Nicole is a stylish cross dresser from London and she has a rare preference for ultra sheer pantyhose, like 8 den or less. I am very impressed and curious to find out why she likes it so much.
Q: What’s the advantage of 8 den over 15 den? Both are sheer to me.
I have always like nude or natural shades, rather than darker sheer tights (pantyhose across the pond).
The look I try and achieve with my sheers is for a perfect skin tone match so it looks like I have only got ‘make-up’ for the legs.
Depending on how much sun or if I have been using a bronzing moisturiser, my skintone fluctuates a little. Sometimes it’s never quite a good match.
I find that 15-20 Denier whilst quite sheer do give quite a good leg / imperfection coverage. However, the challenge is always in finding ‘just right’ nude / natural shades. If my skin colouring has got a perfect match then 15s or so will be invisible.
Too dark and it can look either a bit orange – or too ‘American Tan’. Too pale, and it looks powdery.
With tights 10 denier or less, because they are so light and translucent, if I’m not a perfect skintone match for any of my varying (and embarrassingly large collection of sheers in slightly varying natural shades) then 7 or 8 denier will still work,
Additionally, as I am sure you know even sheers give you a layer. In the warmer months, some manufacturers make ‘cooling’ tights. Again – they are ultra sheer – and now they are all run resistant.
Q: Do you feel more feminine wearing 8 den rather than 20 den?
I guess so – I like my tights so sheer and tone matched that I’m practically challenging people to notice. Essentially, nylons are a very feminine statement no matter if they are invisible or not. I am a complete addict and I will wear them with my male clothes, for work, with jeans – and the ubiquitous lycra that i wear for pilates, dance etc. I wax, and as any lover of nylons will tell you – sheers + smooth skin is a fairly unique sensation – though you do get used to it.
I started my cross-dressing journey at 12, and the thing that first tempted me to it was curiosity regarding wanting to try sheers on. In that respect, they do make me feel more feminine, what ever I choose to be wearing – dressed fully as a woman, or even partly. I like to have a little bit of this side to me at all times – but when I am dressed male – they are more a little reminder to myself.
As for higher deniers, I wear upto 80 denier when its very cold, and my favourite opaques are my Wolford Satin 50s
Q: This is such a delicate garment. What do you do to avoid runs?
Runs tend to be caused either by catching them on your clothes, your shoes or just by having a sharp toe or rough heels, especially in the under 10 denier weights.
I don’t use hosiery gloves firstly, but I take my watch and any jewellery off first. We all know (or in my case learned by trial and error) how to put them on properly, and I careful with zips etc with skirts, pants and jeans.
As well as my regular waxing, my beautician gives an excellent pedicure. So my heels get carefully exfoliated and then moisturised. A gel pedicure stops snaggy nails too.
The rest is just ‘wear with care!’
Q: I notice that on your blog you put a special emphasis on hosiery-related topics. What is it about hosiery that you like so much?
I have always thought of hosiery as a fantastic treat and an amazing garment. Personally, I love the fabric, stretchiness, and the sensation of the fabric on my skin. I like the impression of hiding imperfections – or providing warmth or colour and expressing myself with some of the interesting patterns. They finish off an outfit and I wouldn’t feel properly dressed without them – especially when I’m in a skirt or heels! The fact that such a fantastic sensation and luxurious sensation is traditionally closed to guys is a terrible shame!
Finally – they are what attracted me to dressing, clothes and shoes – and along with my dancewear, lycra etc – they are and will be my first love!
Nicole’s Blog: http://crossdresssecret.blogspot.com
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