Nothing but Seamed Stockings

[Jannie]

30 denier seamed stockings

Does anybody know anywhere that sells higher denier (20+) seamed stockings? I really liked the What Katie Did retro seamed stockings - and they were such a bargain too. They're discontinued now unfortunately. The 15 denier replacements are far too thin for me.

Yes, such stockings are undoubtedly not easy to finde any more – have a look here, however:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VTG-ARISTOC-FULLY-FASHIONED-SEAMED-DULCIMA-STOCKINGS-LARGE-10-1-2-11-ALLURE-NIP-/120918463282?pt=UK_Hosiery_Socks&hash=item1c274d5332#ht_500wt_1001

 

[Sharpsburg]

After sending 2 emails with no reply I finally got a human being on the line at Magnolia. I was told they are out of stock on almost everything and I should order them somewhere else. I asked why they could not let customers know this when they order. He told me they can't do so and when i told him to cancel my order he hung up on me! Now i have an event in 2 days and no way to replace them! WARNING about Magnolia!!! I am a very unhappy customer!!!!!
Mary

Has anyone found Magnolia Hosiery's service to be quite slow? I ordered stockings from them 2 weeks ago and have heard nothing. My order still says "processing". No response to emails so i'm rather disappointed.

 

[Alice~]

Yes, such stockings are undoubtedly not easy to finde any more – have a look here, however:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VTG-ARISTOC-FULLY-FASHIONED-SEAMED-DULCIMA-STOCKINGS-LARGE-10-1-2-11-ALLURE-NIP-/120918463282?pt=UK_Hosiery_Socks&hash=item1c274d5332#ht_500wt_1001

Thank you Jannie! I was very excited to see those but unfortunately they weren't my size. Keeping my eyes on eBay now.

 

[Jannie]

20 Denier Stockings

Thank you Jannie! I was very excited to see those but unfortunately they weren't my size. Keeping my eyes on eBay now.

I just visited What Katie Did – and they do seem to have 20 denier stoskings, black as well as nude, and they also seem to be very affordable...

http://www.whatkatiedid.com/product/377/seamed-stockings

 

[Marcus]

Sorry to invade the sanctity of the Powder Room, but my wife is not a forum person and she has a question.


Are seamed stockings common for the late 20's/early 30's?? If not, what is more appropriate for everyday wear?

 

[C-dot]

Are seamed stockings common for the late 20's/early 30's?? If not, what is more appropriate for everyday wear?

Definitely. Up until about the 1960s, all stockings had seams.

 

[Alice~]

I just visited What Katie Did – and they do seem to have 20 denier stoskings, black as well as nude, and they also seem to be very affordable...

http://www.whatkatiedid.com/product/377/seamed-stockings

This is the range they've discontinued - sadly none in my size. I'd suggest buying soon if you want some, WKD announced that they only had a few months left on their Facebook page a while ago.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Definitely. Up until about the 1960s, all stockings had seams.

There was an effort to push seamless hose in the early forties, but they weren't very good -- they tended to bag and twist around the ankles, so they didn't really catch on.

It was common for really cheap stockings to be knit seamless and then have a fake seam stitched up the back -- especially cottons and rayons made for everyday wear. These "seam effect" hose didn't fit as well as proper full-fashioned stockings but they at least looked like more expensive stockings from a distance.

 

[Miss Sis]

Sorry to invade the sanctity of the Powder Room, but my wife is not a forum person and she has a question.


Are seamed stockings common for the late 20's/early 30's?? If not, what is more appropriate for everyday wear?

Just to add to the above replies, that natural tan/brown shades were the norm for everyday wear by then. Earlier they tended to be other colours like black, white, cream etc.

 

[Marcus]

Thanks for the help ladies!

 

[Runa]

As far as colours go, they were mostly nude. Backseam was a little darker, I haven't seen vintage nude tights with that jet black line... I think that's a modern/retro sorta thing.

I suspect they wore darker ones for evening wear? I've seen greyish colours, too

American Apparel makes great black backseamed tights! They last long and are relatively affordable. If youre looking for a really nice high quality one, check out a brand called "Commando". Seamed ones can be a little hard to find but they are out there!

I probably wouldn't recommend wearing vintage tights, the fabric will most likely be weak and fragile. It's not like the style of tights has changed so there's no real reason to be -that- period authentic, lol. No one will know.

 

[C-dot]

As far as colours go, they were mostly nude. Backseam was a little darker, I haven't seen vintage nude tights with that jet black line... I think that's a modern/retro sorta thing.

I suspect they wore darker ones for evening wear? I've seen greyish colours, too

American Apparel makes great black backseamed tights! They last long and are relatively affordable. If youre looking for a really nice high quality one, check out a brand called "Commando". Seamed ones can be a little hard to find but they are out there!

I probably wouldn't recommend wearing vintage tights, the fabric will most likely be weak and fragile. It's not like the style of tights has changed so there's no real reason to be -that- period authentic, lol. No one will know.

Have you had good experiences with the American Apparel tights? Lots of people say they have, but personally, I found the pair I bought to be inferior quality for the price I paid (I got blasted on here a year or so back for saying so, but that's was my experience ) It could have been an unusually delicate pair, or my preference for stockings over pantyhose, but its good to know that they work for some people.

As for wearing black sheers for evening wear, I suspect that was the norm, because nearly every "how to dress" and secretarial guide book from the 40s through 60s I've read has stressed nude stockings for daytime. One such guidebook even uses black stockings to describe the appearance of a terrible, making-a-play-for-the-boss type secretary! Me, I would have been shockingly inappropriate since I wear black stockings all the time lol

 

[LizzieMaine]

Black stockings during the day didn't really become mainstream until the late '80s, and became an utter cliche during the '90s, right up until the bare-leg fad hit. Even then it was more common to see "off black" or even a dark taupe rather than the true jet-black color.

During the Era there were quite a few variations on the color theme besides straight nude -- all sorts of greyish or brownish tones were available depending on the season of the year or the color of the outfit.

 

[Louise Anne]

Reading this thread I have noticed and this is not a criticism at all, but I thought I raise this there is a lot said about durability and cost of stocking which is of course very important or even where to buy or find them,
I do not have any particular brand in mind.
For me one of the more important aspects is what they are like to wear or feel like on.
It's not just vintage or modern reproduction I think there is often a big difference between brand, some in my view feel horrible to me while others feel very silky,
For me it's the silkier ones which I personally prefer.

 

[Runa]

Have you had good experiences with the American Apparel tights?

I've had nothing but great luck with them.. They have always been very durable! I had to throw a pair out because they just looked old, I must have washed them 20 times lol. They are currently the only backseam tights that I can find here that are somewhat cheap. I bought a pair of Commando backseams and they are so freakin' nice and amazing looking, but suuuper expensive. I wore them out once and a big run came out right from the toe seam, so I think it was a manufacturers error. (I'm currently in touch with their customer service and they are really nice and understanding)

Plus, these two brands are both made in the USA. I honestly don't mind paying a little bit more for something made a little closer to home...!

 

[Lenore]

It makes me sad to hear about the trouble with Magnolia. I've bought from them before and had great luck and love the products. I've considered the american apparel stockings, but the fact that I can't get them with a traditional reinforced heel toe/cuban foot keeps me from making the buy. I'm currently on the search for some 20+ denier nudes with nude seams and foot.... my holy grail....

 

[Lenore]

*Bump*

Has anyone tried the What Katie Did stockings? I ask because I recently got the email reminding me of the giant mess of they had when their supplier went down, and I notice they have 45 denier! I've been snooping everywhere for a semi-opaque stocking. Anyone try them out and like them? Would it be worth the 50 bucks a pair?

 

[Louise Anne]

Very interesting , WKD like a lot of companies keep it very quiet where they buy there stock from, however I do know that one of the UK stocking makers have called in the receivers are as you might say "gone bust"

The last I heard is , this company owns the brand name, workforce etc ... but not the knitting machines so there could be a workers buy out .
I try and find out a little more about this

WKD has a good reparation in the UK. I never wore those.
I send you a link by PM.

 

[Lenore]

I think I'm going to order some of the 45 denier stockings from WKD for my birthday next week. I've looked EVERYWHERE for stockings that were 20+ and had yet to find anything. The only downside (besides the $47 price tag) is they only come in chocolate and black. Oh well, it's fall/winter, right?

 

[Penny Dreadful]

I was so excited when I started reading the beginning of this thread and read about Magnolia. It seemed perfect, just what I wanted and so affordable. But when I tried to make an account so I could make a purchase I got the "500 error." Then I tried calling and it said the mailbox is full. What's going on with them? Is there anyone else who sells nice basic FF stockings like that for a low price, like 20$ or less?