Choke of Legwear

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 90, 13 October 1934, Page 19

Choke of Legwear

"To many women the cnolce of legwear presents a problem," writes Evelyn Shrewsbury in the "Daily Tele- " There is, for instance, the difficulty of the enormous range of varieties "and : prices; of the different fashionings of the leg, and the finish of the heels. There must also be taken into consideration the small changes of fashion from season to season, the correct wear for day and evening, for s town and country. . "•About all these minor things deci- '. sions must be made, and in this respect the points I am about to mention may be of use. "In the- first place a little about the value of a stocking. - This depends partly on the quality of the silk used, and partly on the quality of the workmanship. The silk can be fairly easily , judged by most women by handling and comparing the stocking with others. To judge the workmanship, however, one must look at the fashioning of the leg and the finish of the heel. In the better-class stocking there is a very considerable decrease in stitches from calf to heel, so that the stocking is slim at the ankle and will fit perfectly. PERFECT AND LASTING FIT. . "In the lower quality there is little fashioning, and it will always tend to stretch round the ankle after being on the foot for a little while. Then again the one stocking has a well-moulded heel and foot strengthenings that are worked in with the stocking, and that narrow at the instep, while in the other quality the underfoot strengthenings are just straight pieces joined on to the upper foot, and showing to very bad effect when worn with a low-cut shoe. The heel will hardly be "Bhaped at all in this type of stocking, and it, too, will stretch. "It will be seen that the woman requiring perfect and lasting fit must choose a fully-fashioned stocking with good foot finishings. "There is, at the moment, a foot finish designed especially for wear with sandals and very low-cut and toeless shoes. It is named the 'sandal sole,' and the under foot is only strengthened by a very narrow piece, which does not show at all on the upper foot. The toe .strengthening also hardly shows. "As regards town wear, there was last season a slight trend towards the bare leg; but now it has been generally agreed that the stockinged leg is smarter and so this season has produced what is really a compromise between the two in the very sheerest of stockings that are being worn, stockings of almost gossamer weight, that can hardly be seen but for the seam at the back of the leg. Theso give the effect of a bare leg with an almost velvety finish, which is most becoming. These stockings are worn for day and evening alike, with just a change of shade. There is a delightful new shade out for day wear, called 'sun-gold.' THE BAKE LEG EFFECT. "For those who particularly want the bare leg effect there are the seam- • less stockings. These certainly do give that effect, but obviously they cannot be fashioned, and so do not have that perfect fit on which so many people insist. "For country wear a popular stocking just now is one of a very fine chiffon lisle. This is practical and looks not unlike a silk stocking on the leg. For rather heavier wear open network stockings are much worn, being infinitely better-looking than a plain heavy stocking. ■ . "And, lastly, one or two little v.-rinkles to help prolong the lifeof the stocking. "The stocking should bo fastened at either side of the log rather than over the knee, otherwise the strain caused by bending the knee, as when sitting, will eventually result in a ladder.

"A very fine stocking will last much, longer if worn only once or twice between each wash. Tho heat of the foot acts as a mild acid, and will fee inclined to perish the stocking foot if worn too long.

"When being washed a stocking should never be squeezed and never be ironed."