Fully Fashioned Stockings
Our fully fashioned stockings are made in England on original 1950s Reading knitting machines, using sheer 15 denier non-stretch nylon. Knitted flat and shaped to follow the leg, each stocking is joined with a genuine back seam. Choose between classic Cuban and point heels for authentic hosiery to wear with your favourite suspender belt.
What Katie Did began with stockings in 1999, and fully fashioned nylons remain at the heart of what we do. Ours are made in England using original Reading knitting machines from the 1950s, preserving a method of manufacture that gives these stockings their distinctive shape, seam and feel.
Unlike modern stockings knitted as tubes, fully fashioned stockings are knitted flat, with the number of stitches changing to shape the leg. The edges are then joined at the back, creating a seam that is part of the stocking’s construction. The finishing loop beneath the welt and the small fashioning marks are further clues to how they were made.
Our guide to how fully fashioned stockings are made takes you through the process and the machinery behind it.
A back seam alone does not make a stocking fully fashioned. Modern stretch seamed stockings recreate the look using a different construction, with elastane providing a more forgiving fit.
Our fully fashioned stockings are made from non-stretch nylon. Their shape comes from the knitting, so choosing the correct size matters more than it does with stretch hosiery. If you enjoy traditional construction and the distinctive feel of classic nylons, these are the real thing. If you prefer greater flexibility for everyday wear, explore our stretch Glamour Seamed Stockings.
The difference is in the shape of the reinforced heel. Our Cuban Heel Fully Fashioned Stockings have a squared-off heel for a bold, distinctive finish above your shoes.
Our Point Heel Fully Fashioned Stockings, also known as French heels, have a reinforcement that tapers to a point. Both styles use the same traditional fully fashioned construction; the choice is simply which heel shape you prefer.
Use the height guide on the individual product page as your starting point, and remember that non-stretch nylon fits differently from modern stretch stockings. Your leg’s proportions also affect how high the stocking sits, so contact us if you are unsure which size to choose.
Do not be surprised if your stockings look long when you take them out of the packet. As your leg fills the stocking’s width, its apparent length reduces. The right fit should allow you to attach your suspenders without pulling the stocking excessively tight.
Remove rings and bracelets and check your nails for rough edges before handling fine hosiery. Hosiery gloves can help protect the nylon from accidental snags.
Hand wash in lukewarm water with a gentle detergent, avoid wringing and leave to air dry away from direct heat. Store each pair separately in its packet or a smooth hosiery bag, away from hooks and other items that might catch the fabric.
Fully fashioned stockings need a suspender belt, girdle or corselette to hold them in place. We recommend at least six straps—three for each leg—to support the nylon and help keep the seams aligned.
Gather each stocking gently towards the toe, position the heel correctly, then ease it up your leg. Straighten the seam before fastening your suspenders, allowing enough flexibility to sit and move comfortably.
