So yesterday I was cleaning out my bottom drawer when I found this forgotten pack of sheer panty hose. You know the ones – ultra sheer, basically nude color. Hadn’t seen those in years! It got me pondering: Are these things even still a thing in 2024? They looked kinda… dusty. And outdated. But then I thought, hold on, maybe they’re due for a comeback? You see all this vintage stuff returning, right? So, curiosity got the better of me. I decided to experiment. For one day, I’d try styling these relics with different 2024 outfits. Like, seriously try. No laughing (well, maybe a little).
The First Try (& The Near-Give-Up)
Grabbed the package, ripped it open. Pulling them on felt like wrestling with clingy Saran Wrap. Got them up, adjusted. Looked in the mirror. Hmm. They felt… tight. And looked frankly a bit weird on bare legs with just a t-shirt. Kinda like I forgot to finish getting dressed. Plus, that classic toe seam? Yeah, not a fan. Almost chucked them right back into the drawer. Temptation was real. But no, I committed!
Experimenting With Different Combos
Okay, deep breath. Time to get methodical. My mission: style these dusty-looking hose with current clothes. Here’s what I tried:
- With Ripped Jeans: This was my wild card. Put on my favorite light-wash ripped jeans (rips mainly on the knees/thighs) and slid into some chunky white sneakers. Added an oversized denim jacket over a simple crop top. Then… pulled on the hose underneath. Honestly? Wasn’t awful! The sheer layer peeking through the rips actually created a kinda cool, subtle textural contrast against the raw denim edges. Not bulky either. Biggest win of the day.
- Under Denim Shorts: Went for a casual vibe: mid-rise denim shorts, a boxy graphic tee tied at the waist, and hiking boots. Pulled the hose up under the shorts. Verdict? Honestly, pretty meh. Felt a bit redundant under shorts that were already covering my thighs. Didn’t add much except maybe a tiny bit of evening-out of skin tone? But mostly just felt like an extra, pointless layer.
- With Chunky Loafers & a Mini Skirt: Aimed for that kinda preppy-grunge mix. Black mini skirt, chunky black leather loafers (no socks!), a white button-down knotted at the waist, messy bun. Slipped on the hose. The sheer black (yes, I grabbed a black pair too later!) tights definitely changed the vibe. Made the mini skirt look a bit less casual, maybe more intentional? The black-on-black hid the toe seam mostly with the loafers. It worked, surprisingly! Made my legs look smoother under the skirt but kept the overall look modern because of the chunky shoes.
- With an Oversized Sweater Dress: Tried this comfy oversized grey knit dress that hits mid-calf. Added ankle boots. Then pulled on the nude hose. Instantly looked… frumpy. Seriously. It screamed “I’m cold and it’s 1998”. Definitely didn’t work. Took them off immediately. This combo felt dated no matter what.
The Blistering Reality & Final Verdict
By mid-afternoon, my feet started protesting. Those stupid hose were bunching weirdly behind my knees and rubbing my toes. Total blast from the past, and not the good kind. Had to ditch them completely around 3 PM. Couldn’t handle it!
So, the big question after my deep dive into the forgotten drawer: Are panty hose “fashionable” in 2024? Nah, not really. They aren’t suddenly trending like wide-leg jeans or micro bags.
BUT! Can you use them? Actually… maybe. Very situationally.
- Ripped Jeans: If you do this, sheer black or nude peeking through the rips actually creates an interesting visual texture, surprisingly modern when done with purpose.
- Minis with Chunky Shoes: Black sheer hose under a mini skirt can work well with heavy, chunky footwear (loafers, boots) by creating a smoother leg line without fully “bare leg” vibes.
- Color Matters: Black sheer? More versatile and way less “granny core” than tan nude. Helps hide those seams.
- Comfort is Key (and often lacking): Seriously, modern ones haven’t improved much comfort-wise. Be prepared for the toe seam struggle and potential bunching.
Honestly? Fishnets or thicker patterned tights offer more impact and are definitely more in. This was a total nostalgia experiment. But hey, if you find an old pack and wanna be playful like I was? Try them under super ripped jeans or with a mini and really bold shoes. Might just work. But will I be buying new ones? Probably not! It was fun to dig out the past, though. And kinda surprised about the jeans thing.
