The short answer is that all stockings used to be knitted flat and the seam was added to hold the stocking together. Seamed stockings are the perfect finishing touch to a 1950s style outfit, after all, nobody would be seen without a seamed nylon clad leg during that decade.
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When did seamed stockings start?
As stockings became more sheer (and more visible under short skirts) in the Nineteen Twenties, women became aware of the way the vertical seam up the back created a slenderizing line on their legs. Gordon Hosiery ads from Delineator, Nov. 1928 through May 1929.
Why is there a line on pantyhose?
Naturally, nylon stocking production took a backseat. What took its place was pure, ingenious innovation as women began to draw black lines down their legs to create the illusion of back seams.
What are stockings called with a line up the back?
Hold-ups or stay-ups (in the United States also referred to as thigh-high stockings or simply thigh highs) are stockings with an elasticized band at the top, designed to hold the stockings up when worn, without the use of a garter belt or garters (British English: suspenders).
How were stockings made in the 1800s?
Until the late 40s, stockings were made with the seam running up the back of the leg and only came in a small variety of nude shades. Unfortunately, they still had to be held up by a girdle or a garter belt.
Are stockings 2022 in style?
In 2022, statement tights are set to be a major trend once again.
Did nylon stockings have seams?
(From “Stockings with seams” online, Mar. 2, 2017) Nylon fabric was also used in making parachutes. For a woman, to be properly dressed included having straight seams in nylons.
Do ladies wear hose anymore?
This fall into disrepute has probably been hastened by the pandemic, since pantyhose are not exactly a necessary part of one’s wardrobe when working from home. And indeed, even before remote work became a reality for many of us, most offices had abandoned the requirement (spoken or not) for pantyhose at work.
Why did silk stockings disappear during WWII?
A depression suddenly hit the Japanese silk market. Then, just as women got accustomed to wearing nylons, the stockings vanished from store shelves during World War II. The fabric was melted down to make parachutes and aircraft tires.
Is it unprofessional to not wear pantyhose?
The general conclusion? While pantyhose used to be necessary in professional woman’s work wardrobe, this is no longer the case in most places. You can dress in a formal way without wearing pantyhose, and you should not worry about being docked on your interview performance because of it.
What is the point of thigh highs?
While thigh highs are the term most often used in the United States. Stay ups and hold-ups are stockings with an elastic or silicone band around the top. The stockings are meant to stay above your mid-thigh. They are designed to hold the stockings up without the use of a garter belt.
How do you tell the front and back of stockings?
The fix: When there isn’t a tag to indicate the front, the first step is to check the shape of the foot. If that’s not clear, look to see if there’s a long seam that sticks out higher in the back of the waistband, which indicates that it’s the back.
Who first wore stockings?
Around 400 – 500. Centuries before being discovered by the English, Egyptians have been wearing knitted socks.
What were 18th century stockings made of?
In the eighteen century, stockings were made from wool, silk, linen, cotton, and mixtures of fibers. Yarns varied from thick (modern worsted weight, with about 4 stitches per inch) to very thin (modern lace weights, with 28 or more stitches per inch).
When did tights take over from stockings?
It took until the 1970s for tights to overtake nylon stockings in popularity. Since then, their wild popularity has been experimented with many times and the iconic boom of leggings in the 80s and 90s set their popularity in stone.
Should I wear pantyhose to a wedding 2022?
Whether you are the mother-of-the-groom, a bridesmaid, or a guest, the answer is – yes, you should wear stockings to a wedding. For the most part, weddings are formal events, and stockings are perfect for special occasions.
How do you wear pantyhose with a dress?
Wear one of these dresses with black pantyhose or a shade that matches your skin tone. Or sport a spring-inspired look by pairing a light blue shirt dress with a pair of sheer white pantyhose. T-shirt and button-front dresses can be worn as-is or with a belt for a cinched look that enhances every figure.
What were stockings made of before nylon?
In the 1920s, as hemlines of dresses rose and central heating was not widespread, women began to wear flesh-colored stockings to cover their exposed legs. Those stockings were sheer, first made of silk or rayon (then known as “artificial silk”) and after 1940 of nylon.
When did pantyhose fall out of fashion?
Of course, makeup and self tanner can do the same thing. But the bottom line is this: Between 2009 and 2013, according to Experian Marketing Services, the number of women in the U.S. who said they bought regular pantyhose declined 40%. The number of women who said they bought control top pantyhose declined 47%.
What is the purpose of nylons?
Their material retains heat and distributes it around your body. The closed toes keep your feet warm because they prevent air from entering between your toes. Pantyhose are also a great alternative to tights because your ankles are protected.
Should you wear black hose with a black dress?
For a formal dinner, a night at the symphony or an upscale after-hours business meeting, slip into hose that match your skin tone or opt for sheer black hose that complement your little black dress and allow your skin to show through.