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More men getting a kick out of pantyhose
Trend toward tights is in full swing in Europe, U.S.
By SHELLEY EMLING
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/07/08
Is a superhero in tights fueling a new fashion trend for men?
Or is it simply that some males find pantyhose a nice fit?
In this summer of "The Dark Knight" comes a craze for men's hosiery.
Retailers in Europe and the United States say that men are buying pantyhose — sheer, satin, glossy, opaque or support — in skyrocketing numbers in recent months.
"We aren't sure if it is the Batman effect or what, but sales to men have been going through the roof," said Kieran Hughes, director of Precious Collections, a British distributor of hosiery products.
At Atlanta-based Luxelegwear.com, a Web site offering European brands to buyers in America and around the world, some 80 percent of sales are now to men.
"Men have begun to dominate the hosiery market once owned by women," said Deborah Ashley, managing director of Luxelegwear.com, which launched in September 2005.
Today the company carries 13 styles designed specifically for men.
Around the world, men have long taken their fashion cues from women, with many males getting facials, manicures and pedicures from salons on a regular basis.
And now, more men are donning hosiery.
According to retailers, some males simply appreciate the added insulation in colder climates.
Other customers say hose provide support, stimulate circulation and alleviate muscle fatigue.
Still others just like the way tights look and feel against the skin.
Darrell Robinson, general manager of Legwear4Men.com, an online retailer in Liverpool, England, said today's male hosiery is not a fetish garment.
"It has nothing to do with being gender-confused or gay, as the bulk of wearers are straight men in long-term relationships," he said.
Although the trend is recent, hosiery retailers emphasize male leg wear's long history.
Robinson said that men have worn tights for centuries, with Romans giving their soldiers leggings to wear some 2,000 years ago.
"The trend continued until about the end of the 19th century, when the womenfolk stole the idea for themselves," he said.
In the last two months, Hughes said, Precious Collections has seen sales of hose to British men jump to 1,000 pairs a month from 300.
"With energy prices going up and up I think we're going to see even more men around the world wearing these products," Hughes said.
But not everyone is a fan.
Natalie Theo, fashion editor at London's Daily Mail newspaper, said the idea is absolutely ridiculous.
"It's metrosexuality gone stark raving mad," she said.
Trend toward tights is in full swing in Europe, U.S.
By SHELLEY EMLING
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/07/08
Is a superhero in tights fueling a new fashion trend for men?
Or is it simply that some males find pantyhose a nice fit?
In this summer of "The Dark Knight" comes a craze for men's hosiery.
Retailers in Europe and the United States say that men are buying pantyhose — sheer, satin, glossy, opaque or support — in skyrocketing numbers in recent months.
"We aren't sure if it is the Batman effect or what, but sales to men have been going through the roof," said Kieran Hughes, director of Precious Collections, a British distributor of hosiery products.
At Atlanta-based Luxelegwear.com, a Web site offering European brands to buyers in America and around the world, some 80 percent of sales are now to men.
"Men have begun to dominate the hosiery market once owned by women," said Deborah Ashley, managing director of Luxelegwear.com, which launched in September 2005.
Today the company carries 13 styles designed specifically for men.
Around the world, men have long taken their fashion cues from women, with many males getting facials, manicures and pedicures from salons on a regular basis.
And now, more men are donning hosiery.
According to retailers, some males simply appreciate the added insulation in colder climates.
Other customers say hose provide support, stimulate circulation and alleviate muscle fatigue.
Still others just like the way tights look and feel against the skin.
Darrell Robinson, general manager of Legwear4Men.com, an online retailer in Liverpool, England, said today's male hosiery is not a fetish garment.
"It has nothing to do with being gender-confused or gay, as the bulk of wearers are straight men in long-term relationships," he said.
Although the trend is recent, hosiery retailers emphasize male leg wear's long history.
Robinson said that men have worn tights for centuries, with Romans giving their soldiers leggings to wear some 2,000 years ago.
"The trend continued until about the end of the 19th century, when the womenfolk stole the idea for themselves," he said.
In the last two months, Hughes said, Precious Collections has seen sales of hose to British men jump to 1,000 pairs a month from 300.
"With energy prices going up and up I think we're going to see even more men around the world wearing these products," Hughes said.
But not everyone is a fan.
Natalie Theo, fashion editor at London's Daily Mail newspaper, said the idea is absolutely ridiculous.
"It's metrosexuality gone stark raving mad," she said.
