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In Praise of Nylon Stockings: Classic Photos of a Fashion Staple

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The invention of nylon in the mid-1930s by the geniuses at DuPont, and the first commercial sale of nylon stockings in late October 1939, are landmarks in fashion history that anyone with a modicum of reverence for the timeline of chic would do well to note. Perhaps with a moment of silence. Or the gentle rustling of stockinged leg against stockinged leg.

[See TIME.com’s “The War That Shaped Women’s Legs”]

Here, LIFE.com pays tribute to nylon stockings — and hosiery in general — with a series of classic photos that capture something of the fashion staple’s allure, and the quite evident reasons for the stocking’s central place in the style canon.

[See all of LIFE’s galleries]

Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizabethRonk.

Woman inspecting her nylon stockings, 1942.
Woman inspecting her nylon stockings, 1942.Thomas D. McAvoy—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
A model wearing "hotsies," wool-lined silk faille girdle and bra, 1942.
A model wearing "hotsies," wool-lined silk faille girdle and bra, 1942.Gjon Mili—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Stockings, 1943.
Stockings, 1943.Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
"Curtain" stockings, 1943.
"Curtain" stockings, 1943.Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Nylon stockings, 1945.
Nylon stockings, 1945.Peter Stackpole—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Model wearing black stockings, fitted dress coat, fur trimmed hat and fur muff, adjusting garter, 1946.
Model wearing black stockings, fitted dress coat, fur trimmed hat and fur muff, adjusting garter, 1946.Gjon Mili—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Model with stockings, 1948.
Model with stockings, 1948.Peter Stackpole—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Caption from LIFE. "Lace stockings with panels that run to mid-calf and enhance slim ankles," 1948.
Caption from LIFE. "Lace stockings with panels that run to mid-calf and enhance slim ankles," 1948.Nina Leen—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
From "Best-Selling Christmas Gifts," 1948.
From "Best-Selling Christmas Gifts," 1948.Nina Leen—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Chorus girl Linda Lombard, resting her legs after a tough night on stage, 1949.
Chorus girl Linda Lombard, resting her legs after a tough night on stage, 1949.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Model wearing black nylon hose permanently attached to high heeled satin mules by Herbert Levine, 1950.
Model wearing black nylon hose permanently attached to high heeled satin mules by Herbert Levine, 1950.Gjon Mili—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Dancer Mary Ellen Terry talking with her legs up in telephone booth, 1952.
Dancer Mary Ellen Terry talking with her legs up in telephone booth, 1952.Gordon Parks—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Cancan dancers flinging up their legs while they dance in Paris, 1952.
Cancan dancers flinging up their legs while they dance in Paris, 1952.Nat Farbman—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Model wearing new stay-up stocking with elastic cord spiraling around thigh, 1954.
Model wearing new stay-up stocking with elastic cord spiraling around thigh, 1954.Gjon Mili—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Teenage girls resting feet at a formal dance, 1954.
Teenage girls resting feet at a formal dance, 1954.Cornell Capa—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Stockings and garters, 1954.
Stockings and garters, 1954.Gordon Parks—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Scene at a beatnik night club, 1960.
Scene at a beatnik night club, 1960.A. Y.—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

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