Why do we have this trend in America?

Question

My wife and me just got back from a business trip in Europe. We spent two weeks to visit Germany, Frence, Italy and England. One thing I notice in the street (no matter which country we were visiting) was that, almost 100% of their women wear stockings. The first day when we saw that, my wife told me that she felt a little weird. Because we didn't see so many women wear stockings this summer in America. But as my bussiness trip going on, I notice that if a woman doesn't wear something to cover their legs, the Europeans would think that you are cheap. Meanwhile, both my wife and me felt that the woman in stcokings looks so elegant and respectable. I also looked at some old American movies when I got back, and at that time, American women do wear stokings and dress in a classic way. But now, when you walk in the street or go to a party, you can hardly see some women wear stockings to cover their legs. Some of them are even bare-feet! Both my wife and me are thinking that is too much.

Answer 1

OK, so I am a guy, and I am 58 and single and I LIKE to see a woman dressed well, and maybe stockings. AND, I have been fortunate enough to have been involved with several women who thought stockings were the normal mode of attire even though this does not seem to be the current trend. The current trend seems to be bare legs or worse, pants. Which, is just OK with me, as pretty ladies are pretty ladies no matter the attire, but I find stockings sexier for some obscure reason. Now for the story of the ladies I was involved with who wore stockings as a normal daily thing...

Both of these women wore the old fashioned kind, the non-stretch, use a garter belt to keep them in place, kind of stockings, which by the way cost much more than pantyhose.

Both of these women wore regular nylons with a garter belt for comfort. Both could not find pantyhose which did not become uncomfortable for all day wear.

Both said that they felt more sexy and feminine when wearing regular nylon stockings.

Both of these women wore stockings before pantyhose came to be available, tried pantyhose and rejected them as being uncomfortable for long term wear.

Both told me that wearing regular nylons with a garter belt required more effort and care, but was worth the extra effort to be comfortable all day long.

I was fascinated watching these women get dressed for the day. It was fascinating to watch them put on their hosiery.

So, I am not sure I answered your question, but this is my observations from being involved with two women who felt stockings were the required thing for them for their workplace and found a comfortable solution, garter stockings instead of pantyhose.

I live in Silverdale, WA, on the west side of Puget Sound from Seattle. I ride the ferry from Bremerton (6 miles south of Silverdale) to Seattle frequently. I have observed that the majority of the women on the ferry wear stockings. Most wear running shoes and change to the business shoes with heels when they get off at the other, Seattle, end. It is interesting to watch them change shoes in the ferry terminal.

Alas, unlike the movies, the trend seems to be no stockings these days. I appreciate a woman who dresses for the day, as my mother did, as she did this every day, dress for the day, and that meant being fully dressed which included makeup and a dress and stockings and decent shoes, the whole 50's "June Cleaver" kind of package. Today, most look at the "June Cleaver" personality and dress style as a stereotype, but for me, I prefer it, and at least two women I know from my past, did exactly that, dress for success and that included an appropriate dress and stockings, all of the time, every day.

I do not understand the current trend of no stockings on women. Bare legs are fine by me, but I find stockings are just a bit more attractive to me and I wonder why women these days do not see that men find stockings attractive. Could it be they are more liberated and do not need to be attractive to men? It seems to be a possibility. Maybe women's lib has done us in on this...

I disagree, women wearing stockings are not looked at as cheap. Maybe this is the attitude in Europe, but I do not feel that is the attitude in the US, unless it is maybe something like black fishnets... which in my opinion ARE a trashy look.

Answer 2

American trends in the last decade have been to push the envelope. How much can we get away with? Designers have asked this question and unfortunately in response American woman have taken it off: socks, stockings, shorter skirts, midriff-baring shirts, smaller straps.

The trends are how much can we expose without exposing too much.

Americans have not valued fashion and looking elegant as much as Europeans have, as well. Americans value utility- it is their nature because we had to put together a country, women had to do manual labor, and women had to do a lot of work for their rights. Due to these things American women go for the most casual look as possible.

Those who have class though will continue to dress that way regardless of what the trends are.

Answer 3

Because we value being real and natural here in this country.

American women also wear less makeup and probably do a lot more traditionally manly-type things here in the United States.

I'm certain, however, as this is a very large and diverse country, that you can find a peer group somewhere to associate with, in which all the women wear attractive stockings. It may be that way in certain circles of foreign women here in the United States, in fashion centers like New York, or maybe just a few kooky types who buy European fashion magazines.

Good luck and stay fast,

Barry Allen, a.k.a. The Flash
Former American Superhero

Answer 4

The main reason women don't wear stocking during the summer is a bare nude leg is so much prettier. We have bronzer and shimmering lotion that give our legs a natural healthy glow. Come on it summer. Time for sandals and sun dresses. Beside stocking are hot, sweaty and uncomfortable.

Answer 5

I don't understand what the problem is with not wearing stocking in the summer. It's bloody hot!!! Stockings are itchy and annoying. I hate wearing them and I don't in the summer becuase quite frankly, I don't have to. My job doesn't require it. There is nothing wrong with women having bare legs. Don't be a prude.

Answer 6

OK. It sounds like a cultural fashion which is fine. That does not mean you're cheap if you don't want to wear those. If you wife likes that look, then she should go for it. It is just a fashion choice, not a rule. If you both think it is appropriate to dress that way in Europe, then she could do so there at least, on your next trip, but that is totally up to her.

Answer 7

Because American women have become frightfully lazy, and because the California craze of bare legs and open shoes has convinced some women that tanned legs and bare toes, are attractive.

Thankfully, most of the civalized world disagrees.

Answer 8

Well, European women have always dressed in a more elegant and stylish way than North American women, some of whom dress far too casually.

Answer 9

LOL
stockings are pretty popular in Europe(lived there for 10 yrs..., LIthuania)
Like girls like to wear mini skirts and then wear some really pretty stockings.....
I still wear mine sometimes.....

But as much as I know.... most people dont walk around in bare foot.... EWWW!!!!
GROSS

Answer 10

It all depends on where you are in America. I'm in Cali, and year round we wear flip flops. Winter consists of a sweatshirt, jeans (NOT SKINNY JEANS), and flip flops. (For guys) and for girls it's pretty much the same... It's not cold enough for scarves or jackets unfortunately.