From various sources, here are comments applying to women AND men: Wearing support pantyhose is great for leg health, improving circulation, and reduction of leg pain, swelling,and discomfort. Sheer pantyhose that match the skin color of the legs can enhance the appearance of legs, making them look smoother. Darker pantyhose can enhance the legs by outlining the shape and by making the legs seem slimmer. Brown colored pantyhose give the illusion of tan legs; an 'instant tan'. Pantyhose also has a practical use, as it can provide warmth in colder weather and let one appear "bare-legged" even in the winter. Pantyhose that are knitted with lycra enhance blood circulation by applying even pressure on the legs throughout the day. What distinguishes tights from pantyhose: The former is made up of heavier material as compared to the latter. Another characteristic of tights is that it is worn to be seen unlike pantyhose, which is generally made to blend with the person’s skin tone. There are special tights that have been developed and claimed to render positive effects to the legs especially to those athletes or ordinary people that are into sports. Tights are recommended to those office workers that are constantly standing that may cause serious fatigue to their lower body. For women, some tights have been designed to reduce or prevent the occurrence of varicose veins. Tights are useful for those involved in the arts or in dancing as it is a vital wardrobe piece. "Mantyhose" website says: men claim they wear the hosiery for support, comfort and aesthetic purposes. Compression legwear (tights) can help knee problems. Tights are not as healthy as stockings. Air does not flow as freely as nature intended. That can lead to genital problems. AND HERE'S THE OTHER SIDE (DISADVANTAGES): Disadvantages of pantyhose Pantyhose present a number of health risks. Unlike cotton, nylon is not an absorbent material. As a result, perspiration from the wearer's feet is more likely to remain in contact with the feet, which may feel unpleasant, unless the wearer choses a hosiery product which has silver in it. The silver helps to prevent odour and sweating of the feet, thus making the wearing of hosiery a more pleasant experience. Wearing natural fibre silk stockings and tights is another means of reducing perspiration and keeping the feet feeling fresh all day. Because pantyhose are tight (and thereby cause pressure on the urethra), and non-absorbant, they have been implicated as a contributing factor in urinary tract infections. Because of the risk of complications from UTIs, women who are prone to infections of the urinary tract, or who are pregnant, are often advised not to wear pantyhose. Like nylon underwear and other synthetic materials, pantyhose trap bacteria and increase temperature in the genital area, and so can be the proximate cause or a contributing factor in the development of yeast infections (candidiasis) in wearers. Women who have experienced a yeast infection are counseled to wear undergarments of cotton or other natural fibers, and to avoid wearing synthetic undergarments. The occurrance of bacterial vaginosis has also been linked to the wearing of pantyhose, among other causes. Bacterial vaginosis can result in complications for pregnant women and has been associated with an increase in the development of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) following surgical procedures such as a hysterectomy. It is not unusual for people dressed in layers of synthetic clothing to suffer from heat exhaustion in warm environments or while exercising or working. Because pantyhose raise the temperature of the body, the elderly, menopausal women, and other wearers who have difficulties regulating body temperature (because of underlying issues such as thyroid malfunctions) may find the garment unbearably warm. The warm, moist environment created by nylon pantyhose is also a predictive factor in the development of fungal infections of the skin of susceptible wearers, particularly in the feet, abdomen and genital areas. Preexisting fungal and allergic conditions, including eczema, athlete's foot, hives and rashes are exacerbated by the wearing of pantyhose. For people who are either very large or very thin, pantyhose can be extremely uncomfortable and unflattering. The feel of pantyhose on large-sized women has been compared to the feeling of wearing a sausage casing, and pantyhose have been critized for having a tendency to sag at the ankles, be too short to reach the waist, or roll down from the waist after a few hours of wear. Some people refuse to wear pantyhose for ethical or economic reasons. Though they cost anywhere from US$5 to US$250 per pair, pantyhose can rarely survive more than three wearings without tearing or laddering. They cannot be recycled, and are not biodegradable. Disposing of the item contributes to landfill; burning them releases toxins into the environment. Pantyhose are criticized for being flimsy. The nylon fabric of pantyhose is extremely prone to 'runs' (laddering in the UK). The wearer can cause a run in the hose by even such simple movements as catching the toenail of her big toe in the fabric when the hose is put on, by catching it on a rough desk, car, and by numerous other risks. Some women use clear nail polish to prevent runs from growing. Pantyhose are also increasingly unfashionable. Since 1995 pantyhose sales have declined by about 70 percent, though there are more women in the workplace than at any time in history, and despite the fact that an increasing number of men are purchasing and wearing pantyhose. Men and pantyhose Main article: Pantyhose for men While traditionally considered a women's garment, pantyhose are occasionally worn by men for thermal protection and therapeutic relief. It is not widely known either that race horse jockeys also wear pantyhose under their silks so that their jockey silks glide freely over the legs and waist when the jockey's body moves at a rapid pace. Some fishermen who surf fish from the beaches may also wear pantyhose. This is for protection in tropical waters that have marine stingers and jellyfish. The stingers cannot pentrate the pantyhose, thus protecting the fisherman. In the late 1990s several small manufacturers introduced pantyhose styles designed for men to cater to this niche market. Crime applications Pantyhose are an occasional choice for criminals (such as bank robbers) who wish to hide their identity. When worn over the head, pantyhose make the face difficult to identify but still allow the wearer to see fairly clearly. A satirical experiment about pantyhose masks as a fashion statement in public was performed by The Chaser's War on Everything.