How Much Leg? Too Much Leg?

April 19, 2024 by Patrice

It is insignificant, but I rarely wear stockings because they’re so difficult to put on. The effort, sweat, and struggle to get these fishnets on is exhausting! I have to take breaks to avoid tearing them with my nails and stretching them pass the widest part of my thigh, which can cause them to rip at the crotch. I’m a woman with thick thighs. The phrase “thick thighs save lives” is a well-known phrase that promotes body positivity, especially regarding women’s bodies. It suggests that having fuller thighs can be both attractive and healthy, challenging societal beauty standards that typically prioritize thinness as the ideal. I can’t hide my thighs, and I think the orange compliments them . Getting my thick thigh into these fishnets inspired me to look more into the history of hosiery as a fashion accessory.

The History of Hosiery

Hosiery has ancient roots, dating back to civilizations where both men and women adorned their legs with basic coverings. In ancient Egypt, leg protection from the elements was achieved through wraps made of leather and cloth. Please check out this amazing post by The Seamstress of Bloomsbury on the history of hosiery here. The relationship between form and function in textiles has evolved significantly with the commercialization and mass production of fabric and goods. The journey from ancient leg coverings to modern hosiery highlights how fashion trends have changed over time while maintaining some of the same practical functions.

Formal/Professional Dressing

My mom has shared stories of how career women in the 1980s were required to wear hosiery if they wore a skirt to work due to dress code expectations for professional attire. However, times have changed, and dress codes have become more relaxed. As a young back woman, she found it hard to find hosiery that complimented her skin tone and leaned toward charcoal or black. Nowadays, I associate hosiery more with sex appeal than formal wear.