Originally Posted by agzg (Post 1997043)

If I'm going to an event where strappy sandals are appropriate, I'll often wear my knee high (dressy) boots in the car then change into my sandals before going in.

Also, I'd rather be shot dead than wear pantyhose. If I wear any type of hosiery, it's tights. Otherwise, I'll suffer to go bare.

To be quite honest, I don't know how I feel about patterned shoes, I really really hate plain white shoes, so I'll never get caught in the Easter v. Memorial Day debate. If I have an outfit that would go nicely with white, I've found that it'll probably go nicely with silver, and that doesn't fall under the same rules.

Originally Posted by MysticCat (Post 1997023)

The date isn't exactly arbitrary. It's just a shorthand way of saying no white shoes when summer is over. Because white dress shoes have a spring-summer/warm weather look to them.

Originally Posted by Drolefille (Post 1997060)

I get that, but people treat the date itself as if white shoes worn on the day after, no matter how hot or sunny will make them utter social pariahs.

There's nothing particularly 'common sense' about it though. Odds are that the only reason there aren't more white winter shoes/boots now is more because of the rule than because of the winter weather damage. Designers don't always take practicality into 'fashion' in the first place.

/exaggeration for the sake of the point may have occurred in this post.

Originally Posted by Drolefille (Post 1997060)

I get that, but people treat the date itself as if white shoes worn on the day after, no matter how hot or sunny will make them utter social pariahs.

There's nothing particularly 'common sense' about it though. Odds are that the only reason there aren't more white winter shoes/boots now is more because of the rule than because of the winter weather damage. Designers don't always take practicality into 'fashion' in the first place.

/exaggeration for the sake of the point may have occurred in this post.

Originally Posted by Alumiyum (Post 1997062)

ETA: Except when it comes to hose. I can't handle them. Can. Not. Which is considered un-ladylike by some, but it isn't worth it to me.

Originally Posted by Alumiyum (Post 1997062)

Down here it's like saying "yes ma'am" and men opening doors for women. You just do it. Never been a big deal or a problem for me.

ETA: Except when it comes to hose. I can't handle them. Can. Not. Which is considered un-ladylike by some, but it isn't worth it to me.

Originally Posted by honeychile (Post 1997066)

One of my more precious memories of an event I attended is that of a DAR page, with her long formal gown, and ribbons & pins out the wazoo, in a hallway where she thought nobody would see her, hiking up her knee high stockings.

The problem lies with the manufacturers of hose. One size never did and never will fit all, and if they fit the leg length, rarely fit the rest, etc. I switched to thigh highs long ago, and have yet to regret it.

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna (Post 1997082)

I don't understand the hatred for pantyhose.
My feet sweat, and going bare would irritate my skin terribly. We're talking blisters. Plus, going bare in the winter is c-o-l-d.
Thigh highs, as well as garter belts and girdles to hold up stockings, are a fine-tuned form of torture. I had to wear that when I was a teen-ager...God bless pantyhose for rescuing me from popped garters and sagging hose!

Originally Posted by 33girl (Post 1997099)

I see a LOT of people going without pantyhose that should be wearing them. Many of them are silly women 40 and over trying to look young. Yes, that road map of veins on your feet and back of your legs is really going to make everyone mistake you for a High School Musical castmember.

And I agree, going bare legged in the winter is EFFING COLD.

Also: wearing a full suit and heels without hose looks really ridiculous. Dress with a jacket you can maybe get away with, but full suit no way.

Originally Posted by Alumiyum (Post 1997062)

Down here it's like saying "yes ma'am" and men opening doors for women. You just do it. Never been a big deal or a problem for

Originally Posted by knight_shadow (Post 1997214)

Ehh...

"Yes ma'am" and opening doors = polite

OMG YOU'RE WEARING WHITE SHOES = "Get off my goddamn back because I really don't care"

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle (Post 1997545)

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle (Post 1997267)

And my take on hose - personally, I like my midriff fat to be locked and loaded, so I'm all for control top panty hose for dressing up - makes my middle-aged legs look better, and my tummy less obvious, so hooray!