Original Nylon and Stockings

What makes original nylon different than nylon today?
In 1964, DuPont introduced a reprocessed nylon fiber called Cantrece, a nylon that stretches. This was the first reprocessing of the original nylon specifically for the hosiery market. Agilon was the first nylon to have "stretch" but it was just a process that put a curl to the fiber. Nylon has since been reprocessed several times. The problem is the word nylon is used for all types of the nylon fiber but original nylon, called nylon 6,6 does not stretch. The one disadvantage of nylon 6,6 was many different stocking sizes had to be created to fit all the different shapes of legs - a major inventory nightmare. Another fiber called Lycra was invented and blended with nylon to add durability. This is not to say that nothing was compromised in the reprocess of nylon. The original nylon stocking has been imitated for many years but never matched.

The only way to see and feel the difference in nylon is to try a pair of original nylon stockings - Try It, You'll Like It!


There is a process that allows flat knit stockings to have a little stretch - this is from Alexis4u.com: Mesh or some may call it non run is made in a non symmetrical stitch. The stitch pattern is in blocked area's so if one thread in a given area is broken it will only effect it's own area. Flat knit is perfectly symmetrical like a grid pattern, if one thread is broken it will be pulled out of the stocking at the opposite ends. Stretch is not only due to the pattern but the technique in the finishing of a stocking. This technique leaves the stockings in a bunch or loosely pressed condition so it will have stretch. Once the stocking is stretched it will be smooth and hopefully smoother feeling. Some times it will not be smooth feeling due to finishing difficulties such as: PH unbalanced dying, to much heat in the dye bath, too long in the bath, no conditioning after the dye bath and many more conditions that the nylon can be subject to.


How to Wear Stockings by Daryl and friends
(This article has been posted to a few websites by the author starting in 2002. Since then it has been copied and reposted to other websites, sometimes without credit. The posting here is with the author’s permission.)

To wear stockings, you need a garter belt (in Europe the accessory is call a suspender). Good garter belts are comfortable and don't cost much more than the little lacy ones that are not practical for long wear. Worn on top of the hip, garter belts are usually 4 to 6 inches in length; measured from top to bottom (this measurement does not include the straps). The 8-inch garter belt has recently become popular. Wider garter belts, called full or girdlette (10 to 12 inches), can offer support for the waistline. Girdles, corsets and waist cinchers are other articles of lingerie that can have straps for stockings. You can easily incorporate stockings with different lingerie.

The straps from the garter belt attach to the stocking by clasps. The more straps, the better. The more straps used, the smoother the stocking will look and on that rare occasion a clasp breaks, there would be no sag in your stocking. Metal clasps are better than plastic ones. Be sure the straps are adjustable so you can custom fit the amount of tension on the stocking. Most stockings have a top area that is thicker than the stocking itself. This is called the Welt and the clasps are attached to the welt. Don't substitute thigh highs for stockings because the thick rubber can bend the clasps. Stretch stocking wearers can use a four-strap garter belt but non-stretch stockings work better with at least six straps.

A good starting point for strap adjustment is to make the back straps 2 inches longer than the front straps and 1 inch longer than the side straps. Some garter belts are cut / shaped longer in the back than in the front to help in this area because when you sit down there is a farther distance to go on your back side to reach the stocking. When standing, there should be a slight pull on the stockings but the word here is slight (over pull will either damage the stocking or cause the garter belt to slide down). If you are wearing stretch stockings, you can keep the straps tighter, letting the stocking do some of the give.

The first few times you wear stockings, wear them around the house for a while before you leave to be sure you have everything adjusted properly. If you are wearing a short skirt, be sure to sit down and see if the stockings are long enough.

The most important rule is: don't look at the pictures. If you wear panties, put them on LAST. Think about going to the bathroom. If you have your stockings and garter belt over your panties, then you have to remove everything to go to the bathroom.

Rules for stockings are the same as for pantyhose: No jagged finger nails and toe nails. Remove rings if they are not smooth. Hands should be smooth or wear hosiery gloves. Roll the stocking down into an O-shape, place your thumbs inside, and then start unrolling it over the foot and up the leg (pointing toes, foot forward helps). Hand wash them by gently swishing and squeezing the stockings (don't rub or twist) in lukewarm water using a product like Woolite (another great product is Hosiery Mate, and you don't need to rinse). Rinse in clean water, gently squeezing. Then lay it out flat on a towel to dry (room temperature, away from direct heat). You can also use a drying tree.

To keep your stockings from twisting, attach the straps straight down from the garter belt and attach the back straps first. This helps to keep the stocking straight (even ones without a seam). If you are wearing seamed stockings, place the back strap in line with the seam (seamed stockings are best worn with 6 or more straps which will keep the seam straight). Try sitting down, which makes it easier to attach the back straps. Another trick is not to pull the garter belt all the way up until you have attached the straps to the stockings. Better yet, have a friend/spouse/partner attach the back strap for you. If you are wearing Full Fashion stockings, do not put the clasp in the finishing hole (this is a weak area of the stocking).

Most Internet sites that sell stockings give very good information about their stockings and sizing but you may have to try different brands/styles to get the perfect fit. So don't buy six pairs because you get a price break until you know they fit properly.

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