Fishnet Suspender Stockings

Where Did Fishnet Stockings Originate From?

Though it's difficult to pinpoint an exact time that fishnet stockings began to be worn, the earliest that they were mentioned in literature leads back to Aesop's fables from the early 1900s from "The Peasant's Wise Daughter." In the story, a peasant girl is told by a king that if she can solve his riddle, he will marry her. The riddle goes involved that she girl come back to him not naked and not clothed, so she decided to wrap herself in fisherman's net, leading to the sensual factor that fishnet now carries with it.
Other sources say that fishnet stockings became popular during the time of Moulin Rouge in the early 1900s, however this isn't exactly the case, as women during this time wore striped stockings and not fishnets.

When and Why Did Fishnet Stockings Become Popular?

Fishnet stockings first became popular among showgirls in the 1920s, when hemlines began to rise. They were originally popular to the convenient fact that when worn on stage, they actually made it look like the showgirls' legs were covered by full black tights, but as you got closer, more and more skin was revealed. At this point in time, nylon stockings hadn't been invented yet so they were quite practical for stage use. At this time and through the 50s, fishnet stockings were still more associated with more promiscuous women like pin up girls. During the 60s when the miniskirt began to become more popular, many women wore fishnets underneath. When the 70s came along, punks and goths began wearing fishnets and added holes to complete their look. Fishnets finally achieved international status in the 80s when Madonna wore them on stage and by the 90s fashion stylists had began to use fishnet material in every type of clothing and accessory imaginable.

What Are Fishnet Stockings Made Of?

Belonging to the category of hosiery, fishnet involves an wide, diamond-shaped knit stemming from materials such as polypropylene, merino wool, or nylon and is often paired with elastane for flexibility. The materials are usually knit together in layers for durability. Though fishnet stockings are often seen as purely sensual legwear, fishnet is also useful for exercise and outdoor sporting due to the diamond shapes trapping in body heat for extra warmth, as well as the ability to transport moisture rapidly to the skin surface to minimize conductive heat loss.