Us Poll: Would You Wear Sheer Stockings Like Kate Middleton?

See Results »
No, they look outdated.
19% 852
Yes, they look elegant.
81% 3584
Celebrity Style July 5, 2011 AT 5:29PM
Would You Wear Sheer Stockings Like Kate Middleton? Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage; Chris Jackson-Pool/Getty; Macpherson/Gillis/Splash News

The only people who can get away with wearing shiny, flesh-colored tights are cheerleaders, figure skaters and Beyonce (when she's performing onstage). Until now.

The Duchess of Cambridge, 29, who has become an international style icon practically overnight, is quite the fan of nude stockings, donning them with almost every one of her designer dresses.

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Sheer hosiery (specifically the type with a sheen), went out of style with shoulder pads and slouch socks, so why does the fashion-forward Middleton regularly step out in stockings?

It's likely that she is following conservative Royal protocol, just like the Queen, the Duchess of Cornwall and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who always wear stockings (with close-toe pumps) at official appearances and events.

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Other stylish ladies who have been spotted in nude tights include Pippa Middleton, Hayden Panettiere and Sarah Jessica Parker.

PHOTOS: Pippa's street style

The British press recently reported that sales of tan-colored tights have risen by up to 85 percent in the past year, and attribute the increase to the Middleton sisters.

Tell Us What You Think

5
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  • February 16, 2012 - 6:06am Tracy Romero

    Some of us never stopped. She looks stunning in those outfits, and the stockings certainly do help with the fit and finish. The poll should tell the Fashionistas out there : 80% on this one shows what the public thinks. We have to stop listening to the know-nothing fashion police about these things. Stacy London is one of the worst 'hose haters out there. She doesn't like to wear them, therefore they do not look good and they are "tacky". Well Stacy (and all of the non-straight men out there), why don't you stop with the 20-year campaign to eliminate sheer stockings in fashion. Of course your legs will look better. Yes, men prefer to look at stockinged legs than bare ones. Even really nice legs look better. Accept it. You know, I don't like to wear makeup every day so I think that I will become a critic and start telling everyone that makeup is tacky, and a faux-pas. My complexion isn't really the best, and I look so much better wearing makeup, but the natural look is simply much better. Maybe I will just get a good facial tan and then I will be fine. NOT! If you don't think that people are looking at your legs, you are sadly mistaken. Everyone looks; certainly men (where your legs can be seen at great distances) but also other women. I wore a set of ultra-class berkshires the other day, and the looks that I was getting (guys trying not to seem obvious were funny!) were amazing. A young woman next to me had a look like she just couldn't figure out why someone would wear them (the dangers of growing up with "hose hatred"). I slipped my shoe off for a second, making a slight adjustment of the toe-seam on one leg, and literally everyone was looking at my legs (which looked awesome). One poor guy looked like he was going to fall over, but I think that the sight of my nail polish through my stockings put him over the edge. Well, I dress for men these days, even if I am "off the market" and could care what the nay-sayers think. Modern women are uber-lazy, and it is like an entire generation of young women who won't put the efforts into appearance that they ought to do. Sorry, but it is true.

  • September 16, 2011 - 1:50am Wally Cichanski

    GOOD FOR YOU LADIES! BARE LEG LOOKS ARE SO BAD!

  • July 06, 2011 - 10:01am Claudia R. Craig

    Thank gosh, finally someone is wearing stockings with a dress and heels! It looks so tacky to wear a dress and heels without stockings on. I don't see how anyone could wear heels without stockings, because it hurts your feet, and your feet get sticky inside your shoes. Stockings and tights look so much better than bare legs.

  • July 05, 2011 - 7:06pm Annalee Jackson

    Thank god! I think women (especially in short, short dresses) look really tacky without "stockings" on...even nude. It's so much classier looking (JUST MY OPINION) with a sheer hose. PLUS, it evens out skin tone, shapes and supports your legs, too. I don't know why it EVER went supposedly out of style. I understand the thick, Mrs Cunningham look not being hip; I'm not saying go all ancient 50's look, but the sheer makes anyone's legs look SO much better than they do when bare...

  • July 05, 2011 - 6:56pm Karla Craig Dishon

    Look what is coming back into fashion. I would probably wear them if it was a cold day or night and I was wearing a dress.

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