A new product line has arrived – pure nylon black seamed stockings from UK company Kiss Me Deadly.

These are similar to original vintage stockings, and have little stretch – so are available in five sizes, three of which are currently in stock (sizes 1, 3 and 4).

Stocking-loving ladies, if you’d like to pop in and tell us what you think of them, it will encourage me to order more and (when they’re available) stock the full range of sizes.

The stockings go particularly well with the Van Doren suspender belt, available at Circa in black or white – and yes, that is an excuse for another lovely shot of Morgana, my favourite lingerie model, in her vintage peignoir (looks ’40s to me, very nice).

All photographs reproduced with the kind permission of Kiss Me Deadly.

We’re slowly expanding our Kiss Me Deadly range of beautiful vintage-inspired lingerie.

Just in – more of the gorgeous and popular black six strap garter belt. Six straps to hold your seams nice and straight – you’ll find them strong and comfortable and wonder how you ever got by without one. Available in small, medium, large and extra large for $68.

New to Circa we now have black Alouette waist cinchers in small, medium and large ($120) and a small number of Vargas Girdle dresses ($145). Catherine from KMD tells me that we’re currently the only retailer in Australia stocking these lines and you best be fast – the first girdle dress was snapped up before they were even ticketed. I’ll be ordering more, but the full range of sizes won’t be in until October.

Here are some lovely images courtesy Kiss Me Deadly.

The way we wear clothes has changed a lot in the last few decades, in particular with regards to underwear and accessories – the overall casualisation of clothing isn’t always a good thing, I think.

Vintage clothes were designed to look their best with vintage foundation garments – these days, you don’t have to strap yourself into corsetry, suspender belts or girdles unless you want to, but we can all benefit from the goodness that is a decent petticoat.

Our grandmothers understood it well: a nice petticoat will make your clothing fit and look better as well as add to your comfort. It also makes dressing more of an occasion – walking around whilst you get ready of a morning (or any time you change outfits) is easier and more glamourous whilst wearing the equivalent of a sexy, sultry slip of slightly sheer fabric that covers and enhances your assets. After all, has Liz Taylor ever looked better than she did in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof or Butterfield 8?

Circa is currently closed so I can’t show you any of our beauties, instead here are some lovely examples from other vintage shops: far too nice to be limited to your boudoir, many will happily double as evening frocks, especially for the hot summer nights ahead.

Clicking on each image will take you to the full size version (and believe me, they look much better in full size) and there is a link below each that will take you to each shop for more information. All photos remain the property of their respective websites.

Stockings and suspenders are an essential part of creating a vintage look for a modern gal, but even Dita can’t duplicate the saucy elegance of old photos and the irreverent look of an immoral woman.

Beneath the cut are some of my favourite pics, collected over the years from assorted Livejournal communities. Dating from the Edwardian era to the early 1960s, all are work-safe: containing luscious thighs and scanties but no actual nudity….many were exceedingly racy back in the day and many are fetishistic: then as now. I’ve displayed them roughly in era order, so you can observe the different approaches (and increased raunchiness) as we go.

A good friend mentioned that her husband enjoyed a post I once wrote about vintage stockings…so Chris, this one is for you and also for the rest of us who hanker for a bit of vintage sexy-style glamour – the best sort.

(more…)