Believe it or not, buying seamed stockings in Melbourne is not always easy. They are often sold out in both big department stores and small boutiques, and personally I find that some of the more easily available brands don't always hit the mark when it comes to quality.
So, I have teamed up with Sweet Pins to bring you a review of some seamed stockings… and they are easy to buy online! Hurrah!
I will of course wear these in outfit posts, too, and tell you which ones they are each time, but here is a straightforward review of the four types of stockings I have had the pleasure of trying. I hope you can cope with my non-professional words (stretchy! springy!) when I describe these things, but I think you'll get what I mean.
Calza Pennac Trasparenze Calze Collants (cosmetic/nero)
Ah, the modern vintage classic and the ones we love to wear – the pale-and-black contrast seams! Love these. Nice stretchy, springy material that keeps its shape, and not the kind of dry, tissue paper-like fabric some stockings are made of. Feel pretty resilient, too. Seam is a good width, and I like the heel detail. The welt and the toes are in the pale colour, rather than the more usual contrast; this might be good if you like wearing peep toes (you know, with the smaller hole for your toes) with your stockings. Good value for money. I would definitely buy these.
Calza Pennac Trasparenze Calze Collants (nero) (black/black)
These seem (or should that be seam? See what I did?) to be the black version of the cosmetic/black contrast ones above, but the fabric is a little different. Still springy and stretchy and firm and everything good, but somehow more… hole-y? The gauge in the weave (?!) is larger, which wouldn't be a problem… except I caught my engagement ring on them on their first wear, before I'd even left the house. I think that initial 'snick' is familiar to all of us who wear stockings. One snick, one teeny tiny hole… and one ladder ten minutes later. The seam on these is quite thick, too. That said, these are still good value and are an affordable black/black stocking for evening looks.
Gio Classic Fully Fashioned Stockings (cuban, black) (black/black)
Oh. My. God. these are absolutely amazing. I've never worn new, as in modern made, fully fashioneds (weird looking word, but well, that's how I'd say it!) before; all my vintage deadstock stockings have of course been fully fashioned (I found quite the supply at one stage, for a few bucks a pop, still brand new in their original boxes, huzzah! But that was a couple of years ago. And now they are all snagged. Boo!) so I am used to wearing stockings that don't cling, but rather follow the curve of your legs. I like that, including the slight wrinkling you can get at the ankle and knee – but not to Nora Batty levels, obviously! I probably wouldn't have considered buying these for myself – the price, could I justify what would seem like such an indulgence, aren't the retro-seamed styled ones more or less the same, etc – but wearing these has changed my mind. They are incredible. Seriously. The cheaper, non-ff just do. not. compare. The soft, fine fabric, the silky feel, the detail in the welt and the key hole… I've never really got into stockings beyond their visual appeal, but these have changed my mind. Forever. Wow. Just… wow.
Wow. Wow!
That's all.
Oh, wait, I should give you some hints on sizing. I tried the 8.5", the smallest on the site. I'm 5'4" and wear an AU6 (sometimes AU5) shoe. I would go down a size if possible, as they are a bit big in the foot, but I don't think the site carries them/the brand makes them, I'm not sure which. However, this does not put me off. Not one bit. Back to the wow... ahem.
Trasparenze Jessy (cosmetic/red)
I've always wanted to try a red seamed pair of stockings, but was a bit wary of them looking a bit too much. I needn't have worried. I think these look great and give a nice bit of colour, a nice break from getting too traditional or strict with vintage style. They're fun! These ones are again in that nice stretchy fabric, and have a lovely smooth look to them that really makes your legs look great. I love the stripy welt, too! In fact, the stripy welt might just allow for these to be worn as long socks, rolled down a little, the stripe adding a nice detail to some looks, a la the fabulous Sarah Sophie Flicker. The one down side I felt with these is that there is no heel detail, the line just starts/stops. The toes are in the cosmetic shade too. This isn't a big problem, as I wouldn't wear these with sling backs, but it is good to know. These are great value, easier to wear than you might think, and yes, I would absolutely buy them again!
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