Glamorize Your Garters

One of my favorite drool-inducing lingerie blogs is Frou Frou Fashionista, kept by Faire Frou Frou the luxury intimate apparel retailer, and one of my single favorite posts they have ever made was from January of 2008 about a V magazine photoshoot of glamorous garter belts and luxe panties embellished by stylist Bay Garnett with gorgeous pins and brooches. I actually hold this blog post and these photos partially responsible for turning me into someone with the desire to sing the praises of hosiery and pretty underthings around cyberspace.

I love the silver spiderweb pin on the lavender stockings and the Eiffel Tower pin on the rosy garters. The whole idea adds a touch of whimsy and glamor that's really original and, I think, very pretty. This is obviously an idea that would be very easy to copy at home and I've even wondered why more garter belts aren't sold with embellishment on the garter strap. Some of it has to do with not wanting the strap to show through clothing, but it seems that designers are losing an opportunity to have some fun with fabrics or decorations once in a while and I know I'd be interested in something quite outside the norm every now and again, even if it were just for the boudoir.

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SXSW Stockings

SXSW is currently in full swing down in Austin and, while I would love to have attended myself, I'm stuck up here in Seattle. Never fear, though, mobile reporter Kevin in Texas attended the Pastries and Pasties event on Friday night and shot this great photo of a mural inside Emo's where the event was being held. For the record, he declared the chocolate with kahlua and coffee cupcake his favorite of the night. Thank you for the wonderful photo, Kevin and for thinking of me while you were out and about taking photos.

Latex Stockings Lust

My name is SV and I have a problem. I can't stop thinking about latex stockings tonight because my blogger-in-arms, Treacle, at Stockings Addict posted earlier about the ad campaign for Maybelline's new Lash Stiletto Mascara which features lush, shiny black latex stockings in a pair of red-tipped heels. As I looked at the photograph, I felt myself go weak in the knees, even though I was sitting down.




I've been interested in getting some latex hose for a while, and she was kind/evil enough to pass on some links for great places to buy latex hosiery and lingerie. As I perused, I absolutely fell in love with Atsuko Kudo Couture Latex Design and needed to post the photos above in an attempt to get the lust out of my system, since I've been able to think of little else since I laid eyes on their website. I'm looking forward to thoroughly exploring my options for buying some latex hosiery (Atsuko Kudo Couture will have to remain a fantasy item at their price point until I know how I like latex) and reporting back on my adventures in latex stockings.

Tights with Shorts

Recently, the Stockingirl blog has made quite a few mentions of one of my favorite trends from my teenage years: tights worn under a pair of shorts. I know it will come as a major shock to everyone who reads my blog, but I really enjoy showing off my legwear. What might be more of a surprise is that I'm not a huge fan of wearing very short skirts. I just have a very difficult time tuning out the idea that I might be showing off the lady parts unknowingly, so it's hard for me to relax if my skirt is more than a couple of inches above the knee. Wearing a pair of shorts takes care of that anxiety and lets me show off a few more inches of the hosiery.

Now, as someone who, in the 80's, owned a pair of red and white polka-dotted rayon shorts that she often wore with white tights and a pair of red suede flats that had a gold medallion on them, I can attest that it is a look that is really easy to get wrong. Even then, I knew I felt best wearing a pair of denim shorts with black tights. I think I'm going to go on record now and say that I still think this is the gold standard of the shorts with tights look. A monochromatic look is a very close second.

Let me re-iterate. This is a danger-zone kind of look. You can very easily dip into "My EYES!" territory and injure others if you get this wrong, as captured by malingering at Flickr.
There are issues other than the shorts and tights going on with this ensemble, starting with the poor fit of the shirt and jacket. However, keeping our focus on the shorts and tights, if The Busy™ is happening on the legs, the rest of the outfit needs to be simple as all get out. These tights are way too busy to wear with tweed shorts (which are not even in the same color family as the tights) and a jacket that is possibly made from yak and seems to have ripped up toilet paper glued on it. She seems to have also made the shorts herself by scissoring up a pair of her former tweed trousers and leaving them unhemmed. Obviously, there is a long tradition of cut-off shorts. These, however, look like what would happen were Martha Stewart to decide to get herself a pair of Daisy Dukes.

Keeping it simple and as classic as possible with the shorts with tights look is really important because it's already a little different than what people are used to seeing and it is surprisingly easy to confuse the general public.

Style Du Monde shows Sarah Rutson, the fashion director of a very popular chain of Hong Kong department stores, rocking the ever living daylights out of the shorts with tights look. The length of these shorts is perfect for her, the little distressed details are fun (notice her perfectly trimmed hem, though) and she has kept her accessories and other clothing really classic and perfectly put together. Although she is wearing a lot of different things, the coordination is so tight that the impression is just holy cow and fabulous. One thing she's doing that's a fave for me with shorts and tights is wearing a tailored blazer, which helps the tights make sense again and dresses up the shorts.

However, even someone as stylish as Ms. Rutson can make me question the shorts with tights look. It's that fraught with peril.

There's something that's not right about these shorts with this outfit. I think it's the shape and the length most of all, but the distressing seems to be too much here, too. It's one of those times where I can't say exactly what's bugging me, but putting my thumb over the shorts improves the outfit a hundredfold. I think this would have looked fabulous with black wool shorts.

All in all, the shorts with tights look can be a really fun way to show a few more inches of legs than you might be comfortable showing in a skirt. It's not the time to get crazy with the rest of the outfit, in fact it's probably the time to dip into the more classic areas of your wardrobe. I am guilty of high crimes against fashion while wearing shorts with tights, but I hope this year I'll be making up for what I did 20 years ago.

I'm adding some photos of some longer shorts with tights in response to the comments on this post. It's definitely possible to wear the look with a longer short as long as the shape is right. I've thought about it and I think the thing that bothers me the most about the third Sarah Rutson photo is that the shorts are baggy through the thigh and then pull in at the cuff, so they look almost like bloomers. The length is also not exactly right on her, but it's definitely possible to venture out of short short territory with tights and look fabulous, as evidenced by the photos below I've borrowed from a Stockingirl post on the shorts with tights trend at New York and London fashion week. (photos from style.com)




What do you guys think of shorts with tights? Are they serving up the hotness or do they make you want to escape to your special place?

Gaultier Hosiery Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear

The invitations for this show came wrapped in fishnet. This could only be a good sign for the leg looks that would walk the runway. (The show itself was on Fishnet Friday. JPG blew it out in STYLE, baby!)

(I see someone's undies! *giggle* I have a perverse desire to go to the supermarket dressed like this.)





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Postwar Nylon Stocking Psychos

I know many people who read this blog dream of days like this returning when, post WWII, "stores had to impose quotas on sales (of nylons) to prevent outright mayhem in the aisles," and "a man with a pair of new nylons in his pocket was better off than a G.I. in Germany with a hatful of chocolate bars."

But then that horrible Christian Dior ruined everyone's fun! I love the guy smiling at the end of this video so much. More videos...

How to Wear a Garter Belt

I ran into this very basic garter-belt-wearing instructional video last month on Fool For Your Stockings a very simple and fun celebration of one man's obsession with stockings. He mixes photos of real women (including me, once) with those of celebrities (who I suppose are, technically, real women, too) and includes other media when appropriate. I enjoy his collection of tutorials, which include how to walk in stilettos, and how to put on black fully-fashioned nylons, which involves a lot more bending over to show your heiny to the camera and caressing of thighs than I had realized, no wonder I have issues with wrinkling!

The site is discreet, but as I have yet to look at every single page. I would suggest that if you are concerned at all, clicking through on the links above may be safer at home than at work.

Fishnet Friday

Perhaps those of you who read Stocking Vixen on a regular basis may have noticed that I have been more than mildly excited by the start of Fishnet Stockings Week on March 4th over at one of my favorite blogs, Stockings Addict. I really wasn't certain what to expect, but anything that meant an entire week would be devoted to fishnets, my absolute favorite type of hosiery, I couldn't help but get in a tizzy over. I think she must have heard me hyperventilating outside the door of her blog, and Treacle took some of the suspense away on the 1st of March explaining:

Fishnet Stockings Week starts March 4th and continues through March 11th. We'll start with a brief, technical overview of what defines the fishnet and talk about some basic differences in type and style of net. Immediately afterwards, I'm going to start posting reviews. Expect to see thorough discussions of fishnet hose from brands as diverse as Wolford, Falke, Betsey Johnson, Jonathan Aston, Aristoc, and Secrets in Lace. The goal for me is to have you, my readers, not only become more acquainted with fishnet stockings in general but also to have a better idea of which fishnets would be best for you.

She did indeed post a wonderful manifesto on the beauty and versatility of fishnet, as well as a great explanation of the different sizes and shape of net and how to put together different types of looks.

Most importantly, because it leads to an excuse to wear piles of hosiery, she has declared Friday the 6th of March, Fishnet Friday and is encouraging everyone to put on their fishnets and enjoy them together. If you do, drop by and let the world know what you're wearing.


I made two special purchases for this event. Some topless industrial net stockings, which are the stockings that originally lead to my DIY thigh high experiment, and some diamond net pantyhose, which have much more awesome feet than are shown in the product illustration. I'll try to post a photo here tomorrow. My camera seems to be hiding. I also have a pair of very sweet lilac fishnet knee socks that are topped by a ribbon, that I bought after Christmas and have been saving for a special occasion. Tomorrow seems to be the perfect occasion to bring them out. I will have to change a few times during the day, but it is all worth it in the name of celebrating hosiery! Happpy Fishnet Friday, everyone.

Sheer, Shimmering Pantyhose of the Week

The people who read Stocking Vixen have proven to be very supportive and very generous with their time and suggestions. I want to take a moment to everyone who has been so supportive and welcoming this last month as I got the blog up and going and let you know I'm truly enjoying the new friendships I'm forming. I really owe some very special thanks to Stockingmonster out there on Planet Hosiery who has taken it upon himself to evangelize for me on Twitter daily, as well as share with me his extensive experience in buying and enjoying legwear. The man knows hosiery. Thank you so much to you all, but especially you, SM.

You guys have also been great about suggesting things to write about, either directly or indirectly. (Very obviously, tomorrow is the start of Fishnet Stockings week at Stockings Addict and everyone should be ready, by the way.) My most recent post about the roller derby was inspired by a conversation I had with Kevin in Texas. The roller derby wouldn't have been on my radar, otherwise.

This brings me to the beautiful pantyhose pictured above. Another Kevin, one with whom I've been corresponding for a little while (so we'll call him early-adopter Kevin), dropped me a note about some gorgeous hose he saw on a fashion blog that he thought I might like to share with everyone. It lead me to a site I hadn't run across before, LuxeLegwear, which carries lots of hosiery, but seems to have an especially nice European pantyhose selection. Picasso had his Blue Period, I seem to be in my Lusting After Metallics Period and the gorgeous pair of Vertigo Light pantyhose pictured above is doing a LOT to stimulate the stocking button.

Every pair has a little gold woven into the fibers, so the surface is very reflective and shimmery and I am just enough of a show-off to wear these to the supermarket. They're too pretty to keep in the drawer for special occasions. It's a sheer-to-waist pantyhose and comes in Nude, Berry and Black and I think it's probably extra beautiful because it's 10 denier, so nice and sheer. It comes in two sizes and fits up to 5"11/175 pounds.

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Roller Derby Fashion Statement

I have found my sport! Anything you can do while wearing roller skates and completely awesome patterned pantyhose and fishnets, sign me UP! So, if anyone is looking for me, I'm down at the roller rink, practicing my body slams, getting ready to move to Australia so that I can join the Victorian Roller Derby League.

I actually think I may have just ordered an identical pair of black and white striped tights as the skater in the center, but the order has yet to arrive. I'm ready! The girl on the left looks like she's getting ready for Fishnet Stockings Week over at Stockings Addict.

How I Became a Stocking Vixen

I always wore skirts much more than my friends growing up, mostly with knee socks in elementary school, then with various shades of pantyhose and tights when I was in high school. Not because of any fetish that I was aware of, I just gravitated that way, partially because my waist is a lot smaller than my hips and it used to be much harder to find pants that fit properly. I did always like finding interesting hose and I owned a lot of it and I did like looking at my legs a lot. I can remember lying on the couch in my rec room with my legs and feet up in the air just looking at them and thinking, "Are they pretty? I think they might be, but can I know?" in a very typical girl-becoming-a woman, kind of way. I have no idea if there was something latent in there. I suspect there must have been because of how crazy the Hosiery Monster went once I let her out of the cage.

I have always thought other female legs were gorgeous. When I was pretty young, I can remember reading an article in People magazine about three different women who each claimed she was the model for the For Your Eyes Only movie poster, and I saved that magazine for years and can remember scrutinizing it fairly often, partially because one of the women said that she had been studying her legs since she was five years old and knew every curve and had no doubt they had used her legs in the final poster (they hadn't).

I do know when the switch flipped in my head though and hosiery and shoes became truly very tingly-charged for me. I was in a Designer Shoe Warehouse, of all places, buying boots and an incredibly good-looking couple was one aisle over from me and the man was kneeling at the woman's feet helping her try on different styles of black knee boots and I could tell he was desperate for her to buy these boots. She was wearing jeans, but the leg was rolled up and she had on a pair of very dark, dense lace black hose (couldn't tell what type) and the poor guy was putting her boots on and very incredibly slowly zipping up the boots while cupping her calf and it was obviously all he could do not to lick his way up her leg. The tension in the air was incredible.

Her calf was very slender and they were trying on boot after boot because they were all too big and he ran around the store, almost in a panic, because he really wanted her to leave with some boots and she was visibly losing patience for the whole endeavor. It was obviously "his thing" and she didn't get it (except I do give her props for wearing hose under her jeans). I just sat on my little shoe-trying-on bench with one foot halfway in the Franco Sarto boot I was going to buy and tried not to stare too hard or climb over the shoes and ask if he'd put boots on me, too.

For some reason, I left there not fixated on boots so much, as really focused on hosiery. Maybe it's because the boots weren't working out for her, but she was already wearing the hosiery, I don't know, but after that I started rabidly collecting photographs of hosiery I found online and buying piles of it in stores, then garter belts, then shopping online because I wasn't satisfied with what I could find in brick-and-mortar stores. It was at the point that I realized I was spending hours every single day looking at photos of hosiery or trying on hosiery or plotting my next hosiery purchase, that I thought it might be a very good idea to start this blog. Especially since I enjoyed the thinking and looking and wearing I was doing so much.

So, that's how I became so obsessed with hosiery. I think hosiery is an endlessly fascinating subject and, recently, my focus has turned towards stockings and thigh highs more than anything else, possibly because they are slightly more novel to me, I'm not certain. They definitely feel sexy, so I don't really need to dissect it too much. I'm just very busy enjoying myself and obviously a good stocking tease is something that really turns my crank. Crank turning is a good thing in my book.

Stuck on Stockings

Okay, after having posted the Lise Charmel garter belt earlier today, I haven't been able to stop thinking about the stockings in that photo. Some very similar appear in white with this Waspie, too. I love it that the top is scalloped and lace-like, yet completely smooth. Both styles cross sophisticated and girly in a way I really adore, but I have no idea where these bad boys came from. If anyone has any ideas, or suggestions for lookalikes, I'd love to hear about them in the comments. Must have stockings!

P.S. I should mention that clicking on the photo will take you to a much larger version and it is pretty, pretty, pretty.

Eva Longoria's Stockings and Garter Belt Scene

Eva Longoria in stockings is something I'd never considered before. I don't watch Desperate Housewives, but maybe I should start if they have scenes like this one where Eva Longoria's husband puts her stockings on for her and the tension is palpable. I may have watched this about five times this morning, but I'm not signing anything. It just goes to show that sometimes the sexiest things leave almost everything to the imagination.

Stockings, Suspenders and Girdles, Oh My!

Here's a brief fashion show of stockings, suspenders and girdles by What Katie Did a London lingerie company built literally from the ground up on stockings by lingerie designer Katie Halford. In 1999 when she couldn't find seamed stockings at a non-ridiculous price, she ordered a bunch of stockings wholesale and sold them herself on a website. I have to admit, I really like her style.


Today, the company makes a full line of vintage-style hosiery, lingerie and corsets adapted for the modern woman from vintage patterns. Delicious is really the only word I can think of to adequately describe her collections. This fashion show is fun, though low on production values, and I love the way Girl #3 shakes it!

Love Me, Miss Dora

The words, "Love Me" in lace on the welt of a pair of beautiful black thigh high stockings...an endearment or a call to action?

More photos coming of these and the rest of the Stockings HQ package. These were all I've had time to take so far, but I plan to do more.

Star Trek, Stockings Addict and Bebaroque

I was catching up on some blog reading this evening and ran across an excellent run-down of the Bebaroque Spring/Summer 2009 collection at Stockings Addict, which I feel is one of the best hosiery/lingerie blogs out there. She focuses on higher-end merchandise and is always on top of the sales, as well as filled with great advice about how to get the look for less when the high price tag may not be warranted. Never boring, one of my favorite recent finds of hers was a Star Trek corset.


Today's post on how to beat the $210 price tag on a Stella McCartney bodysuit is a good example of how one can save money on the good stuff by reading Stockings Addict.

Fishnet Peace Offering

Since I was so naughty and didn't blog much at all the last few days, here's a photo of me in fishnet pantyhose and t-strap shoes from my personal archives. I think I took this last October or so. It's my peace offering to the wonderful people who read Stocking Vixen. Thank you and I'll be back tomorrow.

Stockings of the Day

I am fascinated by the hose made by bebaroque, the cleverly-named Scottish hosiery company. The designs are focused around hand embroidery and printed stockings and tights and are incredibly distinctive and much different than anything else I've seen on the market. What they sell is young, feminine, spunky, and fun with an edge. The stockings and thigh highs I've chosen above as Stockings of the Day, are from their Spring/Summer 2009 line, which is influenced by tattoo designs, nautical themes, lace, snakes, and features hose with embellishments like fringe and ruffles. They seem to be following the overall trend towards white stockings and tights that seems to be emerging for this spring and summer, though they have other colors on offer. Their tights are 80 denier and fit most people, including plus sizes.

As of today, I will be doing Stockings of the Week rather than Stockings of the Day, so I can focus more on other parts of the blog and spend time finding stockings that are really special for this feature. Please do not let the crying be mighty. This place will still be chock-a-block with images of legs and stockings and hose. I swear it on my legs.

Izabel Goulart in Black Stockings - Victoria's Secret

Izabel Goulart declares black stockings, "sexy" and not just for special occasions. I couldn't agree more. I also love the red thigh highs she's sporting in the photo below. I love how they look like a cross between a trouser sock and a stocking. I'd love to get my mitts on a pair in white. Also, HOLY COW, does she ever have an amazing heiny (not much gets past me). Notice the tights and suede boots on the photographer to her right, also, very cute.

The Seductive Power of Stockings

A wonderfully whimsical cartoon commercial from a German hosiery manufacturer that shows men drawn helplessly to Dolores and her beautiful bestockinged legs. I love the scene at about 1:38 where the men are blissfully hugging her ankles.