Why men like stockings and suspenders?

[MsBakingCakes]

Had a chat with DP last night and he cannot explain why men like women in stockings and suspenders. I do not know the answer so I thought that here in mumsnet someone would come and helps us discover why.

He is not sure either but thinks it is sexy but he does not know why.

Anyone out there to help us please?

[MidnightMasquerader]

Just to add, I know pornography dates back way before the 40s/50s, but it wasn't for public consumption. You had to seek it out and most people wouldn't have had access to it.

Pin-up girls were suddenly there for everyone to see and, um, appreciate.

[MidnightMasquerader]

Meh, I think suspenders are sexy.

It is possible to be able to look at something from an analytical viewpoint and critique it and indulge in it.

[Verbalpunchbag]

Thanks midnight, for that rather predictable reply.

[MidnightMasquerader]

Sorry - what sort of response were you hoping for then?

I'm struggling to see your analogy / point...

[Verbalpunchbag]

Maybe it's not because of patriarchal norms, or pornography, or a sign women are 'up for it' , maybe they just look nice?

[Tortington]

lets face it - along with lines on the back of stockings - its like road map to the vagina

the promise of whats underneath the skirt - or what's higher up.


the issue is not the stocking, but the meaning of sexyness.


Its not right to state that preening and pruning are the domain of women alone

[MidnightMasquerader]

Maybe it's not because of patriarchal norms, or pornography, or a sign women are 'up for it' , maybe they just look nice?

Yeah, maybe. If you don't want to think about it too much...

The OP asked a question, and people gave their thoughts on it.

[Verbalpunchbag]

Maybe it just doesn't need thinking about too much, maybe someone might see a picture in a woman's magazine of a woman wearing stockings, in an article written by a woman, the editor is a woman, the readers are women. But of course it's all about women being portrayed as sex objects and men are to blame because of the patriarchal society.....

[MidnightMasquerader]

The annoying thing is though, that some people like to think.

And every now and then they'll come up with explanations that aren't to the satisfaction of everyone... :)

No-one's forcing anyone to agree with them, as far as I can see.

[Verbalpunchbag]

This is true midnight but whenever such thoughts are articulated the usual reaction from most men is to think 'man hating feminist'. Rather than accusing all men of treating women as sex objects or pontificating that the reason men like stockings or heels or women shaving their eyebrows off and then drawing them back on so they look permanently surprised, is due to patriachial norms, or pornography,or whatever. I really think women who espouse such views are doing women a disservice, feminism has a long way still to go and such views damage women's cause. They're just stockings, they look nice, that is all.

[Midwife99]

I don't want to over think it. I look & feel sexy in them in the same way my DH does in a nice pair of tight trunks with that lovely trail of tummy hair poking out!

[coxspippin]

do you remember those experiments with ducklings and imprinting?
well perhaps small boys imprint on their mothers' legs (and tights/ stockings). i know that's a daft answer!

[Dahlen]

I always wear holdups. I cannot abide the feel of tights, where the gusset always ends up somewhere around your knees and the waistband up by your bra. Ugh!

Stockings and suspenders, however, are a huge faff, and I will only wear them if I need to wear hosiery that I cannot get in a hold-up version.

This is all about personal choice for me based on how things feel, but I am amazed at how men seem to think my personal choice in hosiery is about them rather than me (well not them, specifically, more the male of the species IYSWIM).

[FryOneFatManic]

I've worn stockings since I was about 18. Don't like tights because they make me feel too warm. Any added sexual thing is just a bonus, but I don't wear them for that, I wear them for my comfort.

[slutorvictim]

I just asked DP, he said "dunno" lol

I think they look nice - maybe its that? maybe its the accesibility with the nicely shaped legs?

I personlly look ridiculous in them (think muffin top but wiht legs )

[sydlexic]

DH says it is about contrast, they look all prim and proper Miss Jones with the skirt down and sexy and accessible with skirt up. He likes them because he knows I put them on for him, to be fair I don't wear them any other time. He also said they look a bit strappy and bondage like.

He asked is this a trick question, am I going to be on trouble again.

[lavenderhoney]

It's knickers over the stockings for the pp who asked. A waspie looks nice as well, and helps hide any bulges.

[wonderingsoul]

Might be a contrast thing.. im white and partner is black and i well we both find the contrast of when our skin is touching really sexy.. i cant explain why but it is?

[zoobeedoo]

Partner loves them, hold ups or with suspenders. I feel really sexy wearing them, i know i look great in them, sex ends up even better than normal. Keep it as an every so often surprise, always gets a good reaction. He just thinks I look great, not that I'm a submissive patriarchal stereotype.

[PurpleHairBigKnickers]

Again they are popular here. I feel sexy making an effort to dress up instead of jeans or work uniform. The feel of his hand running up my leg and the contrast between the nylon and skin.

After discussion why he finds them sexy, have been advised that it's to do with early conditioning looking at women's legs from being in a strolier or baby walker.

[horseygeorgie]

I love wearing them! They make me feel gorgeous, much better than bloody tights. I don't really care if the men like them lol but I've never had a man complain. I like fully fashioned seamed ones.

[alltouchedout]

I find them quite sexy and I couldn't tell you why! DH does, but not to the extent that he'd want me to wear them unless I wanted to wear them myself. I can't tell you why I fancy the pants off DH if he wears a suit (which has been all of three occasions in our 12 years together), but I do. Or why I find him jaw droppingly sexy in his oldest, tattiest long denim shorts. Some things just tickle your fancy and if everyone involved is OK with that, then it's all good.