Wednesday Medley

Terri's questions this week....

NATIONAL NYLON STOCKING DAY

National Nylon Stocking Day is observed across the country each year on May 15.

Many may not remember ever hearing the term “nylon stockings.” Varying in color, design, and transparency, a nylon stocking (also known as hose) is a close-fitting, variously elastic garment worn the same as socks or tights.

Stockings worn before the 1890s were made of woven cloth such as cotton, linen, wool or silk.   Before the 1920s, women’s stockings were worn for warmth.  As hemlines of women’s dresses rose in the 1920s, women began to wear stockings over their exposed legs.  These 1920s stockings were sheer, made first of silk or rayon, followed by nylon after 1940.

Chemical company DuPont’s introduction of nylon in 1939 began a high demand for stockings in the United States.  As nylon stockings were inexpensive, durable and shear, up to 4 million pairs would be purchased each day.

On February 11, 1942, as America entered World War II, DuPont ceased production of nylon stockings and switching their focus to the manufacture of parachutes, airplane cords and rope.  This created a mass shortage followed by a black market for stockings.  At the end of World War II, DuPont resumed production of the stockings but could not meet the demand leading to nylon riots in American stores. In time, DuPont was able to increase its output.

In the 1940s and 1950s, the first pantyhose made its appearance.  Film and theater productions had stockings sewn to the briefs of actresses and dancers, as seen in popular films such as Daddy Long Legs. Unlike stockings, pantyhose did not require a garter belt to hold the stockings up.

Pantyhose were introduced in 1959, providing a convenient alternative to stockings which led to a decline in their sales.  In 1970, for the first time, United States sales of pantyhose exceeded stocking sales and has remained the same ever since.   In 1987, there was a slight decline in sales in pantyhose due to the newly invented hold-ups. However, they remain the most purchased kind of hosiery.

1.  Do you (men don't have to answer) ever wear stockings today?

 I've never worn "stockings", I've only worn pantyhose.  And yes, I still do, when the occasion arises.

2.  Terri can remember her mom wearing hose with the seam in the back.  Do you have any memories of those?  During the war, when stockings were scarce, women would draw a line on their legs to simulate wearing stockings!  How far would you go to superficially fake something today?

I remember my mom and aunts wearing stockings and garter belts.I couldn't tell you if the stockings had seams, though.

Hmmm...interesting question..."faking it"... I mean, we all wear makeup, and a lot of us dye our hair...I've seen (but have never used) makeup for your legs ... and then there's the spray-on tan....

3.  Women actually rioted after WWII because Dupont couldn't keep up with the demand for nylon stockings!  Is there anything today you would riot for if the supply dried up (other than basic food and water needs)?

Another interesting question...lack of chocolate might induce me to riot....or maybe coffee...

4.  Pantyhose were first called Panty Legs.  I'm sure we all have worn pantyhose at one time or another (again, men don't have to answer). Do you still have a pair or three in a drawer?  Do you wear them?

In the 80's, when I first started working, "business attire" in my office meant I wore a skirt suit, blouse (usually with shoulder pads and a big bow), pantyhose and pumps.  The world has moved on to "business casual" for the most part, but there are occasions when I still have to suit up.  So yes, I still wear pantyhose (but not shoulder pads or blouses with bows).

I've noticed that a lot of younger women prefer tights.  Or bare legs.  I remember, back in the early 60's, my mom's friend was a substitute teacher.  She went to work one very hot day in June wearing a skirt and shoes but no hosiery, and was told her attire was "unprofessional".  How times have changed.

5.  This is also National Chocolate Chip Day.  Perhaps chocolate is something to riot for if we ran out?  Joe's favorite cookie is chocolate chip.  What is yours?

Yeah, I see I'm not the only one willing to riot for chocolate.

Favorite cookie?  From the supermarket, probably Milanos.  From the bakery, rainbow cookies or chocolate-dipped lace cookies.

6.  Please share something with us about your week.

I got an interesting present from my daughters for Mother's Day:

A little self serving, I think...but judge for yourselves ....