FULLY FASHIONED STOCKINGS 1930s~1960s

FULLY FASHIONED STOCKINGS 1930s~1960s

One of the key elements for lovers of vintage pin-ups, glamour and risque photography are legs, especially when adorned with fully fashioned nylon stockings. As one of the great Parisian photographers of the genre, Serge Jacques, said to me many years ago "...the model MUST be wearing stockings AND a garter belt...without the two it is not possible to make a seductive photograph." His photographs, published in Paris~Hollywood magazine in the 1960s, attested to his passion for hosiery and garters and enhanced my appreciation for stockinged legs.

What follows are a sampling of photos from a collection I assembled of fully fashioned stockings I sold many years ago. Fully fashioned stockings hold a particular fetish for many men and women. They can be identified by these distinctive features: i) a re-enforced band ("welt") at the top (often decorative) to support the garter belt clasps ii) a "keyhole" design at the back of the band iii) a line at the "seam" on  the back in a darker color to stand out and iv) a dark colored heel and sole, often referred to as a "cuban heel". Sometimes, in addition, an extravagant design element would be added at the heel/ankle area, no doubt a style to be worn on that special night out!

(above) Stocking box, circa early 1940s with pin-up illustration

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Serge Jacques FRENCH NUDES '60s Garters Hose + Pubes

Here are some of my favorite French models, circa the late 1960s, showing all without ever removing their garter belts and stockings! For lovers of the genre and the period, the seductiveness of the models and their lingerie are tell tale signs that the photos were created by Serge Jacques.

Jacques, a great French photographer of the female nude during the 1960s, '70s and '80 was one of the main contributors to the pages of Paris ~ Hollywood magazine, arguably one of the most seductive men's magazines every published.  All these images, contemporary prints made form the original 1960s negatives, are by Jacques. Note the two at the end of the French porn star (in a dark wig), Brigitte Lahain.

click any image to enlarge

 

Brigitte Lahain

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GARTER BELTS & STOCKINGS Men's Magazines 1960s

In the early 1960s what was emerging from the publishers of men's magazines was to desire for much more than nudity. The response was a variety of titles from major publishers focusing on models initially posed in very sexy lingerie: garter belts, stockings, panties, bras, girdles, corsets and high heels. To that end Sampson, Selbee, Health Knowledge and Parliament created titles that brought the contents, first explored in the "fetish" digests (Exotique, Bizarre) of the late 1950s, into full-size magazines.

Here is a sampling of some of the best titles of the the era, circa 1963 ~ 1965. Above the penultimate Focus on Bettie Page featuring Bettie cover to cover plus French Spice, Pepper, High Heels, Scarlet, Nylon Mood, Satana, Go and Black Satin.

click any image to enlarge

 Margaret Middleton cover

 Brandy Long cover

 Francine Young cover

Vickie Kennedy (aka Margaret Nolan) cover

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ELMER BATTERS Early Years Black Silk Stockings 1950s

The precursor to the Parliament heels and hose genre of magazines were the magazines self-published by Elmer Batters in the late 1950s. Batters was ahead of his time, focusing on what he personally was obsessed with and eventually everyone else (the big, slick magazines publishers) caught on. Here are Sheer Delights, Leg-O-Rama and Black Silk Stockings featuring some of his favorite girls from his stable of models. Always great photographs cover to cover. Batters later years at Parliament will follow in a separate post.

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