After writing all those Nylon Dungeon stories, I suppose I'd be remiss if I didn't chime in on this one...
QB, it doesn't seem to me that mabus was suggesting that pantyhose are comfortable or relaxing to wear, just that he likes the way they look. Pantyhose are "dress-up" clothes, and we all learned at the age of five that dressing up in our Sunday best is usually No Fun. I wear a tie to work every day, but God knows not because it's comfortable. (You suggested wearing long underwear on a hot day - for the equivalent experience of being a guy, on the same hot day button up a shirt with a really starchy collar, wrap a scarf tightly around your neck, and go to work for the whole day like that.) Pantyhose, neckties, jackets, high heels, wingtips, all that stuff falls in the category of Clothes You Don't Want to Wear on Your Day Off But that You Wear Because That's What Looks Nice, or So Mom Always Said.
As far as office rules, the business casual thing started in the 90s because men were trying to get away from neckties, and women from pantyhose and heels. The idea was supposed to be that you didn't wear the really uncomfortable stuff, but still came to work looking decent. Unfortunately, so many people are slobs out there that companies are now starting to re-evaluate the whole business casual thing. Amazing to think how many people out there can't figure out how to dress for a job, but there you have it.
I can't speak for anyone but myself, but dedicated nylon-foot-fetishist that I am, I'm happy as a little clam when I get a peek at a woman wearing knee-highs, which you're not going to convince me are any worse than wearing socks. (Hey, come on; throw us nylon-stocking guys a BONE once in a while, will ya ladies?)
On that note, special thanks to evilqueen, Maria Rose and siamese for the insider's note. Always fun to have your suspicions confirmed...🙂