Stockings In The Summer?

[jitterbugdoll]

I know what you mean, my legs are short enough, and bobby socks by cutting me off above the ankle make my legs look even shorter. You are lucky, you've got long legs, or as the guys would say "nice gams!", I could totally picture you in a vintage poodles skirt, bobby socks and saddle shoes. Well, at least for a photo shoot it would look great. I feel a bit too costumey wearing a poodle skirt out. Even with their popularity in the 50's, today they are synonymous with highly costumed movies like "Grease" (I do love this movie!), I think lots of people would assume that I was in the theater. I get enough of that around here when I dress vintage without wearing something as obvious as a poodle skirt!
Anyway, I just don't think bobby socks are a good look for me. If I had long legs, or even just a few more inches (I hear there's a surgery to lengthen ones legs, but apparently it is excruciating) I'd take advantage of bobby socks for my casual walks.
No matter how hot it is, I feel naked without a slip. Although I'm very comfortable in tap pants and a camisole too. Except for the tap pants that I wore the other day that were a bit too big. I couldn't feel them over my waist cincher. When I went into the bathroom I realized that they were falling down and I didn't even know it A few more minutes of walking and they would have been around my ankles!!

I know what you mean; I have a vintage 'poodle' skirt as well, and I have never worn it out (and it's a really neat one--four aces on green felt.)

As an alternative to bobby socks, you can always follow one method utilized during WWII. Ladies would fashion peds from their old stockings to cushion their feet and save wear and tear on their shoes (heels and otherwise.) Sometimes I will wear this type of sock in lieu of regular socks when wearing Keds; you do receive the benefits of wearing socks, but in a more flattering style.

 

[Kim_B]

I know what you mean; I have a vintage 'poodle' skirt as well, and I have never worn it out (and it's a really neat one--four aces on green felt.)

As an alternative to bobby socks, you can always follow one method utilized during WWII. Ladies would fashion peds from their old stockings to cushion their feet and save wear and tear on their shoes (heels and otherwise.) Sometimes I will wear this type of sock in lieu of regular socks when wearing Keds; you do receive the benefits of wearing socks, but in a more flattering style.

This sounds interesting...do you have any websites or anything that illustrates this concept? I don't think I've been able to comprehend things very well today...

 

[jitterbugdoll]

This sounds interesting...do you have any websites or anything that illustrates this concept? I don't think I've been able to comprehend things very well today...

Basically, they would cut the feet off a pair of stockings and then stitch in a bit of elastic at the top to hold the 'footies' on their feet. I do have an article around that explains it in greater detail. I will have to find it and scan it in.

 

[Kim_B]

Basically, they would cut the feet off a pair of stockings and then stitch in a bit of elastic at the top to hold the 'footies' on their feet. I do have an article around that explains it in greater detail. I will have to find it and scan it in.

Ahh, that makes sense... :eusa_doh:

 

[Kitty_Sheridan]

Daisy,
do whagt they did in Britain...slap on some Gravy Browning!!!
Failing that a bit of that daily mosturiser with tan stuff and dare to go bare.
Women in Britain did during the war years!
(Tell us more about Patrick!!)

 

[Girl Friday]

Thanks for this post! I was wondering the same myself.

I have to tell you over 90 degrees in Texas is more like living in a sauna, its bad enough my hair is frizzy, but hose... :eusa_doh:

 

[Paisley]

You can also buy peds at Walgreens.

At work, we have to wear panty hose or stockings. We can't go bare-legged.

When I go dancing, I wear a cotton t-shirt and skirt and sandals without stockings or socks. It's too hot, even in winter.

I too have heard of women drawing a "seam" down the back of the leg during WWII when stockings were in short supply.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

You can indeed buy ready-made peds at places like Walgreen's and Target. I have always wanted to try the make-your-own method though, as store-bought peds seem to poke too high out of your shoes, and can look tacky.

I almost always wear stockings when dancing, and find that it is no less hot without them; when dancing up a storm, it is always hot regardless of your outfit!

I should add that painting on stockings is a certainly WWII-style option, but in hot, humid weather, that makeup can melt off your legs pretty quickly. I read an article in a WWII magazine that stressed how careful one must be when using this method; you cannot cross your legs and must be careful not to touch them either, or your carefully applied handiwork will rub off. Even the convenient 'airbrush' sprays on the market today transfer very easily.

 

[ShooShooBaby]

jbd, i've often worn stockings when dancing up a storm too, and it never bothered me much. of course, this is coming from someone who's alltime number-one favorite type of top to wear dancing is the cashmere or wool (though short-sleeve) sweater! lol

all-in-all though... i am way too lazy/klutzy to wear stockings much. i've always pulled them out for special occasions only! i'm not much of a proper vintage lady, i'm afraid.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

jbd, i've often worn stockings when dancing up a storm too, and it never bothered me much. of course, this is coming from someone who's alltime number-one favorite type of top to wear dancing is the cashmere or wool (though short-sleeve) sweater! lol

all-in-all though... i am way too lazy/klutzy to wear stockings much. i've always pulled them out for special occasions only! i'm not much of a proper vintage lady, i'm afraid.

I can't wear sweaters when dancing (though I've tried many times), but even a cotton frock is beastly warm after a couple of spins around a crowded dance floor.

 

[ShooShooBaby]

I can't wear sweaters when dancing (though I've tried many times), but even a cotton frock is beastly warm after a couple of spins around a crowded dance floor.

fftopic: you DO live in arizona though... the warmest i've danced in has been socal!

 

[jitterbugdoll]

fftopic: you DO live in arizona though... the warmest i've danced in has been socal!

True, but even in winter I overheat quickly.

 

[Girl Friday]

Take a look...

At the sandals Lauren Bacall is wearing...1945. Awesome.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

At the sandals Lauren Bacall is wearing...1945. Awesome.

That is a great picture of the two of them, but I cannot say that I care for that style of shoe.

The girl in this photo is wearing a similar style:

 

[Girl Friday]

I know a lot of people that can stand to have anything between their toes.
It is just nice to know that sandals without stockings for casual occasions is actually appropriate vintage wear.

I've also seen several pictures of ladies wearing espadrilles...
http://www.espadrillesetc.com/index.php

 

[Sunny]

That is a great picture of the two of them, but I cannot say that I care for that style of shoe.

The girl in this photo is wearing a similar style:

That girl's face and expression looks like she stepped straight out of a Waterhouse painting.

http://www.artrenewal.org/asp/database/image.asp?id=12803

http://www.artrenewal.org/asp/database/image.asp?id=779

 

[jitterbugdoll]

I think I just prefer a shoe with a little more heel; espadrilles are an adorable option.

Sunny, I see exactly what you mean. How interesting!

 

[LolitaHaze]

I happened to glance over at my Vargas book today and saw this pinup and thought of this thread and it's sandals talk...

 

[roselily]

Okay, so I'm resurrecting this thread rather than create one of my own, even though we're going into cold weather.

I'm actually curious about bobbie socks- are they the only alternative to stockings (or bare legs)for a younger person? How about tights or knee socks?

btw- for dancing I strongly recommend Danskin's NYCB seamed tights in tan- they're awesome with moisture management!

 

[LizzieMaine]

Knee socks were actually *very* popular on college campuses around 1940-41, so it's a legitimate period look.