Good-bye to pantyhose?

Yes, women are buying less pantyhose than they did a decade ago, according to an article by The Associated Press. Hanesbrands, the nation's leading seller of women's sheer hosiery, says it continues to work on product innovations and is trying to take advantage of current fashion trends, but says there is little that can be done aobut a decade-long decline until fashion trends change.

I don't have much experience in this, of course. But I do know that as ties fade from the workplace, I feel a bit vindicated. I usually wears ties under duress. I hate those things. And women apparently feel the same about pantyhose. Women over age 40 are the biggest buyers of pantyhose. That seems to be the same around town for ties, especially among people who do not consider themselves executives or management.

It's been a while since I wore at tie to work. I'll wear one when necessary. If George Bush and John Kerry prefer the open-collar blue Oxford shirt, who am I to argue?