Could I pull these Black Milk Stockings Off?

Whenever I stumble upon interesting hosiery, I obsess over whether or not I will be able to pull them off as a look...This pair from Black Milk are no exception. 

These Nylon and Lycra blend "stockings" come with an attached garter belt. They are bubble gum pink and will run you around $120. I personally LOVE them...and would totally wear them to work-since I rarely go clubbing these days...or ever.

I could see them paired with my fifties style shirt dress, and a string of Aura Borealis Swarovski crystal beads...

Black Milk has an interesting collection of hosiery, bodysuits and bathing suits. Something to bring out everyone's individuality. 

The British Invasion

Perfect for this Friday's Upcoming Nuptials

 

Les Puces de Paris

In Paris there is no shortage of great shopping. I do not limit myself to only buying hosiery but unique items that one can’t find even in NYC.

Les Puces de Paris, a fantastic Market on the outskirts of the city, has some of the most interesting shopping in Paris. You can find everything from Art Deco Lamps, Vintage Ricard water jugs, vintage hosiery and estate Jewelry. My favorite purchase is by far my leather trench coat. It makes me feel like an undercover super-hero Indiana Jones meets Wonder Woman. However  I think my super hero name would be Stocking Girl, but that might just be too cliché.

I am always on the quest to add to my vintage hosiery collection. As you could imagine, vintage hosiery is hard to come by. Since the nylon used in  hosiery is delicate and disintegrate over time.

The Nylon that is used in modern hosiery was developed during WW 2 when there were storage of silk. The silk was being used for other more important things, like parachutes for the soldiers, which they also replaced with NYLON. The word Nylon is said to come from the combining the names of the founding cities NY for New York and LON for London. Debatable- Some say it came from the scientist combining the words for Rayon and Cotton...

Silk was very limited in the way that it could be used for hosiery. Basics that are still made today are seamed and unseamed fully fashioned stockings. The use of NYLON in weaving techniques have allowed for more intricate designs and lower prices.

My hold-ups today are from Calzedonia a beautiful diamond pattern.

Gerbe-Laçage Collants

There is nothing better then unveiling a brand new pair of tights for a special occasion. Today I had something special happening so I decided to wear my new pair of Gerbe Laçage Tights that I purchased in the hosiery store "Elegance" in Penn Station, one of the best hosiery stores, and until now, one of the best kept secerts in the whole of New York City!

Gerbe is a French brand that I first discovered in Paris. They have some of the most exciting trends in tights. They have been extremely hard to hard to find in the US  until recently, and they even have a new and improved website! Gerbe has something for everyone-they make fully fashioned stockings, to the best opaque black tights, sun kissed tights for those days before you legs are tan and even hosiery for men.

The Gerbe Laçage tights are part of their Limited Edition Collection. Their limited editions are only out for a year or until they sell out so you have to make an instant decision not to miss out. I have miss out on many pairs throughout the years, which when you are a "collector" like me can be frustrating. After waiting for the perfect occasion to wear my Gerbe Laçage Tights, and receiving a few double takes and compliments, I snagged them on the knee. So they are going straight back itno my collection before anything else can happen to these real one of a kind.

Laçage translates to "Lacing"

These Tights have the apperence of a Tall Lace Up boot!

Stand out with these Great Damask and Cream Tights

On most days I consider my hosiery the center piece of my outfit. I first pick my hosiery and then create an outfit around it. With some of my more ornate pairs, this usually means something completely black and basic. So not to take away from the beauty of the hosiery. Today, I went with a complete deco look with a great pair of cream tights, from Anthropologie.

I fell in love with these tights the first time I saw them on line in October of 2010. To me the only problem was that they are white and thick Cotton! Then when I finally got around to seeing them in person I discovered they are more cream and a cotton blend. So I took the plunge and purchased them. After purchasing them they sat in my new purchase bin waiting for the right day to debut!

The tights have a beautiful Damask pattern going up the front and the back of the leg, so it's very important that they remained straight on the leg. Sometimes with cotton blend tights, that are one size fits all that it can be a little difficult. The cream color automatically draws your eye to the tights so keeping my outfit simple, left the tights to make a statement.

A special thanks to Max who took all of these photos!

He is only 3.5 but he already has a great eye!

How awsome are these Wolford Marlene Tights

I recently found these at Tights Please. They are from  Wolford simply named Marlene. Like most Wolford pieces they are ridiculously priced, which doesn't mean I don't want them...It just means I can't buy them as an impulse purchase.

This pair of seamed tights has a nostalgic flare with back seams and a unique detail at the heal of a hand. A twist on the traditional Cuban healed stockings. The hand looks like it has drawn the "seam" down the back of the leg just like my grandmothers used to have to do during the rationing during WW2.

Seams of Keyholes-Love Me

Today's Hold Ups are from the brand LOVE ME special line Manga. Manga is a special "Japanese" collection with cute Anime Style Pin Ups instead of the normal Pin Up beauties they use on their packages. This brand is from France and are now available on-line (not that I want to give my secret away)....I couldn't believe the amount of compliments that I received on this pair. They are sexy and understated at the same time. A woman on the train this morning asked me wear I bought them, which is so rare for my commute...

I bought them in Galeries Lafayette in Paris last year. The Galeries Lafayette has an entire floor dedicated to hosiery and intimate apparel. Which can seem overwhelming, but not to me.  I just recruited my friend Laura Angela to pick me up a few pairs before she comes to visit in March, since the brand's website is running low.

I have been thinking about Paris a lot recently. We were last there in February of 2010, and I know its been only a year but I really over due for a visit. Not just for the great hosiery and the amazing food but for the great antique markets and beautiful atmosphere! I would move to Paris in a flash, and worry about learning to speak French after. I know the all the words I need to know; collat (hosiery) and cafe!

I paired this amazing find with my new Eileen Fisher top I bought at the sample sale this week at work, my favorite black pencil skirt and my Frye T-Straps.

Wolford Paloma Tights

No people my tights are not on backwards! They are from Wolford circa 2009. I bought them at Bergdorf Goodman and every time I wear them people feel the need to tell me that they are on the wrong way round . The look is reminiscent of the seamed stockings of the 30s and 40s, however the other way around- A twist on a classic if you like. 


They are not stockings but tights, and the seams are a gorgeous Royal Purple-just in time for the nuptials on the other side of the pond. I prefer pairing them with a simple shift dress to give a retro feel look, with a modern attitude. 

Every time I wear a pair of "seamed" stockings or tights I always think of the movie "Some Like it Hot" one of my all time favorites. Everything you need to know about wearing seamed hosiery can be summed up in one line uttered by Marilyn Monroe's character Sugar Cane "Are my seams straight?"  followed by Jack Lemon's character Daphne quick retort- "I'll Say!"....

...An honest question with a sly riposte...

That movie also also taught me how to walk in high heels