Stockings used to be made out of woven cloth. Now they are usually made out of silk, cotton, nylon or knitted wool. The origin of the word “stockings” comes from “stock,” which means the lower part of the legs, or the “stumps.” Stockings were very popular until 1959, when pantyhose were invented by Allen Grant Sr. Since pantyhose do not have to be adjusted as much as stockings, many people started wearing pantyhose instead.

Stockings can be purchased at any large department store or women’s clothing boutique. Many famous designer brands, such as Calvin Klein and Donna Karan New York, produce wide varieties of stockings, from knee-highs to opaque. Also, if you are looking for an even wider array of stocking varieties, check out the world-famous Austrian hosiery house called Wolford, which has been specializing in stockings for decades.

Stockings can have great effects on the legs. One major use of stockings is to cover up unsightly skin conditions on the legs, such as spider veins (varicose veins), stretchmarks and even cellulite. If a woman wants to wear a short skirt, having varicose veins running all across her legs can be a major deterrent. However, simple stockings (even sheer ones) can solve this problem easily.