Dear readers,

I’m delighted to introduce myself. My name is Julia, I’m studying International Business and working part-time for Vicky’s Nylons. I’m almost 30 years old – which really isn’t old – but I’ve never worn nylon stockings, garters, or garter belts – or whatever other terms come to mind. Fact is, never once, and I don’t even know why I haven’t tried. But now I have a wonderful task that will take some time: to find out everything interesting about nylons. And I’d be thrilled if you’d join me, whether as a passive reader or an active participant through comments, suggestions, questions, criticism…

Now, let’s get down to business: nylons! Yes, nylons, not garters. ‘Stockings’ is also okay, but I think we’ll start with an explanation and differentiation of the most common ‘hosiery’ items:

Nylons/Nylon Stockings: Are stockings made of polyamide, colloquially called nylon or Perlon. In Europe, stockings used to be made with Perlon, and in the USA with nylon. However, nylon has become the prevailing term. The density of the knit is specified in denier.

Seam: In the past, nylons were produced in two parts and had to be sewn together, creating the seam. Today, circular knitting machines allow for seamless nylons to be manufactured. The seam has therefore become a fashionable detail.

Heel: The heel is an important component of nylons. Firstly, the heel is a particularly stressed area, which is why the heel and sole, and often the toes, are reinforced. However, the reinforcement also serves as an eye-catcher, and there are many different designs; here’s a small example:

Runguard/Welt/Finishing Loop: These are small but subtle details on the nylon, which further differentiate the nylons from each other.

Garters/Garter Strap: These are terms that are very often confused with the nylons themselves. The garter is the strap that holds the nylon in place. Nothing more, nothing less. Garters are attached to garter belts and have a clip at the lower end that attaches to the stocking. Here too, there are several variations. Metal clips or plastic clips, adjustable garters or non-adjustable, long, short, thick, thin… Sometimes only one clip is attached to the tapering garter belt, as shown here:

or extended with the garter strap:

or without extra tailoring, simply the garter sewn to the belt:

Garter (band): We usually know the garter from weddings, when the groom is allowed to elegantly remove it from the lady’s leg. Today it is only worn for fashion purposes, but in the past, however, it served both women and men to hold up stockings.

Garter Belt: The garter belt is the most important element next to the nylon. It is essentially a belt that sits on the waist with sewn-on garters, which then (instead of the garter band) hold the nylons. There are various designs and details that I would like to discuss separately, but for now, the most important types are the girdle garter belt, the garter belt, and the pull-on.

A girdle sounds unsexy, and I must confess, most of them are, but there are actually really beautiful, sexy girdles too. A girdle always means it’s a tight-fitting, shaping fabric, and thus usually a bit thicker and opaque. And of course, for something to shape, it must also cover the areas it is meant to shape. This is probably why many people consider girdles unsexy. But believe me, there are also beautiful garter belts that do your figure some good.

But moving on to the garter belt: this usually has an adjustable closure at the back, whether hook-and-eye fasteners or buttons, ties or a zipper.

In contrast, a pull-on garter belt is particularly elastic and has no closure; it is simply ‘pulled on’.

You can also find more details under Info

Twice a month, I get to share my life and experiences with nylon stockings with you. You can read my research and hopefully answers to questions I ask myself or that you ask me.

Well, I have a pair of nylons lying here, waiting to be put on. But what do I need to pay attention to? Should I wear gloves? Do I need to shave my legs freshly beforehand? Are there fabrics that stick to the nylons or destroy them? Should I put them on sitting, standing, or lying down? And what exactly is nylon?

As you can see, I have a lot to do! The answers will follow soon.

Your Julia