Fascinating and alluring they are capable of provoking the incredible feelings in men. They motivate the stronger half of the humanity to act, to inflame the passions and desire.
Artists, sculptors, photographers who have created world masterpieces driving mad millions of people, made it possible thanks to one detail only they describe women wearing – stockings…
The first record of the stocking dates back to 4-5 centuries BC. The stocking was invented in Ancient Greece and Rome. They were knitted.
The art of creating such unique clothing was later forgotten and restored only in 13 century. So, within a few centuries stockings were made of thin leather or linen.
The stocking became popular in 16th century with men exclusively. And the turning point in the history of the stocking took place in 1589 when an English priest Reverend William Lee invented a knitting machine.
The second important moment in the stocking history is the adoption of the stoking into the women’s wardrobe from the men’s one.
In the 19th century men’s pants became longer while the women’s skirts got shorter and it became socially acceptable for ladies to show their legs.
As soon as stockings were the women’s their look changed dramatically.
Lace, flower embroidery, geometrical lines and even… the picture of a bric wall with a military headwear (these were the stockings Maison Milon, made during the war of 1871).
Check, stripes, sequins, pearls, turquoise, all possible colors from brown and yellow to red and orange…
Talking about fabrics we should mention that synthetic silk started being produced in 1910 together with Lisle thread and cotton. About 20 years later nylon was invented and only in 1980 it was lycra that made the stockings even more beautiful.
In 1920 flesh-colored stocking became fashionable. Actually flesh ranged from pinkish to maroon. The most popular patterns were snake-skin, iris, flower bouquet and peacock tails.
When nylon and lycra began to be used in the production of stockings the price for the ones of poor quality fell dramatically while the cost of the best stockings went up to $9 (at that time a new pair of shoes cost as much).
Looking at different designs of the stocking worn by the most recognized people in history we can say these were the works of art.
For example, in the times of Louis XIV men wore red and light-blue stockings made of velvet or silk. The models were adorned with bows and garters and could be affordable for only very rich and powerful people.
In Baroque and Rococo epoch men wore stockings as additions to knickers. Women of the 18th century rocked lacy stockings imitating le marquis de Pompadour’s style.
The most interesting stockings in the late 20th century are the ones by French designer Chantal Thomas.
Her stockings had the imitation of corset embroidery, funny inscriptions, and other interesting details.
Showing this beauty was considered obscene for a long period of time. If we spoke about works of art, the first picture of a woman wearing stocking appeared in 1832 when Ejen Delacrua painted a picture “Woman in white stockings”.
However, demi-nu didn’t get so much popular at that time. Just in the end of the 19th century newspapers, postcards, photographs and pictures paid attention to the topic.
But according to the law one had a right to watch and admire a beautiful woman’s body only in circus and the opera.
Fortunately for men soon the era of cancan started and pretty dancers got the opportunity to wear black stockings adorned with ruching and bows.
Bills for cabaret Moulin Rouge in 1890s were painted by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.
Jules Cheret and other artists followed his enthusiasm but most of the bills didn’t appear in public for an obvious reason.
When striptease got popular after Les Couchers d’Yvette, artists began painting women smarting themselves as if caught putting on stockings.
Nowadays when stockings became a part of our life their assortment is huge as well as the price range. If you have no idea which brand to choose, feel free to experiment.
When purchasing the stocking pay close attention to seams. They can be of two types: rounded and flat.
The first are usually cheaper and can chafe your skin and under clinging clothes they are clearly seen.
Stockings of high quality are characterized by the use of aromatizers. To add to this the stocking can be made of natural and synthetic materials.
The best brands use microfiber (polyester and polyamide). The more lycra is included the more expensive and better the piece is.
When worn and kept with great care the stocking can serve long and well.
The main rules are: hand-wash your stockings, avoid detergents with whitening effect, never dry the stocking near a source of heat like radiators or heaters and before you put on them take off all the jewelry that can damage the stocking.
And the last but not the least: no one except the wearer should know she’s wearing stockings. Everyone around can just guess but never be sure…
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