Men wear Pantyhose. According to the Wall Street Journal, quite a few men--and NOT cross-dressing men--have taken to wearing pantyhose for warmth, comfort, and the compression they offer that can help circulatory problems or varicose veins. Once they don their slacks, no one can tell. "I don't broadcast what I wear under my pants," Steve Newman, an Ohio engineering-firm manager who wears L'eggs Sheer Energy Active Support, told the WSJ. No one really knows how many pairs of pantyhose are sold to men since cashiers don't record the gender of the buyer. But online sales indicate there is an "authentic niche" market, reports the WSJ. One tip-off: Men would need extra extra large sizes.
One company has already responded: G. Lieberman & Sons is an online company that sells pantyhose exclusively for men. The product is called Comfilon. "There's a whole underground culture of normal, mainstream guys who wear hose," says Chief Executive Steve Katz. At least the company has a sense of humor about it all. It's motto? "Comfilons are not your mother's pantyhose." Who should wear pantyhose? Men who work outside may find pantyhose keeps them warm without the bulk of thermal underwear, as well as men who must stand for long periods since pantyhose can reduce leg pain, swelling, and fatigue. Even those who fly over long distances could benefit, since the tight-fitting hose would help prevent blood clots in their legs.