"STOCKING ECONOMY"

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 41, 5 April 1940, Page 42

"STOCKING ECONOMY"

(By

L.J.

S.

OW that there is likely to be a N shortage of silk stockings, it is essential, apart from the necessary economy of the times, that we buy correctly and then make our stockings last as long as possible. Actually it is a saving when buying stockings to get two or three pairs at once of the same shade. It may seem extravagant at the time, but will turn out to be most economical, as when the pairs. begin to wear out, the odd stockings match and make a pair. The weight of the stockings depends upon the amount of wear they will be getting, and sheer silk stockings should only be used for the evening. They will not stand up to heavy wear. Semi-sheer are best for special day time occasions, semi-service weight for everyday and service weight for hard going-especially in the country. If the heels and toes are darned with silk before wearing, it will put off the evil day when holes appear. Cheap stockings which appear shiny on the right side can be turned to the wrong side. Trim off the seam fringes carefully with a pair of scissors, and the result

will be an expensive-looking pair of stockings with a nice dull finish. Wash before wearing, and they will last longer. Also there will be no danger of injury to the feet by dye. As a matter of fact, all stockings benefit by washing after every wear, but this applies particularly to expensive pairs, The wear of laundering is small compared with the damage done by perspiration. Never rub stockings when washing, but squeeze gently in suds. The water used should be neither very hot nor very cold. If a ladder should appear when there is little chance of mending it, apply a dab of nail polish, but this should only be used on ladders out of sight, as the polish shows on stockings. Grease from a bicycle chain ruins many stockings, but this may be removed without damaging the silk by rubbing a brass cleaner on the marks, drying, and then washing in the usual way. When putting on a pair of stockings, turn inside out and insert the toe first, then draw them on over the heels; and when taking off always roll to the ankle. Broken nails and rings cause many ladders, but these can be avoided by forethought.