Guides In Dating Vintage Hosiery

There are a lot of interesting things about vintage hosiery, their unique fabrics, flattering silhouettes, meticulous knittings, and of course history. Only few, however, take interest in digging deep into the history of a given vintage item. They know it is from the past, but where exactly in the past, they are clueless. Remember that the ability to date vintage hosiery saves you from purchasing fake ones.

How sure are you that a garment is an authentic vintage piece and not just something that is made to look like one? Every vintage-loving person, whether a collector or a fashionista, should be skilled in dating vintage hosiery items. The following are some possible guides.

Try looking up fashion history books. Fortunately, a lot of books written by unfailing authors are available today. make an investment and get yourself copies. You can also check websites that have extensive and interesting presentations on the fashion plates for every decade. Study the styles and silhouettes and notice their differences. Take also a closer look at the prevailing lifestyle at any given decade and the subsequent trends when looking up vintage hosiery.

What were the the largest part of stylish fabrics in the 1930's? What were the fashion innovations provoked by way of World War II in the 1940's? How were the stockings in the 1950's? This may be too overwhelming a task, but this is a rosy starting point. Keep in mind that in terms of dating vintage hosiery, nothing can replace your knowledge of the fashion history.

Many people take seams as clues in dating vintage hosiery. Once upon a time all stockings had seams. Without them they'd fall apart. Then some luminous scintilla invented a circular knitting machine and it was the start of the end of an era. As a general rule, pay attention to other indications of age such as trimmings, fabrics, and silhouettes. It is said that the seams in mass produced items during the 1950's were pinked, although those more expensive and possibly haute couture had overcast, welted, or Frenched seams. It was also in the same decade that over-lock seams were made in lingerie, which were in the end carried out in other garments in the 1960's. Seams may not accurately point you to the date your vintage garment was created, therefore consider other factors.

You may date a vintage item wrongly in your first experiences. The vintage silk stocking you thought was from the 30's was in fact from the 50's. But don't be discouraged; dating vintage hosiery requires a lot of practice.