Storing & Caring for Stockings

After my stocking review post, Casey asked me how I store my stockings. Well, there are many ways to do this and I know this is a topic for many ladies who dress retro, so I figured I should make a post on it. (I  don't keep stockings in their packaging because I'm scared of snagging them on the adhesive on the flap.)

When I first started purchasing good repro stockings I rolled them up and stored them in a silk lingerie bag. After I got over three stockings, I had to figure out another way. My first thought was to purchase vintage stocking cases off Ebay. Unfortunately I couldn't find any that were reasonable prices, so I made them myself.  Check out these instructions on making a box. (If this doesn't help you out and there are enough of you asking for one, I'll be happy to make a full-on tutorial for making a stocking box.) After I made the boxes I printed out vintage stocking ads that corresponded with the stocking color so I could determine what was what. I keep some of my stockings in their original envelopes, but this is only if the packaging is  really good.

Other options for storing stockings:
• glove boxes
• dedicate one drawer to stockings; place lining in drawer to prevent snags
• place compartments in drawer (normally made for organizing socks)
• rolled-up in hat box
• clear boxes for shoe storage
• shoe boxes lined with tissue paper or fabric
• plastic sandwich bags
• quilted cardboard lingerie box

Caring for stockings:
• Store them properly, in a place with no rough edges
• Wear gloves when handling your hosiery (Like these)
• Put lotion on your legs and feet before putting your stockings on
• Wear gloves when hand washing your stockings
• Avoid walking around in bare stocking feet
• Use a delicate wash and launder by hand. I use Hosiery Mate and love it.

Now that you know all of that, put on your snag-free stockings and have a happy 4th of July!

Comments

[Casey]

Oh! This is ever so helpful--thank you for all the pointers! Now I totally don't have an excuse not to buy some really fantastic stockings. ;)

[Nancy Cook]

wow
great idea
love how you gussied them up with the vintage ads

[Rose]

What great ideas! I'll have to try those boxes. I use a product called Silkease 1-Step Wash and it helps prevent snags and runs in my stocking. I found it online at Therawear.com and the link is http://www.therawear.com/silkease_wash_10oz_bottle.html if anyone is interested. It's been quite wonderful in preserving my stockings! I highly recommend it!

[Kimberly Morgans]

Curses! I just put an order in with Sock Dreams for a pair of Cuban Heel Thigh Highs, I didn't think about getting a pair of gloves for putting them on! Ah well, something to go on the next order :) (No free postage to Australia alas!) Thank-you so much for all the great advice!

[Lacy]

Another thought! Old toilet-paper tubes, standing upright, would be a great way to separate them by pair!