mobile representative, created the custom-made, vintage-silhouette-inspired pink-and-white dress, and worked on the campaign and photo shoot.  

  In any case, the reason Carly made my Credit ‘wear’ Credit is Due column is because in researching her, I found that she frequently wears pantyhose in public appearances and other ads.  So, she’s a hero in my book. 

Enter the new hottie 

  Now, comes an amazing TV commercial by Verizon.  I saw it often while watching the NFL games over the holiday weekend.  It’s the one in which an absolutely gorgeous young lady portraying a Verizon employee walks up to a display at a Verizon store where she touches a bunch of smart phones and similar devices to wrap them in ribbons and bows for the Black Friday holiday sale.  This stunningly beautiful woman with long wavy brown hair is wearing a gray skirt and wine-colored blouse, and at first, that’s all we see of her, even when she walks across the floor to place some of these gift items under the store’s Christmas tree.  When she kneels down, that’s when we see she is wearing some absolutely delicious-looking sheer nude pantyhose.  And quite beautifully at that. 

  Unfortunately, it’s a brief scene, but oh, so lovely.  Man, when I see something like this, I just feel so much pride.  In this day and age, the Verizon people, or again, the ad campaign people for them, could easily have dressed the actress in pants, or gone with the skirt but with “bear” legs, reflecting a sign of the times.  Instead, they went with a professional and classy look, perhaps signaling that if “bear” legs ever really was an official sign of the times, it’s not embraced by everyone, and T-Mobile certainly was going to feature its actress in appropriate business attire.  

  I believe cases like this are all the proof we need that this ugly “bear” legs look has about run its course.  Just look at all the TV commercials for department stores and see what women are wearing.  Every dressy outfit includes pantyhose.  Finally, maybe people are coming to their senses again. 

  Unlike in the case of Carly Foulkes, this time, after hours of investigating on the Web, I could not identify the actress in the Verizon commercial.  So, I cannot tell you whether or not she is indeed a pantyhose kind of girl, or show you any photos of her.  But here’s a link to a video of this commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w34kGqZb52c&NR=1  Watch it in full screen mode for the best view of her legs at the end. 

  After the first couple of times of seeing this TV commercial, something strange happened, and I want to share my thoughts with you and hear your thoughts about it.  I’ve never seen anything like this before, but all of a sudden now, when the actress kneels down to place the gifts under the Christmas tree, they’ve cropped most of her legs out of the picture.  My first thought is why would they ever do such a thing?  She is so beautiful.  My second thought is this:  The powers that be probably figured they didn’t want the viewer looking at this gorgeous girl’s legs instead of the Verizon smart devices for sale.  

  Is that possible?  Could that really be the reason?  Nothing else makes any sense to me.  Anyway, you certainly can see (in fact, even more of) the actress’ legs in the YouTube video.  Hurry before someone edits that part of the scene from it, too. 

  Do any of you know who this girl is?  If so, please let the rest of us know.  I am so impressed with her. 

 

Update (Dec. 7 )

With my thanks for a first-time comment on my blog from a reader, whose online name is las artes, we now have indisputable visual evidence of who this very beautiful and charming actress is — Cherub Moore. 

Thank you, las artes, for pointing me in the direction of the WhoIsThatHotAdGirl (WITHAG) site for finding credible documentation when it comes to identifying relatively unknown but budding stars. 

While not much is known about Cherub Moore, with all the interest her appearance in that Verizon ad is generating online, I can’t imagine she’ll be off the radar much longer. 

Check out this link to view this fabulous TV commercial again, and to see a mini-profile and photos of the enigmatic model/actress Cherub Moore.

http://whoisthathotadgirl.tumblr.com/post/13509132832/q-who-is-the-hot-girl-in-the-verizon-black

 

 Last week, one of our longtime customers/readers of this blog, Carl, suggested that the lovely lady in the Verizon Black Friday TV commercial was Katie Savoy, who actually made an earlier appearance in a different Verizon commercial.  It’s the one where she is sitting poolside with her boyfriend, who is watching an NFL game (Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers) on a smart device.  She decides to take a dip in the pool, while he watches his favorite Viking, Adrian Peterson, score on a long running play. 

When Katie emerges from the pool, the boyfriend sees her as Adrian Peterson.  The poor guy.  But, it’s a cute commercial.  

http://www.youtube.com/v/QYFmbWzIsxo&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3

It was a good try, and I bought into it, but I just couldn’t reconcile that, as lovely as she is, Katie Savoy just didn’t quite have the exotic look we all saw in the Verizon Black Friday commercial.  

Thank you, Carl, for finding us these pics of Katie in pantyhose/tights.   

In any case, perhaps, like Carly Foulkes who appears in a series of T-Mobile commercials in which she always wears a beautiful dress with heels and pantyhose, it would be great if we get to see Katie and Cherub in a series of Verizon commercials all dressed up.

Cheerleaders of Homewood High School Patriot Band in Alabama perform during Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Nov. 24, 2011, in New York.

Loving a parade 

  Nothing rings in the holiday season like the world-famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City, its 85th annual event. 

  It’s also a venue at which one can see lots of pantyhose.  From cheerleaders to the majorettes of marching bands from all across the country, from dance troupes to celebrities performing, most often, the costumes include pantyhose. 

  And  never is that more evident than on the 36 pairs of lovely legs that belong to the Radio City Rockettes, the world renowned precision dance company based out of Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, NY, which has been performing during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade for more than 50 years.  

Members of the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes perform during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on Nov. 27, 2008, in New York City.

  The Rockettes, most famous for their perfectly timed “eye-high” kicks, also star in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, happening now through Jan. 2, as they have for more than 75 years. 

  Obviously, the Rockettes are known for their fabulous legs.   Could you ever imagine in a million years the Rockettes performing “bear”-legged?  Of course not.   Do you think any of the members of that company would even want to?  No way! 

  So that means all those pantyhose haters out there — those who say pantyhose are uncomfortable, out of style, irrelevant, etc. (those I like to refer to as, you know … WRONG) — actually think the Rockettes would look just fine and that it would be perfectly OK for them to perform “bear”-legged?   Those people can’t be that dumb.  It must be that they are just turning a blind eye to reality in order to not have to face the fact that they just have no sense of femininity, class or elegance. 

Interesting notes 

  Dana Delany wore a nice dress and sheer pantyhose during her guest appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (aired on Thanksgiving Day.)  See, now I would expect that of her, but I mention it here because more times than not, I’ve seen her appear mostly “bear”-legged at these venues.  So, I hope this is a sign of better judgment on her part. 

Lady Gaga, left, is interviewed by Katie Couric during Gaga's Thanksgiving Day special on Nov. 24, 2011 in New York.

  Good job, too, by Lady Gaga, who, even though she wore a pants suit during her interview with Katie Couric as part of the artist’s “A Very Gaga Thanksgiving” special, did wear very sheer pantyhose with her high heels.  It looked nice, and I love that she shows her professional side during high profile interviews such as this one. 

  Of course, Lady Gaga wears more exotic pantyhose and wears them more provactively during her concerts, and HBO aired “Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden” on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011.  

  Finally, and this is weird:  Amy Sedaric appeared last week on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” wearing a strange dress, high heels but no pantyhose.  The weird part is when Dave complimented her about her shoes, she caressed her “bear” legs and said she really wants to do a pantyhose commercial (but apparently there are no takers.) 

  Then, Dave asked her what happened to pantyhose, noting that they seemed to have gone away.  She replied that they had and she couldn’t understand why, and then she emphasized that “We need to bring them back in a big way.” 

  OK, that part I like, but puh-leeeeeeease, Amy, don’t try selling that when you’re not wearing pantyhose.   Those “bear” legs of yours weren’t doing us any favors.  Nice try though! 

  Thanks for reading, and best wishes to all of you for a happy holiday season.

Credit ‘Wear’ Credit is Due – Jennifer Lopez

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

Did you hear that People magazine this week named singer/actress Jennifer Lopez the “World’s Most Beautiful Woman?”

Good for her.  I wouldn’t say that I am a huge fan, and I might be the only person on the planet who doesn’t watch “American Idol” (never seen a single episode). 

But I do like J-Lo.   

Hearing of People’s award, I was reminded of a couple of J-Lo movies I like a lot: “Out of Sight” in which she plays an FBI agent hot on the trail of fugitive George Clooney (1998), and “Shall We Dance?” in which she plays a ballroom dance instructor opposite Richard Gere (2004).

Jennifer Lopez, far left, and Richard Gere star in Shall We Dance?

I know she’s played many good roles in other movies, but I especially like the above-mentioned ones because she wears sheer nude pantyhose (and quite beautifully) in them.  That, and they are very entertaining movies. 

Jennifer Lopez and husband, Marc Anthony

I really don’t know about J-Lo’s wardrobe in any of her other movies.  I did find a few pics of her wearing pantyhose during public appearances, right, so that makes me like her all the more. 

Of course, I love it when the stars wear pantyhose in their TV or movie roles.  Assuming they choose to (as opposed to being told to by the show’s costumer), it makes me think they are professional, or at least have good taste.  

But, before I decide whether I really like a celebrity, I look to see how many pics, if any, I can find of her wearing pantyhose during public appearances.  That tells me whether she really has any class or not.

A case in point:  One of People’s “Top 25 Most Beautiful” is Dana Delany.  I wasn’t familiar with her until her new show, “Body of Proof,” aired earlier this month.  Apparently, she’s known for her legs, and she knows how to show them off in pantyhose and heels. 

I didn’t know she was in “Desperate Housewives,” because that’s another show I don’t watch, so I have no idea whether she wore pantyhose on that show. 

Dana Delany

Since she’s known for her legs, I wanted to see if I could find some pics of her wearing pantyhose in public appearances, but I found only one (left). 

Of course, that bothers me.  I mean I am glad that she wears when she’s on-screen, but for all I know, that’s the show’s costume designer’s decision, not her’s. 

To me, if she most often chooses not to wear in public, I’m not impressed. 

An even better example is Sarah Shahi of “Fairly Legal” (below).  Cute show, and Sarah is gorgeous.  I really liked her as a detective on “Life,” but she always wore slacks in that role. 

In “Fairly Legal,” she plays a professional mediator who serves high profile clients looking to avoid lawsuits.  Her character is dressed impeccably except for the bare legs thing. 

Sarah Sashi stars in TVs Fairly Legal.

That seems so unrealistic to me, and it pisses me off that she, or the show’s costumer, is so naïve as to dress her character, who is otherwise adorable and charming, in such an unprofessional manner.  Hard for me to like that show.

More than anything, I hate when stars succumb to what they believe is the “style” or what they think is “fashionable,” and since they are expected to be the most hip among us, they must feel some pressure to “go along” rather than doing what they surely know is right. 

Clearly, there are many classy stars (seasoned and newcomers) who often wear pantyhose whenever they appear on the red carpet, at a publicity event, on a late night talk show, or on a TV commercial.  One such star who does so every time without fail is Julianna Margulies.  To me, that shows so much professionalism and class.  

What do you think about Jennifer Lopez being named People magazine’s “World’s Most Beautiful Woman?”  Whom would you have chosen?  Send me your comments and let us know.

Think you know me pretty well by now from reading my blog posts?  Whom do you think I would have chosen?

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

Who’s the next Pantyhose Goddess?

 

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

     Hollywood has always blessed us with glamorous actresses who set the beauty standards of the day. 

     From the late 1960s to the millennium, nylons were as much a staple in Hollywood as makeup.  So while it wasn’t unusual (until now) to see a TV or movie star wearing nylons on screen, a few actresses actually distinquished themselves as what I am calling Pantyhose Goddesses. 

     Julie Newmar appeared on Broadway in the 1950s, and had many starring roles in television and movies during the 1960s, possibly none more auspicious than her role as Catwoman on the Batman TV series.  

     At 5’11, 135 pounds and with 37-inch legs, it wasn’t hard to notice Newmar, but she was more than just a Hollywood glam-girl.  She did one thing that will link her to pantyhose forever – she designed her own, actually winning a patent for her design in the mid 1970s.  She called the pantyhose “Nudemar” and marketed them during the 70s and 80s.  

Julie Newmar was a true Pantyhose Goddess in her day.

     She said she invented them out of necessity:

     “I have two drawers of pantyhose, but I don’t like what they do for my backside.  

     “It’s a simple improvement.  I just gathered the back seam, but it gives a woman the firm fanny of a 12-year-old.” 

     I like the fact that she had two drawers full of pantyhose.

     In the 1970s, Catherine Bach played the character, Daisy Duke on the Dukes of Hazzard TV series, wearing short, tight cut-off jean shorts, which would become known as “Daisy Dukes.”  

      Apparently, network censors believed that the cut-offs were so short, that the the producers could get them on air only if Bach wore sheer-to-waist pantyhose with them, to ensure that the shorts didn’t reveal more of her than intended.  

     Bach certainly created a pantyhose identity for herself, if not an entire fashion trend.

     But, perhaps, no actress aligned herself with pantyhose more than Joyce DeWitt during the 1970s TV series, Three’s Company.   On its Web site, Central New York Promotions states:

“Being an avid pantyhose wearer, DeWitt is famous for refusing to do any scenes bare-legged. When shooting Three’s Company (1977), she always wore either pantyhose or tights, and refused to work bare-legged. Though this caused conflict between her and the show’s producers, it endeared her to hosiery manufacturers, and she became the spokeswoman for L’eggs pantyhose in the late 70s.”

     That kind of professionalism, commitment to femininity and just plain good taste is very rare today.  I liked Joyce DeWitt’s style back then, but having learned her story, I’m even more impressed with her now.

    I wonder:  What other actresses could or should have become Pantyhose Goddesses back in the day? 

     Again, during the 70s, 80, and 90s, pantyhose were the standard of class, elegance and glamour, so actresses wearing them on screen wasn’t at all unusual.  Still, some stars just stood out from the crowd, and in the process, pantyhose gained cult-level status.

Gorgeous Kim Basinger starred in many movies during the 1990s.

      During the 80s and 90s, I have to say that my favorite stars who could have earned the title of Pantyhose Goddess were Kim Basinger, Michelle Pfeiffer, Linda Fiorentino and Geena Davis. 

     And then, there was Markie Post, Goldie Hawn, Shelly Long and Christina Applegate – all truly lovely and classy pantyhose babes.  Honorable mention could go to Jennifer Tilly, who was almost always seen in pantyhose and looked awesome in them; Fran Drescher, who really did align herself with pantyhose; and one Parker Posey, who actually was known as “Miss Pantyhose.”  This was never more evident than in the role she played as a vampire in the third installment of  Wesley Snipes’ Trinity trilogy.   

     With all due respect to Lady Gaga, today more than ever, we need a Pantyhose Goddess in Hollywood – someone whose beauty, class and grace is so awe-inspiring that, when she permanently aligns herself with the wearing of pantyhose, it would make for an irresistable combination that would once again propel pantyhose to cult-type status.

Sandra Bullock

She always has been so classy, and until I saw The Proposal, I didn’t think I’d ever see her not wearing pantyhose.  She kinda let me down on this one, especially because her role in this movie was a corporate executive.  Even though she is beautiful and classy, I don’t really see Sandra in the Pantyhose Goddess role.  I think deep down, she’s sees herself as kind of a tomboy.  I think she’ll usually choose to wear pantyhose for the proper occasion, but I don’t think it would be for any reason except just good taste.

 

 

 

Nicole Kidman's fabulous legs are always in pantyhose on screen.

Nicole Kidman

 

I don’t know if she’s been around long enough, is sought-after enough or revered enough, but I would love to see Nicole take this title. 

Lately, I never see her on screen not wearing pantyhose, and it would be hard to find someone who looks better in them than her. 

I’ve always liked Nicole, and I think she’s got the class and grace to be the one.

Milla Jovovich

Yep, I said it.  The more I see her, the more I love her.  She is beautiful, but she’s also powerful and edgy.  And she’s here and now. 

I love her in the Resident Evil movies, and I’ve seen her in many public appearances where she always looks classy, always wearing pantyhose.  I think it would be  neat if we thought of Milla as a Pantyhose Goddess.

Catherine Zeta-Jones    

Catherine Zeta-Jones has the beauty and class to be the current Hollywood Pantyhose Goddess.

Of all my choices, she probably is the most realistic.  Catherine always carries herself with class and grace, and I never see her not wearing pantyhose. 

There’s just something very captivating about her. 

She has the beauty and the charisma to be the next Pantyhose Goddess, but also, she’s got the credibility and the relevance that it would take.

Morena Baccarin

That’s right, Anna, the head alien visitor on the TV series, V.   If an evil overgrown lizard who’s out to take over Earth can look that incredible in pantyhose, and she is never not wearing them on the show, she gets my vote for Hollywood Pantyhose Goddess.

Julianna Margulies

She might already have this title, and that would suit me just fine.  As The Good Wife, she always dresses professionally and looks great in pantyhose.  Better still, she appears on the late night talk shows the same way.  It really bothers me when the big stars, even when they wear pantyhose for their roles on screen, think they’re somehow obligated to follow the “trend” and go bare-legged out in public, especially, if it’s a talk show with a younger host who caters to a younger audience.  But that’s not the case with Julianna.  She always dresses beautifully and does the right thing by wearing pantyhose.  Maybe she should be the Hollywood Pantyhose Goddess.  Maybe she already is.

Meredith Vieira

OK, maybe Meredith already is the Hollywood Pantyhose Goddess, too.  Here’s why:  Not only does she always wear pantyhose on screen and in public appearances, she actually has gone on record and said she “likes wearing pantyhose” and admitted that she doesn’t wear anything underneath.   Meredith definitely deserves consideration for Pantyhose Goddess.  The question is: Is she credible and relevant enough today?

Honorable mention

I’ve got to say that I like what I see from Megan Fox, Kate Moss, Jessica Alba and Kate Beckinsale.  And, thankfully, there are many other young actresses out there who seem to understand the allure of pantyhose.  Are they ready to become Hollywood’s next Pantyhose Goddesses?  Perhaps.

     OK, who’d I leave out?  I know you have your favorites, and I’d like to hear who they are and what you have to say about them.

What’s your ‘feeling’ about pantyhose?

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

      What is it that we love so much about pantyhose?  Is it the look, the feel, or both?  

     Most people will admit that pantyhose look better than bare (bear) legs.  I believe true lovers of pantyhose love their feel as much as their look. 

What is silky?   

     Almost universally, people say pantyhose have a silky feel, probably because that’s the word they’ve always heard associated with pantyhose.  But when they describe how pantyhose feel to the touch, most people use words such as “smooth,” “slick” or “slippery.”   

      I have always thought of pantyhose as “silky,” but to me, “silky” means extremely soft and delicate like the silk of a spider’s web. 

Not exactly silky

      When Lycra or Spandex are added to the nylon fabric, you get a “support” effect.  That can be good for keeping pantyhose from sagging, or for therapeutic reasons.  You get a  smooth, slick or slippery feeling to the touch.  If you run your hand over pantyhose like these, it will slide across effortlessly, as if on a glassy surface  – like running your hand over a  dolphin as it swims by.  

     I do understand how some people are attracted to pantyhose made with a bit of Lycra.  They can look alluring and still feel petty nice.  On the other hand (or legs), pantyhose made with a high degree of Spandex become real shiny (yeah, I know many people really like shiny) and elastic.   To me, those pantyhose feel like a rubber band stretched to the max.

      There’s a reason why women say they hate pantyhose and complain that they are too tight, too hot and just too uncomfortable. 

Give and take

     What I love is the extremely soft and truly silky texture you get from 100 percent nylon pantyhose.  I love that when you touch that fabric, it touches you back.  It gives.  It moves.  When you touch this fabric, you can really feel it, and you can make the person wearing it feel what you feel because the pantyhose will move on her legs, forcing her to “feel” the soft and silky fabric against her body. 

     And then, there’s the overall concept of 100 percent nylon pantyhose.  There’s just something very sexy about the sense of vulnerability that truly silky and delicate pantyhose provide.

     Most of the pantyhose you find on the market today are made with some degree of Lycra or Spandex.  What bothers me is that women who think pantyhose are uncomfortable might never have tried anything but that kind of pantyhose.  Perhaps they don’t realize they have a choice. 

     I can’t fathom how anyone would describe the feeling of 100 percent nylon pantyhose as “uncomfortable.”  The way I see it, nothing could be more soft, silky and delicate than 100 percent nylon pantyhose.  They make your legs look perfect, they feel so nice on, and they feel incredible to the touch. 

     Pantyhose can be practical:  The right thing to wear at the office, proper for a formal or special occasion, or good for a massage.  Or, pantyhose can be beautiful, decidely feminine and very sexy.  You do have a choice.

Wake Up and Wear the Pantyhose

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

     Ladies, have you noticed that men have been telling us for some time now that they love women in pantyhose.  

     Men are talking about this subject on Internet chat rooms or blog threads.  They are subscribing to the hundreds and hundreds of Web sites out there whose content is dedicated to women in pantyhose.  They are looking at, posting and downloading pictures of women wearing pantyhose everywhere in the world.

      Call me crazy, ladies, but shouldn’t we be listening?  Shouldn’t we care about this a little more?  

     Throughout history, we’ve made every sacrifice out there to make ourselves more beautiful, more glamorous, more appealing. We wear high heels that one day will likely kill our feet forever.  We do spa treatments, obsess over hair and makeup, even undergo surgery if we think it’ll help our cause. 

     Yet, men aren’t asking us to do any of these things.  To men, none of these things make us sexier to them than our wearing pantyhose.  Men aren’t asking on a global scale that we wear shorter skirts or higher heels.  They simply, honestly and with compassion, are asking that we grace ourselves with the softest, silkiest, most decidedly feminine and beautiful thing we could ever wear. 

     Yet, women everywhere shun the wearing of this lovely, classy and glamorous accessory. In light of everything else we do to ourselves in the name of beauty and glamour, how did pantyhose become the enemy here?

     Here’s what I think:  Men ought to start fighting back!   That’s right –men should arbitrarily decide that they no longer are going to wear neckties, for example.  They should show up at the office in suits but no ties.  After all, ties are too hot, too tight, and too uncomfortable to wear.  And really, they’re sooooo yesterday. 

SPECIAL INSERT:  Guys, c’mon.  No comments from you about this?   I’m out here carrying the torch for your favorite fetish, beating up my fellow gal-pals over it, and giving you this brilliant suggestion about how to get back at women for not wearing pantyhose.    Yet, no comments?   I thought we were friends!   Where’s the love?

     Indeed, men ought to just unbutton their shirts to show off their gold chains instead?  We could call this new fashion trend the “bare necks movement.”  Or what if men wore designer suits but no socks?  The “bare ankles look.” 

     Really, men should show a lack of professionalism by dressing this way not only at the office, but on television shows, in movies and on the Red Carpet to collect their awards? 

     And how about on dates?  Men could certainly show their women how much they respect and appreciate them by choosing to look “so cultured” when being seen in public with them.  

     Think about it.  What if men arbitrarily decided that all of a sudden they just don’t need, or can’t be bothered with, dressing in good taste?

     Isn’t that exactly what most women are doing today?  And isn’t it getting a little old?

Pantyhose – To Wear or Not To Wear II

    

Robin Maryland, president, ActSensuous

     Two months ago, I wrote what was originally going to be a follow-up to last year’s post: Why Bears Don’t Wear Pantyhose.  But the headline, and ultimately, the post, changed because I realized I first had to gather some current solid intelligence. 

     So I wrote the above-titled post in April and attached a poll under the same heading: Pantyhose – To Wear or Not To Wear.  The poll invited (ladies only) to select whether they choose to wear or not wear pantyhose and why/why not.  

     The choices for answers I offered were pretty strong: 

• I choose not to because I believe in and completely support the cause for the bare legs movement … period
• I choose not to because the excuse now exists thanks to the bare legs movement
• I choose not to on my own personal volition because I think pantyhose are uncomfortable, impractical and/or unnecessary
• I choose to because I believe in and wholeheartedly support the concepts of beauty, glamour, class and sexiness inherent in pantyhose
• I am not on one side or the other and would wear or not wear pantyhose based on the appropriateness of the situation/environment
• Other 

     I thought I was opening the door for those women with “bear” legs to pounce.  I figured that, once armed with the reasons real women gave for not wearing, I would write Why Bears Don’t Wear Pantyhose II and completely debunk all their ridiculous excuses. 

     Unfortunately, two things have kinda killed that plan.  First, no one has taken the poll (as of this writing on June 12, we’ve gotten only eight responses.)  Second, of those who did take the poll, only one of the eight chose a negative answer – the first one. 

     Now, of course, I am delighted that 88 percent of the poll takers selected the most positive response – I choose to because I believe in and wholeheartedly support the concepts of beauty, glamour, class and sexiness inherent in pantyhose. 

     Makes me wonder whether, despite my plea that ladies only take the poll, it was actually men who so overwhelmingly voted positively. 

     I am leaving that poll open, but I’m not expecting much more activity out of it.  

     I have seen many blogs in which women totally haterize about pantyhose and swear they never will wear them.  Yet, I give them a golden opportunity to anonymously trash the wearing of pantyhose (all they had to do was pick a button), and they don’t bite.  

     So tell me, readers (men and women), what do you think this means? Could there be a shift in fashion attitudes brewing out there?  Maybe those who’ve been committed to “bear” legs are starting to come over to the good side.  

We’re seeing more and more pantyhose these days.  They’re in magazines, TV shows, TV commercials, movies, concerts.  Are pantyhose getting a leg up in the marketplace again?

Why the ‘Visitors’ are really here

     Twice before, I’ve written about Anna, the beautiful and charismatic leader of the Visitors from another planet. 

Morena Baccarin as Anna, the boss lady lizard, on ABC's "V" TV series is stunning in pantyhose during each episode.

     She claims the “V”s “Come in peace.  Always.”   Yeah … not sure anyone’s really buying that, Anna.    

     While Anna’s been selling the Visitors’ unselfish desire to share with us lowly humans their vastly superior medical and environmental technology, clearly, there’s something else going on here. 

     Besides, if the Visitors are so nice, why is there so much fighting going on lately between them and the members of the 5th Column, the resistence group? 

     To discern what’s really going on here, it might be helpful to understand the players – who are the good guys and who are the bad guys?    Well, that’s easy – Anna and the “V”s are the bad guys and the members of the 5th Column are the good guys, right?   Wrong! 

     You see, ABC is clever.  They’re making it look like Anna and the “V”s are the bad guys, but trust me, that just isn’t the case.  Anna is awesome!   First of all, any alien with legs like Anna’s could never be the bad guy.  Secondly, she shows up each and every week decked out in another gorgeous dress or designer suit, complete with high heels, and wearing an absolutely delicious-looking pair of sheer pantyhose.  Clearly, she and the Visitors are the good guys here. 

     So, what’s the real reason the Visitors are here?   Simple:  Anna secretly is a good alien, sent here to heal the hurt and damage caused by an earlier visitor who really was an evil alien – one Carrie Bradshaw.    You remember her – that really terrible character who singlehandedly “ran” pantyhose out of Hollywood, and subsequently, the rest of the planet, with that awful TV series of the mid-1990s, Sex and the City.  

     Anyone who’s ever seen Sarah Jessica Parker – an evil alien visitor to Earth in real life – and that stupid TV series of hers, knows who the real bad guys in the “V” show are.

     Let’s review: Carrie/Sarah Jessica Parker = bad, evil, ugly alien; Anna = good, awesome, beautiful alien.

      Yes, I think it’s clear that Anna and the Visitors are here only to save Earth from itself.   She wants to help Earth women recapture their sense of beauty, femininity, class and grace, but to do this, she and her innocent Visitors have to win us over, while battling members of the resistance group who are intent on ruining the planet by encouraging women to wear dresses, suits, even formal gowns, with gorgeous high heels and, gasp, BARE LEGS. 

     I say let Anna and the Visitors take over the world.  I’d follow her anywhere.  We less-than-exotic Earthlings can really learn from the example she’s setting.   We should thank Anna for being the supreme example of what women should be — or at least how we should look. 

     Please do take over the world, Anna, and make us a more beautiful, glamorous people.

Pantyhose – To Wear or Not To Wear?

Robin Maryland, president of ActSensuous

     Ladies … hate pantyhose?  Refuse to wear them?  Here’s your chance to state for the record why.  Please take our poll at the bottom of this post.

     Last year, I wrote the post Why Bears don’t wear Pantyhose,  in which I rebuked the few lame excuses women typically give for not wearing pantyhose today.   

     The headline was my way of poking fun at myself for mistakenly using the wrong word in that post’s attached poll: Today’s Bear Legs Culture, as obviously, I meant “bare.”  (By the way, the No. 1 answer by far was “Can’t die a horrible death soon enough,” but then, I am sure it was mostly men who voted.)  

     Still, I can’t fathom why so many women are against pantyhose.  I suspect the biggest reason is just that this “bare legs” trend created in Hollywood gives them an excuse not to wear pantyhose.  They’re jumping on the bandwagon.  Oh, I’m sure there are those who are much more militant about it, but I think if pantyhose weren’t considered “not in vogue” today, women would be wearing, as they always have.  

     I was going to write a sequel to Why Bears don’t wear Pantyhose, but I decided that rather than guessing their reasons, I want to hear what they really are from real, live women today. ( Then, armed with their legitimate reasons, I’ll write Why Bears don’t wear Pantyhose II, and completely tear apart their ridiculous excuses.)  

     So here it is – The ultimate pantyhose poll.  It gives any woman who wants to participate, the opportunity to vote on why she would choose to wear or to not wear pantyhose.  I’ve offered the possible reasons, but there’s also a place to write in other answers, and I would encourage women to do that if my choices don’t reflect their true and accurate reasons.  

     Please Note: For this to work, it must be handled with the utmost integrity, so puh-leeeeeease . . .  ladies only.  Guys, please do not cast a vote.  (Feel free to comment on this post, just please don’t vote on the poll.)  The idea here is to gather real usable data.  Hard evidence.  I want to know the real reasons why women shun the wearing of pantyhose today.   

     Don’t you?

What drives our Pantyhose Fetish?

Hard to believe so many women don't know or don't care about the power they possess in pantyhose.

     Sooner or later, I had to write this post.   I had tried several times before, but during my research to find scientific facts, I grew  increasingly discouraged because there are so many conflicting reports, every subject is debatable, and most of the material focuses on the weird or disturbing aspects of behavior. 

     I wanted to learn where pantyhose rank on a list of the most prevalent fetishes, but I couldn’t find credible material that could be documented.  I did find one thing I expected – that the foot fetish is still No. 1, apparently, the most common.  Suffice it to say that pantyhose are high up there somewhere.

     And, thankfully, pantyhose and foot fetishes seem to go hand-in-hand, or make that foot-in-hand, or foot-in-mouth, often appearing simultaneously (“dogs and cats living together …”).

     According to a Wikipedia report about a pantyhose fetish, the allure has to do with the following: 

• Pantyhose remove the appearance of blemishes, making  the legs “perfect.”
• The reflectiveness of the material, coupled with the way they appear less transparent at the edges, often gives legs more contrast and definition, as though lit by dramatic lighting.  This accentuates the curves of the legs, making them less “flat.”
• They often have a silky texture, which is pleasing to both the wearer and her partner.
• They do not actually hide what they cover.
• The slipperiness and smoothness of sheer pantyhose makes women’s shoes slip off more easily.  This vulnerability often is sexually attractive and can result in women engaging in shoe dangling or shoe play, which also is appealing to shoe and foot fetishists.

     Obviously, there’s more to a pantyhose fetish than this, but this is a good start.   Ultimately, I decided to just write about what I know.  To me, pantyhose always have been about three things: the way they look, the way they feel to the touch, and the very concept of them in the first place.  Maybe it’s just that they are designed to enhance the beauty of everything they cover.  

      To me, there’s a profound dichotomy about pantyhose, which I find very exciting: Pantyhose possess enormous power, yet, by design, they are extremely delicate and feminine, causing an irresistable vulnerability for the wearer. 

     This is never more evident than in the way the nylon fabric moves to the touch on a woman’s legs and feet.  It’s almost as if she has a second, delicate, delicious skin.  It’s as if the pantyhose are a living, breathing intimate part of the wearer.  You can physically manipulate that lifeforce, and you have to be careful not to hurt it.     

     Once on, any item of clothing a person wears, sort of disappears.  You stop feeling it on your body.  And even though you can touch the pantyhose on yourself, it isn’t the same as feeling them on someone else.  

     Want your lover to feel what you feel when you caress her legs in pantyhose?  All it takes is to move that delicate nylon fabric over her skin.    The sensation is incredible for both parties.

     Now I ask you, readers:  What do you think drives our pantyhose fetish?