How to Put on Pantyhose
Pantyhose are made of delicate nylon fabric that covers you from the toes to the waist, helping to even skin tone and reduce friction. They're notorious for ripping and running when you try to handle them, but once you successfully get them on, they can make your outfit look polished and sleek. Using the proper technique to put on pantyhose will extend the life of your hosiery and ensure a smooth, comfortable fit.
1
Prepare your hands, feet and legs. To keep from snagging a hangnail or patch of rough skin on your pantyhose, prepare your hands, feet and legs to make the process easier. Here are a few things you might do to get ready:
- File your fingernails and toenails.
- Shave or wax your legs (especially if your hose are sheer).
- Moisturize your hands, legs and feet.
- Take off any rings and bracelets that may catch on the nylon material and damage the pantyhose.
2
Position the pantyhose front-forward. Check for the tag and position the pantyhose so that you'll be putting them on with the tag in the back. They're constructed to be put on a certain way, and putting them on backwards could make them look and feel strange.
3
Gather one leg of the pantyhose to the toe. Starting on either the right side or left, hold the waist of the pantyhose and gently bunch the leg so that the inside of the toe is exposed. The point is to create an easy pathway for your foot, so that you can place it inside the length of the hose leg without tearing the fabric.
4
Point your toe and slip your foot inside. You might need to stretch the opening a bit to make sure your foot can fit inside without catching on the fabric. Pointing your toe will help prevent your toenail from snagging the hose. Put your whole foot inside and arrange the bottom of the hose leg so that the seam at the toe runs across the tip of your toes.
- Make sure the leg isn't twisted when you put your foot inside. If it's twisted, it will be difficult to pull the pantyhose up your leg.
- You can be in either a sitting or standing position when you put on your pantyhose. If you find it difficult to balance on one foot, you might want to sit!
5
Gently pull smooth the fabric up to your thigh. Ease it on carefully and slowly, making sure the fabric doesn't pull or rip. Keep the hose leg centered and pull it up until you reach your thigh. If the fabric is twisted or bunched at the knees, straighten it before proceeding.
6
Repeat with the other side. Gather the waist and the toe of the other leg so that you create an easy path for your foot to fit through. Point your toe and insert it, then line up the toe of the hose so that the seam runs across your toes. Pull the hose leg up over your calf and knee until it reaches your thighs. Make sure it's not bunched or twisted.
7
Finish pulling the pantyhose up. You should have enough fabric left to easily finish pulling your pantyhose up around your waist. If you've been sitting, stand up and pull up the pantyhose so that the elastic at the top sits around your waist.
- As you finish pulling the pantyhose up, you may need to alternate legs to ensure that the fabric is evenly distributed and doesn't twist.
Take a look and make necessary adjustments. Check for areas where the pantyhose are bunched, or places where your skin feels pinched. The pantyhose should feel snug, but not uncomfortable. If you see a place where they're twisted, it's worth it to take them off and repeat the process more carefully - especially if you'll be wearing them all day long!
- If you're wearing patterned or seamed hose, try putting on a pair of rubber gloves to make small adjustments for a flawless finish, rather than pinching the hose with your fingers and risking a tear.