SILK STOCKINGS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17836, 3 May 1926, Page 11

SILK STOCKINGS.

The sale of silk stockings in this country alone must realise an enormous sum every year, so completely have they captured feminine fancy. A walk through the streets of any large town will reveal an astonishing number of shop windows’ dresesd entirely with silk stockings. Evidently a woman whose ambition is to be considered fashionable must spend a large portion of her dress allowance on her stockings. A dozen years ago silk stockings were not generally worn. The average middlerdass woman was content with one or two “best” black pairs, and one or two pairs for evening wear. To-day almost every woman and girl, poor or rich, seems to be able te wear silk stockings every day. Cheap silk stockings are very extravagant. They wear out quickly, and never look nice, so unless one can afford to buy good ones it is much better to wear lisle thread, cashmere, silk and wool, or silk and cotton stockings. Silk stockings look very unsuitable, and therefore are not in good taste, if worn in cold or wet weather. When buying silk stockings, choose carefully, and treat them weil afterwards in order to get the greatest amount of wear out of them. Choose fineness and closeness in the weave of the silk, and a good shape at the ankle. In cheap stockings the mesh is coarse, and the back seam not sufficiently curved. Always buy two pairs of the same shade, as often one stocking wears out while the other is still good, and one good pair can then be made from two odd stockings if they are the same shade. Care in w-ashing has more than anything else to do with their long life and good appearance. Never use strong soaps, washing powders, or soda. Wash one stocking at a time, first in warm and then in tepid water. Add a few drops of methylated spirit to the rinsing water—this will give them a nice sheen when they are pressed with a hot iron. Wring in a soft towel, and hang up to dry not too near a fire nor in strong sunshine.