IF women are worried that their previously exclusive fashion domain is being invaded by men in manscara and man-bras, there’s another cause for concern. "Mantyhose" are pantyhose for men, the latest in a string of men's fashion trends straight from the bizarre files. And everyone from truck drivers to cowboys are wearing them.
Self-confessed male hosiery-wearer Harisnya is so passionate about the issue he set up e-MANcipate, a website aiming to "accelerate the acceptance of male pantyhose as a regular clothing item".
Harisnya says the UK-based website is "as serious as fashion can be".
"It's fun, but no joke," he said, and is adamant that both males and females should be allowed to wear the sexy sheer garment.
"Men have great legs and hosiery is a great way to show them. It's quite practical in some ways. It prevents chafing, for example, when horse riding or cycling, but it's also a good alternative to bulky underwear if you need some warmth.
"Going to work on a cold autumn day in regular trousers with 20 denier hose underneath helps to avoid getting cold. Plus you won't ever have to worry about loosing or matching your socks," he joked.
The site even offers men a step-by-step guide on how to wear pantyhose without damaging it.
Specifically designed men's pantyhose comes with a "male comfort panel" that better fits a man's shape, and sometimes offers a convenient fly opening.
Harisyna’s love of pantyhose – which he insists is about fashion, rather than a fetish - is backed up by testimonials from truck drivers who swear by nylon hosiery for its circulation benefits and cowboys who don them under their Levi's for warmth.
"At the recommendation of my wife, I got several pairs of sheer knee-high support hose that I wear under pants, and I wear either light to medium support sheer beige pantyhose or thigh highs openly under shorts, and I've noticed a major improvement in how my legs look and feel," said Mike, a truck driver from Coralville.
"I fully intend to continue to openly wear hose both for the health benefits and for the look and feel of the soft, comfortable fabric, and encourage other men to have the courage to do the same," he added.
Harisnya believes pantyhose serves not only as a comfort and circulation-boosting garment, but also helps to "illustrate" a man's legs, a part of the body that can easily support fashionable wear.
"Not all men like to hide in grey uniformed clothes. It's an easy way to dress differently, pairing the colour or pattern of your pantyhose to the rest of your clothes just like you do with the colour or pattern of your tie.
"It's relatively easy, too, as hosiery goes easily with almost every kind of shorts and shoes."
At the forefront of e-MAN-cipate's campaign is the push for companies to produce pantyhose made specifically for men.
"Don't buy female pantyhose at all," urges the site. "Don't strengthen those companies who don't produce/sell male pantyhose. Buy male pantyhose. Do help with your purchasing power to those who are on your/our side."
What do you think? Have the boundaries between men's and women's fashion gone too far? Is it ok for men to be sporting pantyhose? Leave your comments below.
Poster Comment:
They just wont stop until all women are like men, and all men are like women. And a manly woman so soooooo sexy! Idiots.
