Stockings, Garter Belts, and Girdles: The Days Before Pantyhose

On one of my estate-sale excursions, I came upon a stash of nylon stockings. All were beautifully kept, most in the original packages, some in the original box seals still unbroken. As a teen who had to wear nylons I was amazed. Amazed they stood the test of time and made me start thinking of the days before pantyhose. For those of you born in the mid-70’s or later, stockings are the things seen on Mad Men or Pan Am, or  in an old movie with attached at the mid thigh oh-so-seductively by garters. Stockings were a required part of a woman’s wardrobe. Dresses were commonplace (the pantsuit didn’t become truly accepted until the late 60’s or early 70’s) and pantyhose weren’t invented yet.

There were a few rules to keep when it came to stockings, such as nail polish, never throw out one if another is torn (you’ll probably need it later), and always wash stockings by hand.

Here are a few I found at the estate sale:

   Vintage Lorette Cantrece stockings from Kline’s Department store.  These are in the original box, seal never broken.

      Vintage Hanes Walking Sheer Stockings

 

To see more about the history of stockings with lots of pictures, click HERE. Thanks to Glamour Daze and the amazing blog.

“New” Vintage Listings in MissEileen’s Shop

 

           Vintage Nylon Stockings….Lorette Exclusive with Kline’s

These stockings were made from Cantrece by DuPont, 400 needle, 15 denier. Cantrece was a new type of Nylon that was developed by Dupont to give perfect fit. It has stretch  but is sheer as regular nylon stockings with no looseness and were made to fit every contour of the ankle, calf & knee, all important to the fashionable woman of the 60’s.

 

    Vintage Mid Century Black Rotary Dial Telephone 

A little scuffed from use but still in incredible vintage condition. From the days when you had to call the phone company (there was only one) to hook up (install) your phone because jacks weren’t invented yet. Don’t even think or wireless or hand held. Those were imaginary things only seen in the movies or cartoons. Still works. These phones were built solid and heavy, meant to last a long time.

     Vintage Chenille Bedspread Yellow with Blue Basket and Pink Roses

This bedspread is gorgeous and in very good vintage condition. Absolutely beautiful. Tufting is all intact. It has been stored away for a long time. Full size, from the days when people were a little smaller in stature and money was tight. But then smaller beds meant snuggling a little closer. Hmmm….

    Vintage Hand Held Mirror by Avon

This cutie was made in the Wedgewood Jasper style with 3 Grecian Ladies. I used to think hand mirrors were oh-so-feminine. Bring to mind pictures of Victorian ladies admiring their long tresses.

All of these wonderful finds are in my MissEileen’s Etsy shop.

Thanks for stopping by!