Nylons In New York

Nylons in New York

For women in the 1940’s stockings was an essential part of their wardrobe.  They provided a sheer enhancement to the legs and created a smooth and clean appearance when going to church or just simply going to the office. The first stockings were made out of silk, but silk was very expensive back then and only the wealthy could afford them. That’s where science came to the rescue. They created a material that looked and felt like silk and they called it nylon from the abbreviation of New York, NY. Soon women began to call them “nylons”. The first day they hit the market, May 15, 1940, over 780,000 pairs were sold. Nylons became the number one fashion trend in America and other countries as well. But due to the fact that the war started the year right after that all supply of silk and nylon was put into the war effort. They used silk to make powder sacks and they would use nylon for parachutes, tents, ropes and tires.

 

During the war women had to use alternatives. They would apply makeup to their legs like this.