Bye bye 2009... hello 1940?

Hello again my fellow stylistas.

Is today really the last day in 2009?

Let's finish of this year with another awesome find/post.

Before that, i hope you've been having a wonderful holiday and that your sweet temperaments equaled many gifts and goodies under the tree. Soon this holiday madness will be behind us (Sad!) but to fill the void many after holiday deals and steals will be appearing (Yay!).

Remember, don't just go out there and spend on the random, spend on pieces that will enhance your wardrobe and dress up your old looks to make them new again.

........

One item i have been crazy about is a classic piece from the past that had returned in a big way, reiterating the truth that classic items DO remain 'timeless' over the years. What is this lovely, sexy, classy item i can't get enough of and just had to get my hands on this season?

(me )
The 1940's back seam tights.


I seriously hadn't seen these since the last time i popped "Gentleman prefer Blonds" into the DVD player. Those of you who enjoy 1940's, old Hollywood films, like "White Christmas" or "The Band Wagon" will notice these tights on the dancers and leading ladies through out the film!

(Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe movie still)

BRIEF HISTORY
Back seam stockings came into style in the early 1920's and were originally made of Silk like most hosiery of this time. It wasn't till 1935 that Dr. Wallace Hume Carothers invented the nylon fiber. After a few years of refining the nylon fiber, it was released into the commercial world. New nylon hosiery then took a whole life of its own when they appeared in stores in the early 1940's as it became a hot ticket item.

(Old Dutchmaid Hosiery ad from the 1920's - click to enlarge)

With the Great Depression of 1929 and WWII (which lasted from 1939 to 1945) the production of this new nylon hosiery just about stopped in the united states. Nylon was now being used for military purposes for making tents, tiers, ropes and ponchos.

So much was happening in our little country that its no wonder that nylon hosiery production was put in the back burner. This didn't mean the demand for them wasn't around though.


(Kay Bensel drawing in the seam-line on "Makeup" stockings)
Actually women still craved to own the popular nylon look. Not all women could afford this small luxury so many became resourceful and would use make up to give the elision of the Back Seam found on the highly demanded Nylon tights (Picture above).


Many designers when designing find inspiration from the past. I got curious and did some research on how this 'back seam' has inspired hosiery of today.


JONATHAN ASTON

The famous UK based hosiery brand, Jonathan Aston, has recently come out with some tights that totally fall into this category. Below are some of my favorites they have designed in the past 2 years which were inspired by this "back seam" look.

(Yellow Spotted - Purple Lace - Pink Spotted)
I KNOW, how FaBulOuS are these right?

These seriously are a 'must own'.
Click the links above the picture to reach these coveted links.


Anyway,

I love that the classic 'back seam tight' really is a part of our history and the fact that its coming back says a lot about its timeless and historic importance in fashion.

Get your pair today and add that subtle classic sexiness that will make your garment stand out this season.



TheStyleManor