Southern Diva

Former First Lady, Michelle Obama, is currently on a press tour promoting her latest book, The Look, which chronicles her most notable fashion moments while she served her two terms as First Lady of the United States. Black female presentation has always been political and under a microscope and Mrs. Obama definitely received her fair share while in her high profile position. At a stop at the People’s Inc. headquarters in New York City, she mentioned how she was glad pantyhose “are not a thing” and it took me back to my own journey of unpacking my issues with modest presentation having been born and raised in the South.

I grew up in Georgia, and was raised by my mother, who was also raised in the south, in northern Florida. My mother grew up in a religious household and she raised me similarly, but wasn’t super strict. She was however, big on presentation, especially when it came to church. Covering legs, arms, and wearing non figure hugging dresses were the norm. While I now understand she was protecting a young girl entering young adulthood the best she knew how, I resented that so much about how I was taught to present myself was centered around the gaze of others, especially the male gaze with few lessons on personal autonomy. For whatever reason, tights, then pantyhose, were a big deal. I didn’t care for them. They always snagged, they made my skin itch, and since I favored the flesh tone variety, why did I even have to wear them when they looked liked my legs anyway?

As I got older, I moved away from stockings for about a decade with the few exceptions of wearing them to funerals and other special occasions. I wore fashion tights, but swore against pantyhose. It wasn’t until I really interrogated why I didn’t like hosiery and it all had to do with it being tied to modesty presentation and the gaze of others. Once I decided I was going to present myself to the world in a manner that I was comfortable with above all else, I slowly incorporated them back into my wardrobe. I still don’t reach for them often, but I always loved the aesthetic of a mini dress or skirt and black sheer stockings. It’s so 90’s chic a la Whitley Gilbert, Hilary Banks*, Regine Hunter and the rest of the 90’s baddies.

Image Credit: WarnerBros.com

• Rest in Peace Malcom-Jamal Warner.