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ten tips for getting winter hosiery under control
more from the email spam factory – goes to show that some of it is actually useful!
June is a great time to take a mid-winter hosiery inventory while vowing to get this area of your wardrobe under control and in good shape to carry you through the rest of winter and into spring.
Here are our best tips for gaining control over an area of the wardrobe that is often neglected:
#1 Play Tough Love. Toss all hosiery, tights and socks that are torn beyond reasonable repair or wear and/or are missing a mate. Make a list of all the hosiery you need to replace and make it a priority to stock up now while sales are in high gear.
#2 Categorize and Separate the Keepers. If you have the space, devote separate drawers (or crates or other cubbies that you might use to store these items) for each category of hosiery. Storing socks, hosiery and tights together often contributes to hosiery mayhem.
#3 Bag Them. If your space is limited, consider separating hosiery by color and category and storing each in its own plastic bag side by side to get them under control. We love zip-lock bags because they are easy to get in and out of and label.
#4 Make the Most of Runs. Keep panty hose and tights with modest runs to wear under slacks. Cut a slit in their labels so you can easily identify them.
#5 Save the Packaging. When you find a pair of hosiery that you love, save the packaging. When you need to buy a new pair, you’ll have all the information you need. This tip is particularly helpful if you order your hosiery online.
#6 Know Your Percentages. Chances are your favorite hose, socks and tights are made with a percentage of Lycra and/or spandex. The addition of these modern fabrics makes them more comfortable and durable. Consider doing away with all the hosiery that doesn’t make you feel (and look!) your personal best.
#7 Ditch the Styles that Date You. Nude hosiery is a fashionable choice today except when it has an orange-like tint that tells the world they are left over from the 70s and 80s! Keep only nude hosiery that is more natural in appearance while complimenting your natural skin tone. Likewise, navy and white hosiery are old school, too — many of the younger women we coach have never even owned a pair in these hues. The exception is if they are nurses or flight attendants and their uniforms require these hosiery colors. Black hosiery in various shades continues to stand the test of time as long as it is coordinated with your outfits wisely.
#8 Get Fancy. Hosiery that you don’t wear all that often (i.e. a pair of hosiery you only wear for black tie events) doesn’t have to take up valuable room in your day-to-day hosiery storage area. We recommend storing fancy hose with the dressy shoes and evening bags that go with a specific outfit in a clear shoebox so they are protected and easy to locate when you need them.
#9 Be Brand Loyal. Doesn’t it always seem as if your washing machine and/or dryer eat your socks? To avoid having a sock drawer full of single socks, stock up on the same socks from the same manufacturer so you can mix and match as you go. Most women can get by with a total of 10 pairs of black and brown over-the-calf trouser socks per season.
#10 Have a Back-up Plan. Finally, whether at home or on the road, always have a few brand new pairs of hosiery at your disposal. There’s nothing worse than stockings with a run when you are getting ready for an important business or social occasion!
happy styling!
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4 Replies
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Virginia,
What a great set of tips! Its hard to throw things away, but you do have to be ruthless at times. It has stirred me sufficiently to look at my hosiery and I might do a bit of a winter cull.
Hugs
Helen
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Thanks Virginia.
Some very good hints in that info.
I particulary relate to item #10 as I always have one, if not TWO spare backups of hosiery (especially if its A very sheer yarn) when i’m dressing for a special occassion. I can’t stand the thought of going out with a run in my hosiery, or worse, having to resort to bare legs!
CLARE.
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Great Tips Virginia.
I just wanted to mention the Golden Rule when putting on expensive stockings and pantihose. DO NOT wear rings especially those with mounted stones . It is Very easy to snag them and cause a ladder and upset you .
Caroline
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Re wearing any leggings. Using cotton gloves when putting on , taking off can reduce the possibility of snagging the item with nails or jewelery.
~bambi~
