November 30, 2014 11:45 AM EST
T he 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. Thomas D. McAvoy—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images A model wearing "hotsies," wool-lined silk faille girdle and bra, 1942. Gjon Mili—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images Stockings, 1943. Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images "Curtain" stockings, 1943. Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images 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. Gjon Mili—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images 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. Nina Leen—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images 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. George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images 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. Gordon Parks—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images 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. Gjon Mili—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images Teenage girls resting feet at a formal dance, 1954. Cornell Capa—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images Stockings and garters, 1954. Gordon Parks—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images Scene at a beatnik night club, 1960. A. Y.—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images More Must-Reads From TIME Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation Biden’s Campaign Is In Trouble. Will the Turnaround Plan Work? Why We're Spending So Much Money Now The Financial Influencers Women Actually Want to Listen To Breaker Sunny Choi Is Heading to Paris Why TV Can’t Stop Making Silly Shows About Lady Journalists The Case for Wearing Shoes in the House Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time