Nothing but Seamed Stockings

[Mary]

Thanks! I'll try that!

and LadyDay's homepage is so much fun. I didn't know of it!

M

 

[retrogirl1941]

Seamed Fishnet stockings?

Ok I have seen reference's that prove that fishnet stockings were around in the 1930's and 1940's. BUt I was under the influence that they were for so called"bad girls, loose women, and the like". This said I wear them when I play a "loose women" and people get the message. Were they really for loose women or is that just a myth?

Samantha

 

[dani]

on the suspender belts, i noticed there are different amounts of straps. like 4,6,8,10 ect. is it better to have more straps?

 

[Smuterella]

I find 4 OK, 6 better

Anything more than 8 really gets into fetish territory, a nice place to be but not practical for everyday wear

 

[alexandra]

I think it also depends on how big your legs are on what's most effective.

 

[KittyT]

6 is definitely better than 4, though if it's a girdle, 4 will usually do the job. I think more than 8 would be very cumbersome. I have seen garter belts online with up to 24 garters. What I'd like to know is how the hell you even fit 12 to a leg!

This has 24 garters and is just RIDICULOUS!

 

[Lady Day]

Ok I have seen reference's that prove that fishnet stockings were around in the 1930's and 1940's. BUt I was under the influence that they were for so called"bad girls, loose women, and the like". This said I wear them when I play a "loose women" and people get the message. Were they really for loose women or is that just a myth?

Samantha

Fishnets had quite a conservative reputation in the 30s and 40s. Its recent that they were considered risque'. You can have nude ones, and also some in many colors. Near the begining of this thread, there is a lot of info on them, and how to get the look in this modern time. I wear them with fitted skirts, generally with oxfords, and with nothing above the knee.

LD

 

[Decobelle]

Ok I have seen reference's that prove that fishnet stockings were around in the 1930's and 1940's. BUt I was under the influence that they were for so called"bad girls, loose women, and the like". This said I wear them when I play a "loose women" and people get the message. Were they really for loose women or is that just a myth?

Samantha

Samantha, I have seen fishnet stockings featured on “respectable” women in my collection of 1939-1942 Vogues and Harper’s Bazaars. I don’t recall seeing black, but certainly neutral or nude tones and I have seen refernces in text to colored ones. They call them mesh or net stockings. I’ll scan a few examples. I am always a little leery when an “expert” tells me that “they never wore” this or that in the 40s… I say the 40s was a long decade and trends came and went. I sometimes feel like I need to carry copies of these fashion mags with me to defend myself against challenges of that kind.

This one is from Vogue May 15, 1939, an article on correct shoe and stocking pairings. #3 says: "For all types of street sandals, try mesh stockings that won't run." The shoe shown in this illustration is a "navy-blue and red canvas sports shoe with Dutch heel by Hood"

This one is from Bazaar, January 1942. For resport or vacation wear, mesh stockings in "California colors" to match your Joyce playshoes (No one was suggesting these be worn in Town but was a fun summer casual look).

You'll like this one! Also from Bazaar January 1942, English lisle "Victory mesh" stockings for day wear.

While on the subject of different kinds of stockings, I’ll also mention the trend toward the summer of 1941 continuing into early 1942 at least from what I can tell, of wearing colored stockings, including black.

From Vogue, June 1, 1941. Again, not for formal city wear, but a fun resort or country look.

The text of the colored stockings picture says (note the refernce to colored wool stockings as well): A scene you’ve never seen before this summer. Three pairs of pretty legs knee-deep in color. Three pairs of bright silk stockings- the gayest new idea for the country. Just as you’ve worn wool stockings for skiing, golf, or active sports, now you’ll have the fun of wearing bright silk stockings for spectator sports, garden parties, Sunday luncheons. They’re dramatic, and they take wearing. They’re happiest with white dresses or prints predominantly white. With white shoes or shoes to match. And with, need we say, pretty legs. All shoes and McCallum stockings: Saks-Fifth Avenue.

Here is an interesting related article I came across in Harper’s Bazaar, June 1941, about this growing trend. The colored stockings are all over Vogue & Bazaar during that time period. Note the reference also to seamless stockings.

After Twenty Years – The Great Stocking Revolution
What’s happening in stockings is not a passing whim – it’s a basic change that will affect the design of shoes, the cut of skirts, in some instances shift the emphasis of the whole silhouette... it’s a revolution. A little over twenty years ago there was an earlier revolution: the skin-colored stocking appeared, and the first women to adopt it were considered daring – indeed, a little questionable. But not for long. The old heavy black silk stockings, the white silk for summer, the milky evening pinks, all went into the ash can. …The old order changeth. The nude stocking, sheerer than ever, nuder than ever, sometimes seamless to complete the illusion, has become a classic – flattering and lovely, but no more daring than the bare leg itself, long rampant on summer’s beaches. So, for that kick the nude had once, we turn to BLACK STOCKINGS, like the filmy Tabarins above – made of Nylon, sheer as smoke, very cancan, very exciting… Not to wear with froufrou cheesecake costumes, but with your most elegant blacks; your feet shod in slim, classic pumps – calf or suede by day, satin by night. Or wear black suede walking oxfords, laced with patent leather. We love COLORED STOCKINGS – in mood exactly opposite diaphanous black. Made of lisle, like those on the opposite page, or of wool, they are always ribbed or patterned to give them body. They are peasanty, sturdy to wear now with course linen skirts and black espadrilles…in the autumn, with tweeds…in winter with your fur coat – the green with nutria, the violet with black Persian, for instance; your shoes: black brogues, or black brouged Scottish pumps with silver buckles…And open your mind to sheer colored silk stockings. Before long you’ll begin to think they look wonderful, worn with your severest black crepe evening dress with thick-soled black satin sandals.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Did you ladies see this post? http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=29517

A London law firm banned fishnets! I really want to get a convo started so click the link!

 

[LizzieMaine]

Samantha, I have seen fishnet stockings featured on “respectable” women in my collection of 1939-1942 Vogues and Harper’s Bazaars. I don’t recall seeing black, but certainly neutral or nude tones and I have seen refernces in text to colored ones. They call them mesh or net stockings. I’ll scan a few examples. I am always a little leery when an “expert” tells me that “they never wore” this or that in the 40s… I say the 40s was a long decade and trends came and went. I sometimes feel like I need to carry copies of these fashion mags with me to defend myself against challenges of that kind.

I've owned a few pairs of 40s-vintage mesh stockings -- but the weave was quite different from what folks tend to think of as "fishnets" today. It was a lot smaller -- often labeled "pin point mesh" -- for one thing, and tended to be double or triple woven. The effect was more like looking thru a fine screen than thru a big bold net. These became quite popular in the years just before the war because they lasted forever -- because of the weave they couldn't run, and if you kept them from snagging or wearing out at the toes, they could last indefinately.

So yes, mesh stockings can be quite period appropriate. But they were quite inconspicuous compared to the bold fishnets of today.

 

[Decobelle]

I've seen those, but never in my size. I think they're neat. I owned some vintage black fishnets that were definately postwar (probably 50s) that had the large weave like we see today, but whatever they were made of, were extremely heavy - I think I could actually have gone down to the river and caught a fish in them. These were clearly for theatrical use not street wear- I bought them at a former theatre company costume sale. I did were them in the daytime a few times as a teenager, and parents would pull their small children a little closer as I passed by.

 

[BeBopBaby]

You'll like this one! Also from Bazaar January 1942, English lisle "Victory mesh" stockings for day wear.

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I have a U.S. wartime knitting book that has a pattern to knit "victory stockings" in it as well. They are a knit mesh/fishnet design.

 

[JazzBaby]

Today was one of those magical shopping days when I found everything I was looking for! After scouring a local department store for hours (one that's been around since the 40's and should certainly have such items in stock! ) for a pair of seamed stockings, I accidentally stumbled across them in Debenhams :eusa_doh: I'm sure this particular brand has been mentioned already in this thread: they're Pretty Polly Vintage Nylon Stockings. I think my jaw hit the floor when I noticed them, I really wasn't expecting such a perfect find! And they were only €6! I believe I floated home... lol

 

[GwenLake]

I have a U.S. wartime knitting book that has a pattern to knit "victory stockings" in it as well. They are a knit mesh/fishnet design.

Sorta like these?

 

[retrogirl1941]

Thank you ladys for responding! I guess I was'nt wearing them with the correct garments(runs to mark this down for future occasions). HHmmmm... some of my friends are going to love you ladyslol , they think I was crazy for using these in my impressions.Another point to ponder, maybe would this be a trend back then that only the fashion foward would have tried or even the brazen(loose women)? Just a point to ponder! And what colors weer mentioned in those ads? I could'nt get that close to read them.

Samantha

 

[lillielil]

What's the verdict on fully fashioned stockings for larger legs? I'd love to get some, but worried that my 16" calf and 26.5" thigh won't fit. My thighs are as big as some people's waists, for crying out loud! Are they sized by actual measurements?

 

[KittyT]

What's the verdict on fully fashioned stockings for larger legs? I'd love to get some, but worried that my 16" calf and 26.5" thigh won't fit. My thighs are as big as some people's waists, for crying out loud! Are they sized by actual measurements?

Lillielil, welcome to the Lounge!

FF stockings are sized by foot length and width, and stocking length. Stockings are available in outsizes for larger women. I don't know a whole lot about this, though I know some Lounge Ladies (like Lady Day) have provided a lot of great information about larger-sized stockings throughout the course of this thread. I know it's long, but you might want to try reading back to see what you can find. There's tons of information that's already been provided here!

Check out the sizing chart at http://www.stockingshowcase.com/sizing.asp. It doesn't provide thigh measurements, but it will give you an idea of what size you need to start looking for.

 

[lillielil]

Lillielil, welcome to the Lounge!

FF stockings are sized by foot length and width, and stocking length. Stockings are available in outsizes for larger women. I don't know a whole lot about this, though I know some Lounge Ladies (like Lady Day) have provided a lot of great information about larger-sized stockings throughout the course of this thread. I know it's long, but you might want to try reading back to see what you can find. There's tons of information that's already been provided here!

Check out the sizing chart at http://www.stockingshowcase.com/sizing.asp. It doesn't provide thigh measurements, but it will give you an idea of what size you need to start looking for.

Thanks, KittyT! I read through most of the thread, but I must have missed that bit.

 

[Lady Day]

Outsizing, is the term used for larger FF stockings. The cut is wider at the welt for 'the ample leg'. They have no standard as to how wide they can get, but generally start out at about a 15" welt.

They are ridiculously hard to find, mostly because most plus size wear was mail order and therefore made in smaller quantity, and if you a plus size gal, about the only stocking you can wear thats 100% nylon.

Stockingstore has some, and they are fantastic and done in the original tradition., but at $50 a pop, they can keep them.

Stockingshowcase sometimes has some vintage ones, but they tend to run a bit small and are in scare supply.

Your best bet is eBay. But MAKE SURE they say Outsize (on the packaging or the welt, NOT by the seller), or ask for the welt measurement (remember at least 7.1/2" lying flat). Then just buy in or at most half a size above your shoe size.

Good luck!

LD

 

[Mary]

Wow! Those mesh stockings are beautiful. Looks so sofisticated. I have to hunt some down.

M