One of the fetishes which is least well-covered fetishes in the literature - but well-known of by Dominatrices - is the nylon stocking and hosiery fetish.
The era of nylon stockings began in the late 1930s, when Dupont began experimenting with the completely manmade material of nylon, aka "fiber-66" - made from coal, air and water - to create stockings.
One such early experimental pair from 1937 is in the Smithsonian Institute collection.
Early experimental nylon stockings by Union Hosiery Company for Dupont (1937) Smithsonian Collection.
They first nylon stockings featured in the 1939 World's Fair in New York, and were officially released for sale on May 15, 1940. So popular were they with women, that reportedly four million pairs sold in just 4 days. They were originally black, with it taking some time before flesh tones were worked out and made.
Advertisement for Dupont nylon stockings, 1940s era
In 1942, with the outbreak of World War II, nylon was diverted into the making of parachutes, and other equipment for the war effort. It was called "the fibre that won the war" - used in glider tow ropes, flak jackets, shoelaces, mosquito netting and hammocks, to name but a few of the applications.
Women could thus only obtain stockings through the black market, and some took to make-up to create the look of stocking fabric and black painted seams down the back of their legs to mimic the seam of stockings.
Make-up was applied to the legs to mimic the appearance of nylon stockings
Leg Silique Liquid Stockings make-up for legs from National Museum of American History; and application of seam line with eyebrow pencil in a screwdriver handle (1942) by Bettman / Corbis.
After the War, nylon stockings re-entered the market and were sought out in a frenzy leading to "nylon riots" in 1945-6.
Pantyhose (as opposed to stockings which fit into a suspender / garter belt) didn't come out until around 1959, replacing in large part the suspender belt stockings. The pantyhose enabled also the shorter length of skirt in the 1960s.
By the 1990s and 2000s, nylon pantyhose / stockings were largely dropped in favour of natural legs, however have remained a staple fetish for good reason.
They are remembered as part of the "Mysteries" of femininity, tucked away in intimate drawers of lingerie in women's bedrooms - for those who grew up in the 1940s - 1960s era. With their sensual materiality, skin-like touch and effect, delicate ritual of rolling onto a pointed foot and up the leg, they have been programmed deeply into the imagination of those witness to their reign.
Many Dominatrices have within their collection and on their Wishlist - treasured pairs of specialist fully fashioned seamed stockings recreating those of the 1940s-60s in particular, and nylon pantyhose resembling those commonly worn in the 1960s-1980s era (on which I'll do a separate blog).
I have put together a list for my students of those most desired and coveted, for reference...
Authentic "Fully Fashioned" stockings
Real fully-fashioned nylon stockings are made by flat knitting on the Reading machines, and are non-stretch nylon and have a characteristic welt, shadow welt, keyhole, along with the back seam and special heel design.
Characteristics of Fully Fashioned stockings by Inapond
The Reading machines they are made on continue to produce them in the UK for Gio, and for What Katie Did brand, and in France for Cervin brand.
Images from Gio in UK of the authentic machines used to make the fully fashioned stockings.
For Mistresses whose clients grew up in the 1950s - early 1960s era, and who developed a fetish for the nylon fully fashioned - these are the specific kind they will be seeking out.
Only which kind to buy and where to buy them? I have compiled a list for you....
Cuban / Havana heel - Fully Fashioned Stockings
The archetypal fully fashioned stocking is the "Cuban Heel" which were popular throughout the mid-20th Century and at their peak in the 1940s era. The "Havana" heel is also very similar to the Cuban heel, but slightly wider rectangular detail.
Gio - Fully Fashioned - Cuban heel stockings
See also the similar Havana heel
Gio have the best range of fully-fashioned stockings in the world, made on the Reading machines in the UK, from pure nylon. As there is no stretch in pure nylon, they offer different sizes across a vast range with gradated shoe size and inside leg measurements.
You can therefore get the close or exact size to fit you or your play partner.
From: Gio Fully Fashioned sizing guide
Material: 100% nylon (non-stretch)
What Katie Did - Fully Fashioned - Cuban Heel stockings
What Katie Did are a well-known brand, and they size which fits UK 12 to 16, US 8-12 person, (40-44 European) and 4 sizes by height. Note: The maximum thigh size that they will comfortably fit is 25" (63.5cm).
Made in Derbyshire, UK on old-fashioned vintage Reading knitting machines, in use since the 1950s.
Material: Sheer 15 denier non-stretch nylon
Cervin - Fully fashioned - Havana seam stockings 30
Material: 30 Denier Nylon (100% Nylon Polyamid)
Flat knitted stockings on a straight loom Reading.
Made in France
They have an excellent size range (9 sizes) and cater better in half sizes at the upper range sizes, for cross-dressers, transgender community, as well as cis male nylon stocking lovers to wear themselves.
Point heel (French heel) - Fully fashioned stockings
The Point heel (or French heel) is the second most common style of fully-fashioned stockings, and these became more popular in the 1950s. They feature a tapered heel which draws to a narrow point and into the seam line.
Gio - Fully Fashioned - Point heel stockings
Once again Gio lead the way in fully-fashioned stocking craftsmanship, with the greatest range of point heel stockings made on Reading machines. They have a wide range of individual sizes across the range, as well as colour options.
Materials: 100% nylon, 15 denier
Made in UK
What Katie Did - Fully Fashioned - Point Heel
Size - fits UK 12 to 16, US 8-12 person, (40-44 European). Note: The maximum thigh size that they will comfortably fit is 25" (63.5cm).
Made in Derbyshire, UK on Reading machine.
Material: 100% nylon, 15 denier
Cervin - Fully Fashioned - Tentation Seamed Nylon Stockings
Material: 15 Denier Nylon (100% Nylon Polyamid)
Flat knitted stockings on a straight loom Reading.
Made in France
Manhattan style - Fully fashioned stockings
Gio - Fully Fashioned - Manhattan heel stockings
Gio makes an authentic Manhattan heel style in fully-fashioned from 100% nylon, alongside a range of other styles which are greater than any other brand.
Material: 100% nylon, 15 denier
Made in UK on Reading machines.
Cervin Fully Fashioned - Bas Tenue de Soiree stockings
Material: 15 Denier Nylon (100% Nylon Polyamid)
Made in France
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Modern lookalikes: Modern nylon-elastane blend seamed stockings (cheaper than fully-fashioned, stretchy, may be option for some)
If you love the look of seamed fully-fashioned stockings, but not the expensive price, there are some modern-day versions that capture the seamed stocking "look" but are made using modern methods and blending elastane for stretch. They feel more or less like regular modern stockings to wear, soft and stretchy compared to the fully-fashioned (which are stiffer and with no stretch).
Note: They are not going to feel identical to lovers of 100% nylon.
What Katie Did - black seamed stockings
Available in Cuban heel & Point (French) heel
These are modern stockings made using modern methods in Italy, and made with elastane blend. Those who are highly familiar with fully fashioned stockings will be able to tell they are not the "real thing" as they don't have a keyhole or shadow welt, and are stretchy and different to touch. However they are easy-to-wear, attractive and less expensive.
Materials: 87% nylon, 10% elastane, 3% polypropylene.
Made in Italy
(with suspender belt as well as seamed stockings)
UK brand Jonathan Aston makes this "seduction set" which comes with a simple black suspender belt and modern vintage-style seamed stockings.
Made in Italy
Materials for Stockings: 85% Polyamide, 15% Elastane
Materials for Suspender Belt: 82% Polyamide, 18% Elastane
Jonathan Aston Vintage Legs Backseam and Heel Hold Ups JBLX
I am not such a fan of "hold ups" (as opposed to suspender / garter belt stockings), but these Jonathan Aston back seam and heel hold ups are remarkably good quality and value, and worth inclusion on the list for consideration. You can manage to get most suspender belt attachments through the thickness of the hold-up, so you can unofficially wear these as suspender stockings with a bit of determination, I can anecdotally report.
Materials: 85% Nylon and 15% Elastane, 12 Denier
Other brands include:
Maison Close - are in my view over-priced for stockings which are not fully-fashioned, but they are a good quality option for modern seamed stockings with elastane in them.
Playful Promises - available often from mainstream sex shops. They tend to be made from a cheaper lower quality blend of materials polypropylene with nylon and elastane, but have the advantage that they may be available from your local sex shop.