Sears Bodystocking

Bodystocking by Sears

1971 catalogue.

At the end of the sixties, following the collapse of fashion in the traditional sense, resulting from the blows dealt firstly by the miniskirt, and then by pantyhose, manufactures were searching desperately for new ideas.  Underwear became more natural, and tried to invoke the impression of nudity.  One garment which enjoyed a short-lived popularity was the body stocking; a sheer garment covering the body from the shoulders to the toes.  Despite the visual and tactile pleasures this garment offered, it was decidedly impractical, both because of the problems of access and the necessity to replace the whole expensive garment if it got a ladder.

The garment on the right, in an opaque knit, was shown in a Sears catalogue from 1971, while the sheer garment below was advertised by the French firm Dim in 1970.

Dim Bodystocking

Bodystocking by Dim, France, 1970

St Laurent P236

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