Fully Fashioned Stockings
Discover genuine fully fashioned stockings, knitted in England on original 1950s Reading machines. Made from sheer, non-stretch 15 denier nylon, each pair is shaped as it is knitted and hand seamed, with classic Cuban or point heels.
Fully Fashioned Stockings
Fully fashioned stockings are the most authentic choice for recreating 1940s and 1950s hosiery. Ours are knitted in England on original Reading machines dating from the 1950s, using sheer 15 denier non-stretch nylon.
Unlike modern stockings, which are usually knitted as tubes, fully fashioned stockings are knitted flat and shaped to follow the leg. The two sides are then sewn together by hand, creating the distinctive back seam. Look closely and you will also see the finishing loop beneath the welt and the tiny picot marks used to shape the stocking during knitting.
These details are part of their construction, not decoration added later. You can see the complete process in our guide to how fully fashioned stockings are made.
Fully Fashioned or Modern Seamed Stockings?
All fully fashioned stockings have seams, but not all seamed stockings are fully fashioned.
Our modern seamed stockings are knitted with elastane, giving them the stretch and flexibility most of us are accustomed to. Fully fashioned stockings contain no elastane. Their seam holds the stocking together, while their shape is created by increasing and decreasing the number of stitches during knitting.
This gives genuine fully fashioned stockings their beautifully defined line and unmistakable nylon feel, but it also makes the fit more precise. If you are new to stockings or want something forgiving for frequent wear, stretch seamed stockings may be the easier choice. If historical accuracy, traditional construction and the feel of real non-stretch nylon matter most, fully fashioned stockings are in a class of their own.
Cuban Heel or Point Heel?
Our collection includes two traditional heel shapes.
Cuban Heel Fully Fashioned Stockings have a squared-off reinforcement rising above the shoe. The stronger, more architectural shape has a distinctly 1940s character and makes the heel a noticeable part of the design.
Point Heel Fully Fashioned Stockings taper to an elegant point at the ankle. Sometimes known as French heel stockings, they are particularly associated with the refined hosiery styles of the 1950s.
Neither is more authentic than the other. The choice simply comes down to whether you prefer the bolder line of a Cuban heel or the more delicate finish of a point heel.
Choosing Your Size
Because fully fashioned nylon does not stretch, sizing matters more than it does with modern hosiery. Choose your size primarily according to height, using the measurements shown on each product page.
If you are at the lower end of a height bracket, sizing down may give you a smoother fit. A pair that is too long can wrinkle around the ankle, while a pair that is too short may pull at the welt and feel restrictive.
Do not be alarmed by how long the stockings appear when they come out of the packet. Non-stretch nylons look surprisingly generous when laid flat, but your leg takes up the width and reduces the apparent length once they are on.
Wearing Fully Fashioned Stockings
Fully fashioned stockings are not hold-ups and need to be worn with a suspender belt, girdle or corselette. We recommend at least six suspender straps, with three on each leg, to support the non-stretch nylon and help keep the seams straight.
Take a moment to position the heel correctly before easing each stocking up the leg. Once the heel and seam are aligned, attach the suspenders without pulling the stockings excessively tight. A little natural movement in the nylon is normal and part of the authentic fit.
Caring for Real Nylons
Fine 15 denier nylon needs careful handling. Remove rings and bracelets before putting your stockings on, check for rough nails and gather each stocking gently down to the toe rather than pulling it straight up the leg. Hosiery gloves are useful, although clean disposable gloves make a less glamorous but perfectly practical substitute.
Hand wash your stockings in lukewarm water, avoid wringing them and allow them to air dry away from rough surfaces. Store each clean pair separately in its packet or a smooth hosiery bag to protect it from snags.
Fully fashioned stockings ask for a little more attention than their modern counterparts. In return, they give you the precise seam, shaped fit and silky feel that made fine nylon hosiery so desirable in the first place.