Vintage Nylon Stockings
07.31.06 By Deanna Dahlsad
“In just a handful of years, vintage nylons will completely disappear from the face of the earth,” says vintage stocking collector Steve, who also runs Stocking Showcase. And that’s enough motivation for him and others like him.
But aside from the stockings themselves, and perhaps pinups, what is there for collectors to covet in the realm of vintage stockings?
Vintage nylon stockings have a history as long and lovely as their back seams, for it took twelve years and $27 million to create, refine and develop the industrial processes for nylon.
This naturally leaves a paper trail for collectors who desire to document the birth of nylon.
Du Pont chemist Wallace Hume Carothers invented Fiber 66 — or nylon as we now call it — and it made its debut on the lovely legs of Miss Chemistry at the World’s Fair in 1939.
Miss Chemistry emerged from a test tube, a testament to modern science. (She may not have been a test tube baby, but she was a test tube babe!)
This same exhibit of Miss Chemistry and her test tube was shown again at the 1939 Golden Gate Exposition in San Francisco, and the theme was often repeated in advertising as well.
Collectors desire such early photographs and items showing Miss Chemistry, such as the Du Pont publication shown below. Some collectors have even started collecting World’s Fair memorabilia for its connections to nylon’s debut.
Nylons went on sale to the general public in May 15, 1940, aka N-day. In that first year, DuPont sold 64 million pairs of stockings. That year much nylon was used to create the tornado in the movie “The Wizard of Oz.” (I’m sure many a vintage nylon stocking collector would love to get their hands on that tornado!)
Not long after N-Day, “Nylon Mania” ensued. In part because Du Pont spared little expense in promoting nylon, but also because nylon was a thrilling ‘modern marvel’, the product of science. Ads from this time period are plentiful, and pretty to display.
Of course, World War II meant Du Pont would cease its nylon stocking production to meet wartime needs. They produced parachutes, airplane tire cords, and glider tow ropes for the military, and some collectors also seek these items to preserve the integrity of this time period. The nylon stocking shortage created such a demand in the US that women began paying as much as $20 on the black market for stockings which had previously cost just over one dollar. This time is referred to as “Stocking Panic”.
Stocking Panic was so intense that nylon stockings made the new. For example, police in Chicago ruled out robbery as a motive in a murder case just because six pair of nylon stockings (that would be $120 worth of valuable property) had been left at the scene of the crime. Collectors love to get such news clippings.
In August of 1945, a mere eight days after Japan’s surrender, Du Pont announced that it would immediately return to producing nylon stockings. Thus ends “Stocking Panic” — and begins “Nylon Riots”.
The riots began because Du Pont could not make the wartime conversions fast enough to keep up with consumer demands. Nylons once again made newspaper headlines as women, who had been standing in line for hours were turned away without even seeing the stockings, began to fight and riot. Collectors love the headlines, sure, but the photographs are most sought after.
It took until March of 1946 for Du Pont to meet consumer demand and end the “Nylon Riots.” But by then, Du Pont wasn’t using nylon only for fashion hosiery. Now Du Pont’s advertising featured a woman in a nylon dress, and nylon was adopted for use in lingerie and foundation garments. Many vintage nylon stocking collectors willingly accept these ads, and even the garments themselves, into their collections. And why not? Just as stockings do not make the whole outfit, neither are they the entire story.
All black and white photographs courtesy of the Hagley Museum and Library.
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Article Tags: Dupont, Fiber 66, Miss Chemistry, nylon, stockings, vintage, Worlds Fair================
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February 4th, 2007 at 2:51 am
need some pics of nylon….PLZ
April 29th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
hello, i love the “quote” vintage nylons,for me well it all stated after the war ,i was born after WWII thats when nylons were nylons most every woman wore them.
and thats why im writing ,im so happy i found this site ,i have always wanted to tell someone how much i love nylons,oh ! sure the pantyhose and the thigh hghs are very popular,nothing but nothing beats a real pair of nylons on my legs.women that don’t wear them have never put a pair on,when i put my frist pair on up my legs ,it was the most interesting feeling,its many emontions.i am 60 yrs of age ,i still wear them today,i love the backseam,very sexy!,i wear any kind of nylons i can find ,but i really preffer the real nylons that cost so damm much now
sure they cost alot now ,if i want to wear them i have to pay the price.
i will alawys wear nylons ,as long as my fingers can hook the garter clips
i wiill probaly die wearing them and be buried with my favorite pair on.
thank you, frances campbell
August 6th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Dear Francis, Like you Iam a child of the fifties and can remember women rushing to the stocking counter at the local department stores to take advantage of the stocking sales. Many would put them on right out in public, it made for a great viewing for a young boy. Now that Iam 59 yoa, I still love to see real women wearing stockings and appreciate the empowerment it gives them. Keep up the great work on the website, love hear back from you. Regards, Steve N.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
[...] Ben Ullman to me show details Sep 10 (2 days ago) http://www.collectorsquest.com/blog/2006/07/31/vintage-nylon-stockings/ [...]
October 12th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Great to find this post! Such an interesting piece of history. (that Brubaker blog trackback above is mine…)
My Grandmother, Kaye Brubaker, according to her obituary was “Miss Nylon” at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. Anyone know if that is a different role than the “Miss Chemistry” mentioned above, or if the names were interchangeable…? (I don’t believe that is her in any of the photos above, but I suppose several models shared the duties…) In, the photo I have of her in the role, she wears an evening gown (not showing much leg at all), so perhaps it was a different role…
October 15th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Hi Ben,
No I don’t know if Miss Chemistry was a different title than Miss Nylon… In my research, I had the feeling that the two names were different things, such as Miss Chemistry was perhaps the grande official announcement and Miss Nylon was in effect several models who ‘worked’ the booth/display at the fair. Or vica-versa.
I suspect the only way to know for certain would be to research the archive materials at the Hagley Museum and Library. (I did ask via the phone, but the attendant wasn’t clear either, so actual research would likely be required.)
If either were my grandma, I’d sure contact them and see what they can find out! And I’d love to see the photo!
March 1st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Hi, do you sell vintage nylon stockings, the 1960’s style? Harry.
March 4th, 2008 at 12:21 am
I have a tool my Father used to repair my Mother’s stockings in the late 40’s early 50’s. Wondering if this is a known stocking repair tool or if it was just something my Father had adapted for this use. It resembles a very small rug hook. If you can supply any information about stocking repair and tools during this time period, I would appreciate it.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:50 am
[...] and 27 million to create, … Many vintage nylon stocking collectors willingly accept these ads, …http://www.collectorsquest.com/blog/2006/07/31/vintage-nylon-stockings/Making more out of less - Sydney Morning HeraldA new twist to an old outfit can be as simple as [...]
July 14th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
We are a nice family business since 1953 and have several hundred vintage nylon stockings in original boxes. The packaging is beautiful.
Front: Nice lady illustration in high heals
“flatering Seamless Stretch stockings.” “the miracle knit that really fits
*NO MORE WRINKLES
*THE MOST COMFORTABLE
STOCKING YOU’VE EVER WORN
Back: Too much to write : Washing instructionsAll Nylon, verbage is unbelievable.
Mfg by LASSITER
What are these worth? Suggestions?? Thank you.
paul@maxformal.com
July 30th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Hello,I have been looking for a black nylon dress like the one in the dupont ad.It seems impossible to find,who knows where I can buy it,victoria.
August 26th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
To Paul:
Stretch stockings are valuable to those who need more study stockings for things like wearing under jeans, working at a job with a lot of motion, and perhaps even men. I think they could sell for at least $7 to $12 each on eBay. Hard to tell. You can find out by putting up auctions. The packaging counts, very valuable to collectors. You might want to sell them in larger quantities and show photos of the packaging.
I have about 400 pair of the slinky 15 denier stockings by Kayser and at least 50 pair of stretch, from a family store going out of business. I need to sell them, and the supply of vintage stockings is definitely shrinking, based on what I can find to buy out on the web. For example, the supply at Stocking Showcase has diminished compared to two years ago.
Good luck!
AV
ardensfca@comcast.net
August 28th, 2008 at 1:48 am
I have some vintage sakes fifth avenue christain dior and cuban heel stockings for sale garter belts too
sawo@earthlink.net
September 8th, 2008 at 10:18 am
I’m interested in buying all types of nylons, preferably larger sizes. Please email with list and price wanted. Thank you.
September 8th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Top listing is blynndale@comcast.net
September 18th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Have a large selection of vintage nylons available in various sizes from all the top lines of the past. Full fashioned and seamless, Haines, Berkshire, Schiparelli, Triumph, Glamour Girl, Bell Sharmer, etc. $45.00 per box (3 pairs per box) brand new original packing, etc. Contact Kars3n24@comcast.net.
October 20th, 2008 at 6:56 am
[...] Now I just sit and wait while Hooley and his cohorts add the image (along with an image of a woman having fake stocking seams painted on) to one of the panels. The images are to appear on a panel called “Home Front Sacrifices”, which will cover such things as victory gardens, conservation, and rationing — including the story of nylon stockings in the war effort. [...]