Back to the Future With 80's Pantyhose

We're not going to discuss how it feels to hear clothing from my early teens referred to as "vintage," but the highly enjoyable blog, Couture Allure Vintage Fashion, has posted about the similarities between hosiery shown for Fall 2009 and legwear from the Decade of Greed. The ones above remind me of the infamous $900 Rodarte leggings (this link goes to some ideas for avoiding paying that much).

Designers brought us all kinds of patterned hosiery on the runways for Fall 2009. From textured tights with ribbing and stripes to lace and fishnets to florals and polka dots, it seems solid color stockings and tights are outré this season. But my dears, once more, what's old is new again. May I present patterned hosiery from Fall 1984.

There are three more images over at Couture Allure and, like many people, I remember owning several pairs of polka-dotted pantyhose like the ones she shows on her blog. Feeling nostalgic, I bought a pair of nude on nude polka-dotted hose earlier this year and ended up looking as though I had a skin condition. I think the ones in the 80's worked well because of contrast, as well as color. I'll remember that when I shop this fall.

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.