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As I have ventured further and further into the vintage world, the subject of hosiery has come up. Looking at different blogs, I've learned quite a bit. (Check here for a great post on the history of stockings.) I'll summarize it for the other newbs like me who didn't realize this seemingly obvious stuff:
- Tights/pantyhose are the things that go all the way up to your waist and are one piece (invented in the late 50s). Stockings are the knee- or thigh-high long sock-looking things that come in pairs (around for a VERY long time). (This seems obvious, I know, but I didn't always put two and two together and don't want to assume!)
- Fully fashioned stockings are the older kind. This means the stockings were knitted flat and sewn together on the back, making the seam line. Some modern stockings have seam lines on them, but they're just for decoration and don't come from the actual process of putting the stocking together.
- Way back, stockings were made with wool, silk, or cotton. In the early 1900s they began to be made with rayon, then nylon just before WWII.
- You have to be careful with older stockings. Stretchiness is a pretty modern aspect of stockings, and the old ones are bound to rip if one bends too much.
- Many vintage kinds of stockings don't have elastic in them (like modern stockings). They were held up with garters, garter belts or hooks attacking to girdles or corsets.
- Size is extremely important when looking into buying older stockings (fully fashioned ones). Look for foot size, width, and length.
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Those of you that are more experienced in the vintage hosiery world, what kind of tips can you give to us just getting into it? Do you prefer fully fashioned or stockings with just-for-looks seams? Where are some of your favorite places to get hosiery? Is it an adjustment getting used to vintage hosiery? Any horror stories or tips you can share to spare us any awkwardness?
Thanks for your help!
I love a nude stocking with nude seam for a more authentic look but I do prefer a modern stocking. That stretch is much needed for girls like me with chunky thighs! I found some super cheap seamed stockings here. I've bought 3 pairs and love them!! http://www.stockingstore.com/isabella-cuban-heel-stocking-p/is2520.htm
ReplyDeleteThat sight IS super cheap, but the stockings look great! I'll probably be getting a few pairs of these quite soon....
DeleteFor everyday wear I wear new What Katie Did contrast seam and heel stockings. They have a nice WOW factor about them because the seam is so stark, plus they are more comfortable for the most part because of the stretchiness. For special occasions and photoshoots I will wear a pair of vintage fully-fashioned nude/nude seam stockings. I haven't bought a pair of new fully-fashioned stockings yet because I really can't bring myself to dish out that kind of moo-la yet.
ReplyDeleteRegarding adjustment, I found stockings to be much more comfortable than tights or pantyhose for the most part. My only complaints would be going to the bathroom and sitting for long periods of time. If you wear a girdle with stockings, going to the bathroom can take awhile longer, since your girdle has to come down too often - especially if it is a girdle with boning. If you wear a garter belt, you can simply undo the garters. Or you can wear your panties over the belt. Additionally, sitting for long periods of time can be annoying if your belt or girdle has back garters, it can feel like you're sitting on two pebbles. Regarding horror stories or awkwardness, mine really only stem from flying. Garters show up on body scanners, and when you have an anomaly on a body scan you get a partial or full body pat down. And, yeah, I know from experience. So sometimes when I fly I opt for the seamed pantyhose.
xoxo
-Janey
Wow, I had not even considered airports! That's a good thing to know, for sure! Thanks for all the other advice, too! I feel more ready to tackle the hosiery area. :)
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