Smoov's early experiences with tights

by Smoov

Here we have an article from a new contributor, Smoov, who has been kind enough to comment here in the past. I enjoyed reading it and I think you will too. Thank you for sharing this with us.

I first became aware of tights when I was very young - 5 maybe. I used to wear my older sister's ribbed tights quite openly around the house. Nothing was ever said to me at that time, which strikes me as quite strange now, because as I grew up I realised how repressed and straight and 'proper' my parents were. I guess they thought I'd grow out of it, and that it had something to do with my liking for Batman, Superman et al. After a while I stopped wearing and probably didn't for a couple of years. I distinctly remember trying them on again in my room and then finding that although I wanted to leave my room as I used to, something was stopping me. It felt 'wrong' for the first time. So, as most other male wearers have done, I began to wear in secret. I soon graduated to nylon tights, out of the laundry cupboard, and especially used to like to wear more than one pair at a time.

The teenage years were especially intense for me. Going to school and being surrounded by girls in short skirts and tights kept me on the boil most of the time. Back then, it was sexual, no question. It didn't help that I was, probably not suprisingly, as repressed as my folks as well. I remember the school play came around and, yes, you've guessed, there were scenes that required all cast members to wear black tights. I wanted to be in that play SO badly, but I just couldn't make myself step forward. 

I knew that my sister knew, and she had an annoying habit of going out with new girlfriends of mine for a 'girly night out' and spilling the beans. None of them ever brought it up directly, but little things they said or did after this night out left me in no doubt. Not one of them seemed to care though. It never caused a problem.

As I got older though I found that I would go for long periods of time without wearing - years, in fact. Although I remember having the usual guilt trips about tights and throwing my collection in the dustbin (carefully bagged up, mind), I'm not sure that I ever gave up directly because of feelings of guilt. I just seemed to lose interest.

Wearing tights has, for quite a long time now, become something I can take or leave (although my interest and support for the movement for male fashion freedom is as keen as ever) and when I do wear, it's not at all sexual - purely sensual.

I have worn natural shades in public a few times, with shorts, and can identify with others who say they soon graduated from feeling very paranoid at first to slightly disappointed when they didn't get some kind of reaction. In fact, I wish it'd been more of a thrill than it was, but it was fun. I buy openly from stores too. It really is no big deal these days.

One adverse reaction I did get was from my own mother when she turned up a few years ago when I was out and decided to do tidy up and do my washing for me. She knew I wasn't seeing anyone at the time and asked whose tights were in my laundry, so I told her. Unfortunately she didn't take it well. She'd forgotten the 'Batman' years apparently, and even managed to forget the last 20+ years of being introduced to one girlfriend after another, and asked me that favourite question of the uninformed...'Are you gay?'. Sheesh! I'd have thought she'd have known better, but I guess I rocked her staid little world for a while, and I have to say that for a few days nothing was said between us. They were fine again soon after, but I would warn anyone thinking of 'coming out' to their family that things might be a little tricky for a while if your family is anything like mine. You shouldn't have to hide such a harmless thing from your family though, and I would encourage anyone who is thinking of 'coming out' to do so proudly, preferably before you get rumbled! 

While society may still largely disagree, I just don't see tights as 'women only' apparel now, or wearing them as 'cross-dressing'. To me they are purely a nylon/lycra based garment that feels quite nice to wear, which is probably why I don't get that excited about them these days. They're just another thing in my bedside cabinet, mingling quite sociably with the socks. For those that think they are something more, that's great - enjoy, but I would like to see the day that they are an accepted unisex garment. There are those that doubt that day will ever come, but just think how certain taboos are breaking down already - male body hair removal as a case in point. I keep my legs shaved these days regardless of whether I'm wearing or not. I just prefer it that way, and no-one bats an eyelid.

Keep the faith. Hosiery for all will come, and if you can't wait, don't. People really do not seem to notice anyway.