So, you're a man who wants to wear stockings.

Congratulations! You're part of the growing number of men reclaiming stockings as their own.

Wait, reclaiming?

Yes, you read that right. Stockings were originally worn by men. Just think of Henry the 8th fabulously displaying his revered calves that his English subjects couldn't get enough of at the time. And if we're being honest, we still can't.

Firstly, we'd like to say you've made the right choice.

Thigh highs are the best choice of hosiery for men

Why?

We've listed a few below:

Size

Men tend to be taller than women. So, you won't find wearing thigh highs as restrictive or "tricky." Our advice to you: Size down. As a man, the likelihood is that your thighs are more narrow than the average woman's.

Versatility

Thigh highs can be as warm as they are breathable. They also just happen to have a sexier edge than any other form of hosiery.

Secondly, we'd like you to get your bearings on thigh highs; get comfortable, and feel just like the king you (historically speaking) are.

And we're here to help!

At VienneMilano, thigh highs, stockings, and all their variations are kind of our specialty. Or, if we're being real – our obsession. Don't believe us? Just take a look at our line of men's stockings that we've named affectionately.

And we've all been there, stepping into our first pair of thigh highs. We know that it feels scarily new; you might feel a bit like a newborn deer who doesn't quite know how to move around just yet. And that's completely fine.

With every step, the feeling of the stocking's material will become more familiar. Before long, it'll feel just like your own skin.

But less of our unrestrained enthusiasm for stockings! The likelihood is that you're staring down a pair of stockings.

How to Wear Stockings for Beginners

Here's what you're going to do:

• Find a comfortable place to sit down.
• Pick up your stockings (make sure your nails are nicely trimmed beforehand, so you don't risk snagging and tearing the material.)
• Starting with the leg of your choice, place a hand on either side of the leg opening, with your thumb to the front and four fingers to the back.
• Bunch up the material using your fingers, ensuring that the leg remains relatively lined up.
• Next, all that's left to do is point your toe and slide your leg into the material slowly but surely before repeating for your other leg.

And voila!

Not sure if they're on right?

Thigh highs should come all the way up. The best way to determine where your thigh high band should fall is to put your hand underneath your crotch. Where your pinky falls is where the top of the band should go.

Will they stay up?

If you shop with VienneMilano, the answer is a resounding yes – we can guarantee it! You might be pleasantly surprised by how resilient, and subtly strong stockings with a silicone band (what we use) are. But if your stockings keep falling down - it's time for a new pair. Get yourself fitted or measure yourself to ensure a comfortable fit that stays up!

You can see my leg hair through my stockings!

If this is an issue for you, you can always opt for high-dernier or opaque stockings (Ahem: CLAUDIA) as their thicker material camouflages everything underneath.

Where can I wear thigh highs?

There's a thigh high style for all occasions, events, and moods. A general rule of thumb is that these highs can be worn anywhere and everywhere.

What do I wear with thigh highs?

Anything you want! Dresses and skirts. You can even wear thigh highs underneath pants. To get to know your thigh highs better and what suits you best, why not play around with different outfits with varying textures and materials?

Shoes: The sky is the limit, but we strongly prefer to wear high heels. That said, sneakers and boots work. The trick is to consider the denier (we can reference an existing blog post)

Are people looking at me?!

They'll look no matter what.

And there you have it...

We know that men wear stockings for various reasons: for warmth, comfort, or the compression they provide as a possible antidote to circulatory problems or varicose veins. Or simply because they like the feel. Others because they like the way it makes them feel.

Whatever your reason, we promise you'll feel right at home in stockings very soon. Unfortunately, none of us were born wearing stockings, but we can make the great choice to wear them ever after. It just takes a little getting used to.

If you have any further questions about your stocking journey, we'd be happy to hear them and help to the best of our abilities! Reach out by chatting with us online, or contact our resident stylists: Holly Katz and Lindsey Taub.

Photo credit: Mark Bryan