Sharon C

Hello Sangue16 (and Heidi, Jane, Alexa if reading), With regards to your question about stockings, I very rarely wear them; in fact I can't honestly remember the last time I did wear a pair, as I am always wearing tights. As for brands, I have found some really good quality non-branded opaques in the supermarkets for around 6 Euros per pair that last longer and are more comfortable than the boutique branded ones that sell for in excess of 30 Euros, so because of that I tend not to buy expensive branded ones very often. As for the navy blue 140 denier opaques I was wearing yesterday, I have got wet in those many times, including even swimming with them on. When I climb out of the pool, they have a really nice shine to them where the water is pouring off me and running down my legs, and they look almost black Anyway, nice to hear from you and look forward to your reply. Sharon. xx

Hi Sangue16, Thanks for your post and nice to meet you. With regards to your question about whether I find my tights ladder easily, I would have to say no. I'm assuming that you tend to wear sheer tights and stockings (typically 20 denier and below)? I usually always wear opaque tights with a minimum of 40 denier (but typically between 80 and 140 denier). I can't remember the last time I laddered a pair of my 80s or 100s, and as for my 140 denier, those are so strong that I have never, ever managed to ladder them. They seem to be indestructible. I'm pretty sure the only way to make a hole in those would require the use of either a cigarette lighter or a pair of scissors! LOL I'm actually wearing a pair of navy blue 140 denier opaques today. I've had them for around a year and a half now, and they are still in excellent condition, so good that they haven't even started to get any of the bobbles on the fabric that usually occur with opaque tights after several machine washes and tumble dries. Kind regards, Sharon. x

Hello Heidi (and Jane and Alexa if reading), I haven't had a chance to try that experiment yet, but, funny you should mention it, because I'm actually planning on doing it over the weekend I'll be sure to describe my findings once I've done it. As for your other question, when I get up in the morning I don't walk around in them for long, as I get in the shower with them on, have a normal shower, then put the wet tights and panties to soak in the wash bowl with half a cap of detergent. I then dry myself off and put on clean tights and panties, and the rest of my outfit, and get on with the day's events. When I get home from work I wash the items by hand that have been soaking all day in the bowl and put them on the radiator to dry. By keeping this routine, it means I'm only out of tights for a very short period of time each day (a bit more time if it's on a day when I'm shaving my legs). Anyway, hope you have a nice weekend and hope to hear from you soon. Sharon. xx

Hello again Heidi, Thanks for your reply. It seems like you and I are very similar. I too tend to wear knee-length boots nearly all year round, and always with tights. Even in the middle of summer I don't go bare legs in them. Like you, most of my heels range between 2 1/2" and 4 1/2". Most are smooth inside, but I do have a few fur-lined ones. As for your question regarding when I take them off, they don't get cold too quickly, but this is usually because I take them off at the end of the night before going to bed, but keep my tights on in bed. That way, I can sleep comfortably and keep my feet and legs warm. With regards to keeping my more expensive boots dry, I do tend to, althought there have been times when I've been out wearing an expensive pair and an opportunity to get wet presents itself. On some of these occasions, I have gone in with an expensive pair of boots on (providing, though, that the water is clean, like a fountain, swimming pool etc). Well, hope to hear from you again soon. Sharon. xx

Hello Heidi (and Jane and Alexa), No, after going in the sea with tights on, there's no need for any special washing requirements. I can simply shower off in them and then wash by hand, or put them in the washing machine with the rest of the outfit. Regarding your other question, yes, I do seem to be spending more, year on year, on tights and boots. A few months ago, I found some really nice thick opaque tights in eight different colours. They were six Euros per pair, and I bought four of each colour, at a total cost of 192 Euros! I've only opened one pair of each colour, as I wanted to keep three of each brand new in case they get discontinued - I would at least have spares. I have also found that, over the last few years, I've certainly raised my standards when it comes to boots; nothing too over-the-top, but whereas in the past I may have spent around 50 Euros on a pair, I'm now spending around 150. I'm not sure if this is considered a lot or not, but I think it's quite a lot to spend on a single pair of boots. What do you think? Look forward to hearing from you again soon. Sharon. xx

Hello Heidi (and Jane and Alexa if you're reading), Heidi, nice to hear from you again. With regards to your question, yes, you're right, I always wear tights every day; and yes, I very often get them wet The washing of them usually depends on a few different factors. If I've been for a fully-clothed swim, either in the sea or in my pool, then I put them in the washing machine along with the rest of the outfit and then tumble dry. The washer and dryer don't seem to harm them at all (even though on the packet it says to hand wash only). For example, I'm wearing a pair of my 140 denier 'claret-red' coloured ones; they are 16 months old now, and let's say they get worn and washed twice a week. That would mean up until now they have had at least 128 machine washes and tumble dries; all that and they're still in excellent condition, but for just a few small bobbles on the upper thighs. Even the waistband is still firm and stretchy. If I come home and fancy just getting my feet wet, then I usually remove my tights about an hour afterwards and hand wash them using a small amount of detergent in a sink full of water. Then I rinse them thoroughly and wring them, and either dry them on a radiator or, if it's during the summer, I peg them out on the washing line for a couple of hours. On a final note regarding looking after them properly when washing in a machine, I find the best way is only to wash at 40C, and if I have items in the wash with zips, like my skirts and jeans, make sure all zips are done up so the can't catch my tights and snag them. Also, if my bra is in the wash along with them too, then I make sure the bra is hooked together so that too cannot catch my tights. Anyway, hope this answers your question sufficiently Look forward to hearing from you again soon. Your friend, Sharon. xx

Hello Heidi (and Jane and Alexa), Glad to hear you had a good Halloween. I didn't get dressed up and go out, but I did have a nice evening. Your night sounded like a lot of fun. If I had been there, a light spray wouldn't have been enough for me. I'd have jumped right in that fountain with everything on LOL! The outfit you wore sounded nice. You and I certainly share an extremely similar dress sense Anyway, sorry this post is short and sweet; I'm sure to have another soaking later this week, and I'll be sure to share the experience with you. Sharon. xx

Hello there Heidi (and Jane and Alexa), Thank you for what you said, and you're very welcome. I can say with almost certainty that the hoodie would hold the most water in the fabric, followed closely by my knee-length boots, and then the 140 denier tights. I'll have to try that with all three items of clothing sometime in the near future. Maybe have a deep bath with them all on, and then pour the water from the boots into a large jug and make a note of the volume, then do the same with the tights, and then the hoodie, although I'm pretty sure the hoodie would win, as I know from experience that it does hold rather a lot. Anyway, sorry this is a bit of a short reply, but hope to hear from you again soon and hope you have a great weekend. Sharon. xx

Hello Heidi (and Jane and Alexa), Thanks for your reply Heidi. As for what you said about certain aspects of my outfit, yes, hoodies do soak up a lot of water, round about the same as any thick winter jumper would, and my 140 denier tights also hold a lot. I remember back in the summer climbing out of my pool in a similar outfit. I took off my boots and tights. There was an empty pint glass that I had on the table beside me. I wrung the tights out into the glass to see how much it would fill. I managed to squeeze enough water out of them to fill the glass by nearly three quarters! I thought it would be an interesting little experiment. I should have done the same thing with the boots to see how much they held. I'll have to try that one sometime. As for what you asked about if I was at that festival, I certainly wouldn't be taking any items of clothing off, as I enjoy the feeling of swimming fully clothed much more than only being partially clothed. Anyway, sorry my reply is a little late. I would've replied from work today, but I never had the chance as I was busy all day long. Look forward to hearing from you again soon. Sharon. xx

Hello Heidi (and Jane and Alexa), Heidi, with regards to your question about have I ever gone to the beach wearing tights, I can certainly say YES! Usually worn with tight denim shorts (almost like denim hot pants) over my tights and white leather trainers or black ballet pumps. I always go with the intention of at least filling my shoes up in the sea, but nine times out of ten I end up wading out until the water is above my waist and then just falling back into the water, floating on the gentle waves and swimming in my entire outfit Many times, I have actually planned an entire, specific outfit solely for the purpose of going swimming in it. When I'm back in the U.K., this is usually done at the beach near me, but when I'm home here, I use my pool for my fully-clothed swimming adventures or, during the winter months, my bath or shower. I see you mentioned to Alexa about the Moscow water festival. If I were to go to that, I'd be getting seriously dressed up just for the purpose of getting saturated right through to my underwear. I wouldn't be happy until there wasn't a dry fibre left on me anywhere. I would probably wear something along the lines of black full-length leather knee boots with a 2 or 3" block heel, black 140 Denier opaque tights with classic black cotton and lycra full-length leggings worn over them, some comfortable but probably somewhat fancy underwear set, a tight, fitted long-sleeved tee top with a cosy zip-through or hoodie-style jumper over that, and either my leather jacket or denim jacket to finish the outfit off. That being said, knowing me, just to draw even more attention to myself, I'd probably go in with a handbag as well After all, if you're going to do something like that it's always best to do it in style. Anyway, I'd best get on with work. All the thoughts and talk of getting soaked are making me want to rush home and slip into a nice deep bath in the skirt suit, opaque tights and heels that I'm wearing at the moment LOL! Hope to hear from you all again soon. Sharon. xx

Hi Jane (and Heidi and Alexa), First of all I'd just like to welcome Alexa back. I think we were all wondering where you'd got to. Anyway, it's good to hear from you again Jane, yeah, I've had times when I've had to shower off my feet with my tights on to warm them up after they've got soaked deliberately outdoors in deep puddles. I can imagine the temptation must have been extremely great. What were you wearing? Was it a skirt suit, like a pencil skirt with a matching blouse and jacket, opaque tights and court shoes? As for this weekend, I hope you do have a bath in your trainers with thick socks over your new opaque tights. I look forward to hearing all about that little adventure Alexa, hope that you take the chance and have that fully clothed shower with your partner some time soon. I'm sure that he'll be more than a little surprised. Anyway, nice to have everybody back together again here, hope you all have a lovely weekend and look forward to hearing from you all again soon. Love, Sharon. xx

Hello Heidi (and Jane and Alexa if reading), With regards to your question about putting on and taking off very tight jeans being easier when wearing tights, I can say with a hundred per cent certainty, yes. If I'm wearing skinny jeans or jeggings (denim-look jeans style leggings) I usually wear a pair of silky satin 40 or 50 Denier opaques, as this makes putting them on so much easier. Even aligning the seams on the inside legs of jeggings is a muich faster and more simple process than trying to do it on just bare legs I also find it much more comfortable, as like I may have said in a previous post, I'm so used to wearing tights for around the last 30 years that I just don't feel dressed without them, kind of like wearing a top and jumper, but not bothering to wear a bra. If I did that, I woldn't feel properly dressed on my top half either. As for your other question about when tights are wet, it certainly makes leggings and jeggings feel much more clingy, and therefore yes, they do feel kind of glued in place. As for the end of your last post, am I detecting that you're starting to have thoughts of finding out what it's like to have a shower with your skirt, double-layered tights, socks and knee boots on? If so, I highly recommend it I'm sure you'll enjoy the experience. Anyway, look forward to your reply. Sharon. xx

Hello again Heidi, Thanks for the lovely compliment on my dress sense In answer to your questions, yes, when I wear jeans I always wear tights under them, be it either with my skinny jeans or my tight, fitted but bootcut at the ankle ones. As for your other question regarding my leggings, yes, they are the classic footless full ankle-length cotton and lycra ones. What I tend to do is to put on a pair of my 140 Denier opaques (which obviously have feet) and then put the black leggings on over them, and finally put on a pair of either leather knee-length boots or my tan suede leather Ugg calf-length boots. I find it very comfortable, and much warmer than just leggings on their own, as the wind can't cut through them. As for your last question, yes, if I'm not wearing leggings over tights, and wearing a skirt instead, and it's a cold day, then I have often worn two pairs of tights together. If I'm wearing knee boots I don't wear the socks, but if I'm wearing my fur-lined Ugg boots then I often wear soft cotton ankle socks or thick, cosy slouch socks over my tights in them. Anyway, hope to hear from you soon. I'm off to pour myself a drink now and watch some TV. Sharon. xx

Hi Jane, Glad to hear you bought some thicker coloured opaques. What Denier are they, and are they of a nice quality with plenty of Lycra? With regards to your wet tan tights and ballet pumps, am I right in thinking that you went to work with them on and kept them on all day? If so, good on you I usually find that even in cold weather, if I go out with wet tights and shoes or boots on, my feet generally warm up in them in less than half an hour. I went out once back in the summer with wet trainers and wet tights on, and by the end of the day my tights were only a tad damp and my trainers must have been at least 90% dry! Well, must get on, look forward to hearing from you again soon. Sharon. xx

Hello Heidi (and Jane and Alexa), Heidi, it's nice to see you share my style of dress sense. As I've mentioned before, I live in opaque tights. I honestly cannot remember a day in at least the last five years (or more) that I didn't wear a pair. Like you, I also wear skirts the majority of the time, especially for work, usually slightly above the knee length, fairly tight pencil skirts with opaque tights and, usually, knee-length boots, or high-heeled courts if the weather is very warm. When I'm at home or on days off, I have found another very comfortable option is to wear a pair of opaque tights, and then put a pair of classic black cotton and lycra leggings on over them, with knee boots or my tan-coloured Ugg fur-lined calf boots, a fitted stretch tee top with a zip-through top, jumper or hoodie. The outfit is both practical and very comfy, and also very cosy and warm on these colder Autumn and, soon, Winter days to come Have you tried wearing leggings over your tights? I think it feels great, and it removes the necessity to wear socks in your boots, although you may want to wear socks over your tights, as I know you like plenty of padding if you wear high-heeled boots. Anyway, best get on, as once again I'm on here while I should be working. Hope you're all having a good week, and hope to hear from you again soon. Sharon. xx

Hi Jane, and Heidi and Alexa, Jane, yeah, I'd certainly recommend getting some red tights, or indeed any other colour like green, brown, grey, purple, royal blue etc., as it is a lot of fun getting all these various different colours wet I can totally relate to what you said about your ballet pumps. I love the way they fill up with water so quickly and easily. I've deliberately worn mine for walks out in the rain to see how many puddles I can walk through and how many times I can repeatedly fill my shoes in one walk I usually tend to wear thick tights with them, as they hold plenty of water, not to mention that lovely squishy, squelchy noise my feet make when wearing them Anyway, hope you've had a nice weekend and look forward to hearing from you again soon. Sharon. xx

Hello Heidi, and Jane and Alexa,

Heidi, thanks for complimenting me on my dress sense and the the type of outfits I like to wear.

Yeah, you're certainly right about the two different looks between wet and dry. For example, a few months back in the summer, I went in my pool wearing black four-inch-heel leather court shoes with deep-red 140 Denier opaque tights and a light beige skirt suit. I was also wearing a fairly dark red satin blouse. When I came out of the water, my tights were a kind of crimson colour (almost like red wine coloured) and my skirt and jacket looked more like brown than beige. The dark red blouse looked nearly black!

As for my female friends, they like me wearing opaque tights as, being 5'10" and very slim, I'm very leggy, so tights really emphasise my legs As for stockings, I don't really care for them too much, as it seems their only real purpose is to please men (obviously I'm not looking to do that) LOL. Also, they don't really have any practical use, as they're always sheer, never more than 20 Denier, they're expensive and they ladder really easily! Also, I would always feel like I'm missing something, as I'm used to the feel of my tights being over my panties and up to my waistline.

Anyway, hope you're having a nice weekend, and look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Sharon. xx

Hello Heidi (and Jane and Alexa too), Heidi, thanks for what you said regarding my orientation It's good that in this day and age people are so open and understanding about these things. As for my other female friends, they're always complimenting me on my fashion and dress sense, although they are often amazed at how I can wear 100+ Denier opaque tights with knee-length boots even in the height of summer, when temperatures are typically around 25C. To be honest, it even surprises me. I think my body has just become accustomed to having the tights on, and therefore I must automatically adjust my body temperature accordingly, as I've never got too hot and had to take them off halfway through the day. My feet do often get rather hot in the boots, but that's nothing a little cool water poured inside my boots can't fix Anyway, must get on, as I'm at work and I should really be doing some actual work LOL Hope to hear from you again soon. Sharon. xx

Hi Jane (and Heidi and Alexa), Thanks Jane for what you said about it not affecting our friendship in any way. That means a lot to me As for walking into the shower at your gym wearing heels, sounds like a fun thing to do. If anyone asks, you could say they were so comfortable you forgot to take them off!! LOL Anyway, sorry this post is short and sweet. Hope to hear from you all again soon. Sharon. xx

Hello Heidi (and Alexa and Jane if you're reading),

Yeah, I should be here next year so I'll definitely check it out next time around.

With regards to your question about the bubble bath or shower gel when rubbing it into my wet clothes, yes, the scent of whatever I use does make the clothes, and even my boots if I'm wearing Ugg-style fur-lined suede ones, smell the same. However, it doesn't last, for once I've taken them off the whole outfit goes in the washing machine, after which it just comes out smelling freshly-laundered As for my bf liking this, that would be a little difficult as I have a gf. I'm bisexual, but tend to lean more towards other women. I wasn't sure if I'd mentioned this to you before, but anyway, now you know Hope this revelation doesn't change our friendship.

Anyway, hope you're having a lovely weekend, and hope to hear from you again soon.

Sharon. xx

Hello Heidi (and Alexa and Jane), Heidi, I'm living and working in Germany, but I'm originally from England, U.K. I haven't been here long, and therefore I'm not yet familiar with where lots of places in Germany are. I'm in Au Haidhausen, south east central Munich. Anyway, as for your questions to me regarding bubble bath and shower gel, yes, I have used bubble bath in the past, but not often these days as I like to see my clothes under the water when I have a bath. As for when I'm having a shower, yes, I have frequently rubbed shower gel and/or shampoo into my wet clothes to get them all lathery and bubbly. I then shower it all off before undressing and rinsing myself off properly. As for your question about "do wet boots and tights keep my feet and legs warm, yes. If I go into cold water, like an unheated pool or a lake, it's obviously cold to start with, but my feet and legs warm up literally within five minutes of exiting the water. Even wind doesn't get through my thick wet tights. Any water left in my boots or shoes doesn't take long to warm up either, due to my body warmth. Anway, lovely to hear from you, and hope to hear form you again soon. Sharon. xx

Hello Heidi, and Alexa and Jane. Heidi, yes I like to swim with all different kinds of outfits, shoes or boots. Sometimes smart expensive clothes, other times sporty, casual, smart-casual etc. I love the way different clothes and shoes feel to swim in As for showering, after a swim, I go indoors and have a warm shower still fully clothed and with my boots or shoes on, then when ive washed my hair, I get undressed with the shower still running. After im done, I get dressed into clean dry clothes, and put my wet outfit in the washing machine. Yes, it does feel nice putting on clean dry undies, tights, skirt or leggings, tops after a swim, and clothed shower Anyway, great to hear from you as always. Look forward to your next reply. Sharon. xx

Hi Alexa, jane & Heidi, Wow Alexa, sounds like you had fun I love totally filling my wellies. Such a lovely feeling! Do you ever do it with thick socks for extra squishyness, or always just bear feet in your wellies? Must have felt great getting in that water tank. I would have ducked down and completly soaked my bra and top(s) and then worn the whole outfit wet until it dried on me Anyway, hope you get a few more chances for a soaking before the warm weather breaks. Look forward to hearing from you soon. Sharon. xx

Hello Heidi, Jane and Alexa, Heidi, I know what you mean with being busy. I've had a hectic week myself. I did however take advantage of this abnormally warm weather on Friday and go for a fully clothed swim in my work clothes after work I ran down the garden and jumped in the deep end of the pool wearing a pair of 3.5'' chunky heel black leather knee boots, 140den navy blue opaque tights, cream satin blouse with a navy blue pencil skirt and jacket. Oh and a satin bra and panty set It was very refreshing, and felt fantastic! Anyway, hope to hear from you all again soon. Enjoy the weekend. Sharon. xx

Hello Heidi, Jane and Alexa, Heidi, did your trainers get so wet that you could pour water out of them? Were you wearing just socks, or tights, or both? Did your feet squelch in them when you walked? As for using my hair dryer on my wet shoes and boots, I tend not to need it, as soaking wet trainers can be put on a cool tumble dry cycle and are bone dry within just two hours. With my leather knee boots, fur-lined Ugg boots, courts and pumps, I just put them on the tops of my radiators and they're completely dry by the next day Jane, the skirt you wore sounds quite nice, and the thick socks you have in preparation definitely sound worthy of a soaking. I'd still recommend wearing them over a pair of opaque tights though. By the way, the word 'apologist' is a real word (as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary). With regards to the warm weather, the weather here in southern Germany is also very good at the moment for this time of year, so it looks like a few more fully-clothed swims in my outdoor pool this week. I usually have the pool drained, cleaned and covered on October 1st, but if the warm weather keeps up I may move that date back another week to make the most of it. After that, there'll be no more fully-clothed swims until at least April 1st next year. Anyway, hope you're all well, and loook forward to hearing from you all again soon. Sharon. xx PS Jane, thanks for the p.m, and hope to hear from you there soon.