Clanky's stocking watch - Issue 1

I'm wearing them every day (it's lovely) and have been for years and thought as there' s not much info out there about them I thought I'd just post up my findings so far.

It should be easy to buy stockings. Tights are just horrible. I mean, just....horrible. Why any woman would do that to themselves is beyond me. I've been looking in shops recently and it's all tights, tight, more tights and hold ups. Ugh. You need a decent suspender belt. Get one from What Katie Did or Nylon Dreams. If you want to wear seams get a 6 strap belt at least. You do not want to spend ages getting the seams straight and then find it's all gone tits up half an hour later. Anyway. Back to stockings. You get either stretch or non stretch. You have to take into account your leg length and thigh size, and whether you want to wear your stockings at the upper end of your leg or mid-thigh. Oh, and buy some thin cotton or satin gloves to wear when putting on your stockings. Even the slightest bit of rough skin or dodgy fingernail can snag your lovely hosiery.

Day to day wear you do not want to buy something that is going to ladder easily. Brands that seem to be hard wearing are:

John Lewis 3 pairs for 3 quid. In two sizes and three (I think) shades.

Marks and Spencers ladder resist, three sizes and two shades

I prefer the JL ones, although MS really are ladder resist, the black shade is really harsh and they feel (and look) bloody horrible.

Seams come in faux or true fully fashioned. I have worn:

Pretty Polly Vintage (cheap, nice to wear 'seams' even though they are fake, and very subtle so it's nice to know you're wearing seams even though people don't realise, but if you want the world to know you're wearing seams don't bother)

Jonathan Aston (the contrast champagne/black are ok, but the colour is too pale for me, but have recently got some natural/natural ones which look fab and I can't wait to wear them)

What Katie Did (contrast grey/black and contrast pink/black - please can I go out somewhere nice so I can wear these buggers!)

Gerbe Carnation (the Rolls Royce of fully fashioned stockings - ladder too easily but worth the 20 quid just for the constant slinky feeling)

One place I intend to buy from and haven't yet is Christel as they do Manhattan heels. Lovely. Expensive yes, but good for a treat every now and then.

I have chubby thighs and I've only really had problems with Agent Provocateur stockings, the welt (bit at the top) really had no stretch and they just didn't fit. Avoid if you're a bit lardy like me.

I love the whole rigmarole of stockings and suspenders. Yes it's a faff. But I remember the look of delight on his face when he got me down to my underwear all that time ago like it was yesterday and the faff was certainly worth it! He or she will appreciate it, believe me.