Have you retired your nylons to the back of the sock drawer? While funky-colored and textured tights have been in vogue for a while, we're predicting a comeback in sheer hose, due in part to their popularity with Duchess Catherine , who's frequently been photographed wearing them. But before you roll those stockings up your legs, you should know that nylons can have good and bad effects on your health. When blood doesn't circulate well and pools in the lower legs, it can lead to the development of unsightly and painful varicose veins and spider veins which are like varicose veins but smaller. Special pantyhose called compression stockings can help alleviate the aching, throbbing, and irritation that often accompany varicose and spider veins.

What's worse -- bare legs with all the flaws or pantyhose? I just bought a dress for work -- about knee length. Normally during the summer I wear really long skirts and bare legs and low-heeled sandals. But with a knee-length skirt, I don't really feel comfortable with bare legs and heels.

Every product is independently selected by obsessive editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission. While some flight attendants and all Hooters waitresses are still required to wear flesh-toned pantyhose as part of their uniforms, almost every major American corporation has banished any mention of pantyhose from dress-code manuals.

It's spring, and from my experience as a woman and as someone who writes about personal style, I know I can expect two things:. Millions of women, myself included, will ditch their winter tights in favor of bare legs with the skirts and dresses we wear to work and to social events and everywhere in between. And men — typically baby boomers and beyond — will call and e-mail me to register their disappointment.