Control pantyhose provide support to the tummy and buttocks, eliminating the need for additional support garments. They also avoid visible panty lines. It’s important to buy the right size and length for maximum control. Spanx are a popular alternative to girdles and pantyhose.
Control pantyhose are a type of nylon stocking developed in the mid-1960s that are intended to provide additional support to the buttocks and especially the tummy, making it unnecessary to wear additional support garments for this purpose. They came into style around the same time that women began to stop wearing girdles, which were considered heavy and restrictive. Many styles feature a cotton crotch and can be worn without any panties.
The panty section of the control top pantyhose may have additional elastic gussets or panels. More commonly, the panty part is somewhat restrictive due to the addition of lycra or nylon. Lycra provides a firmer hold than nylon, so you can keep your tummy tucked in and your butt lifted slightly. However, control top pantyhose are not miraculous: they give a slight grip, but they will not completely eliminate what women might consider flaws in the figure.
Some women also prefer control top pantyhose because they avoid a fashion faux pas, the visible panty line. Especially when wearing nylons under tight pants or skirts, a line through outerwear that shows panties is a fashionable no-no. These pantyhose are a good replacement as they do not have a ridged panty line.
It is always important to buy stockings in the right size. If you have an extra size, no problem. Many plus size clothing manufacturers make plus size control top pantyhose that will still give you a smoother finish. Finding the right length is also valuable. Most nylon stockings, whether top control or not, will fit a woman about 5 feet 8 inches (68 inches or 1.72 m) maximum.
If it’s higher, the pantyhose may tend to slide down and won’t provide the control you’re looking for for long. To this end, you can also purchase tall sizes, more commonly available in department stores. You may have trouble finding tall or plus sizes at local supermarkets or pharmacies.
Some women don’t like the extra support that control pantyhose provides. You can certainly buy nylons without a control top. On nylon packs, these might be called “sheer to the waist.” Top control pantyhose will typically state specifically that they are top control.
In the 2000s, wearing nylons or stockings became somewhat passé, and the barefoot style became more popular. Many women lost the control top more than the rest of the leg coverage they provided. To this end, Spanx were developed. They are similar to the control top pantyhose, but end above the knee and rise slightly above the waist. They are becoming very popular as an alternative to girdles and pantyhose, providing light and gentle support.
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