The GS Style Guide: 1. The History of Stockings

Originating many centuries ago, stockings were the first form of hosiery. Today, these fine, often sheer coverings for legs come in a multitude of designs to fit all shapes, sizes, and ages. From traditional thigh-highs worn with a garter belt to cleverly designed stay-ups, there's a stocking for just about every occasion. And what's more, if you pick the right type of stockings, chances are it will do more than merely show off your legs.

May 15, 1940 is the day the world changed forever!

Nylon stockings made their grand debut at the 1939 World's Fair in New York. By the time the stockings were released for sale to the public on May 15, 1940 demand was so high that women flocked to stores by the thousands.

Hosiery has always been something desirable for women to wear. It is pure feminine, classy, sexy and ladylike. No outfit is complete without the right pair of hosiery, no matter what the occasion or weather.

Hosiery has remained a timeless fashion must by anyone wanting to excude style and class and has never lost the importance in a stylish woman's wardrobe.

The right hosiery is the icing on the cake of any outfit both formal and informal - it makes the outfit “Pop” and it goes from average to elegant chic.

It can also perform magic on the legs, calves and outfit by concealing a less perfect skin, make mature skin look smooth and a young skin stand out, slim a big leg and calf and make beautiful legs and calves stand out. It is the easiest way of updating a working wardrobe and giving a current look to your investment pieces.

Today the choices in hosiery are almost limitless. They not only come in different types to suit style and personality, but come in a variety of colours, patterns and styles. Hosiery follows fashion trends as all fashion items do, which means that wearers should assess carefully what works best on their specific body shape, height, proportion and calf size and be careful not to just follow a fashion without considering the consequences! As any fashion item they can flatter the body shape or could do the total opposite with the wrong choice.

Stockings were considered an “outdated fashion” for a short period of time some years ago, but it was generally agreed that this was a huge mistake and since then many famous fashion influencers have brought them back with a vengeance!