Should I Wear Pantyhose to Interviews?

Quick Answer if you're a guy:  No.

posted by Sue Danbom on Aug. 11, 2009

The question has come up.  Should you wear pantyhose to a job interview?  Seems like a simple question, doesn't it?

Pantyhose - the sheer type have been dying a slow death since 1995. 
There is actually a name for it - The "Sex In the City" Effect -  where
you wear your Manolo's sans hose. Oprah doesn't wear pantyhose. 
Neither does Michelle Obama.   Hillary Clinton?  Notice all the pant
suits?  Nancy Pelosi?  Definitely pantyhose. 

Is there an appropriate time to wear pantyhose? And I am not
describing fishnets, patterned hose, thigh-highs with seams or opaque
tights that still make a fashion statement.  I'm talking about skin
tone or black sheer pantyhose - the corporate dress requirement of the
80's.  (Suggested times for pantyhose?  Chicago in January with the
wind whipping off Lake Michigan.  When your very, white legs give off
an undead aura. When a shave or pedicure is in order. When you don't
have Malibu Barbie legs.)

Is it a generational thing?  Regional?  Is it an attitude?  With all
the news about "mature workers" having difficulty finding jobs, does
the pantyhose debate come into play?

The same could be said for men in dress shirts and ties.  When is it
appropriate for an interview?  (I hear that the fashion world is
touting mantyhose this fall!  Oh, no!)

Care to weigh in?  As an interviewer, what do you think?

7 comments

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   Susan Smith

  
  1
  point
  
  38 minutes ago
  

  If
  you are a business professionial, appearances count.  Whenever there is
  this type of dress controversy, I believe it's best to make the
  conservative choice.  In an interview, the first impression you make is
  very important.  If the person you are interviewing with takes note of
  your appearance in a negative way, you can probably forget moving
  forward in the interview process.  Would a man go to an interview in
  business attire without socks?  We may have lost the floppy scarf ties
  (yeah!) but like it or not, pantyhose are just part of the corporate
  uniform. 

  
  
  
  
  
  


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   Davyd Sweeting

  
  1
  point
  
  17 hours ago
  

  I
  think the time for women to wear hosery is when it would be obvious
  that you aren't wearing them.  The bare leg/hosery question is the same
  as the skirt/slacks question.  Know your audience even if you have to
  sit outside the company offices and watch employees come and go.  If
  they are wearing suits and hosery--do the same.  Ask yourself (and
  people who will tell you the truth) if the outfit you are going to wear
  says "I'm serious about this interview and am showing you respect by
  the way I dress."  You don't want your interviewer to be sizing you
  up as in "The Devel Wears Prada".  Carrie Bradshaw already has a job. 
  She is not a good role model for interview dress. Bare arms or pits,
  skirts that are too short, shirts that ride up in the back when you
  sit, too much cleveage, blouses that gap across the bust, VPL, sheer
  fabrics, are all distractions that will keep your interviewer focused
  on the wrong things--especially in our multi-cultural work
  environment. Do you really want to find yourself in bare legs being
  interviewed by a hiring manager who wears a head scarf?  Better a
  little overdressed than a little underdressed. Show off your fashion
  independence once you land the job (unless the job is in fashion, then
  you get a pass).  Good luck.

  
  
  
  
  
  


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   Sarah Welstead

  
  1
  point
  
  18 hours ago
  

  To
  be honest, I wouldn't dream of going into an interview without
  pantyhose unless I already knew the people/environment etc.  And I'm in
  my 30's, not 60+.

  
  


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   Adriana Estrada

  
  1
  point
  
  19 hours ago
  

  Pantyhouse,
  ugh!  I haven't seen a pair of those in years and I don't believe it is
  necessary to wear them EVER, even for an interview!  For those that
  need to hide pale or un-shaved legs, what's wrong with a pair of pants
  or a pant suit for an interview? I've seen many executive women show up
  for the interview looking polished, professional and comfortable in a
  pant suit and believe it is very acceptable and appropriate.  

  
  
  
  
  
  


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   Michelle Pfeiffer

  
  1
  point
  
  20 hours ago
  

  There
  is nothing worse than being underdressed in a new corporate
  environment.  You never know who you're going to meet during your
  interview process.  If you're unsure of the company culture, wear
  pantyhose if a skirt is necessary, although yes they are outdated. 
  Better yet, wear pants & you don't have to worry about it!

  
  
  
  
  
  


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   peni volz

  
  1
  point
  
  20 hours ago
  

  My
  personal opinion is that if someone feels more comfortable in
  pantyhose, they should then wear them.  I do believe they are outdated
  and most folks wouldn't even know if one is or is not wearing them.  I
  definitely believe this to be a generational thing.  Hats off to the
  new generation!

  
  
  
  
  
  


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   Jennifer Fry

  
  0
  points
  
  3 hours ago
  

  I
  haven't worn panty hose since the early 90's when I realized I was
  truly allergic to them. I'm not kidding and it's not an excuse. Of
  course, I haven't worn a skirt or dress in almost as long, either.  As
  long as you look professional and put together, I don't think it should
  matter.