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After years in the fashion wilderness stockings and suspenders are staging a comeback.
According to London retailers, couples are choosing to spend nights in during the recession, with women splashing out on more adventurous lingerie for the bedroom.
Stars such as burlesque model Dita Von Teese are also thought to have inspired a surge in sales. Recently, Katy Perry was pictured wearing stockings with suspenders.
Retailers say sales of stockings, hold-ups and suspender belts have increased by up to a third in recent weeks.
Online underwear store Figleaves has seen a 35 per cent jump in sales of stockings and hold-ups since August. Meanwhile, sales of suspender belts and knickers with suspender belts have climbed 40 per cent. Agent Provocateur has seen stockings sales up 14 per cent, and silk stockings with seams are a best-seller. Jess Burnett, head of marketing at Figleaves, said: "It's the Dita Von Teese effect. In the recession, women are buying something sexy to improve their mood."
In 2007, figures showed profits from stockings sales halved in four years, falling from £10million to £5million a year. But some women are faking the look. Henry Holland's trompe l'oeil tights with an embroidered suspenders motif have proved the best-selling item of his collection for Pretty Polly at Selfridges.
Reader views (7)
Come on everybody - stop being so serious! Lily's having fun, she looks sweet in this outfit, we love these trompe l’oeil tights and the sales figures prove that much of the population agrees!
- Niki, UK
At last the age of elegance and feminity may be returning. Frumpy dress and looks (tatoos and piercing) have been around far to long.
- Reg, Glos
Such a shame that we have to rely on these superstars to make a wonderful product look tacky. For far too long the High Street, and the press, have sold stockings as 'for sex only.' The High Street now sells awful suspender belts, and the fashion gurus have done nothing at all to promote what is really out there. There are real ladies who wear stockings and suspenders every day, and have no problem with them, nor the desire to show everything. The shops and fashion paople would have us believe that stockings are dead, so do nothing to promote them. There is one brilliant site that sells stockings, and the proper foundation wear to hold them up. It is calles StockingsHQ, and as the name suggests, it sells stockings. Fully fashioned stockings (seams) are still made in this country, and are easily purcahsed. They do look very smart, and tights manufacturers have copied them, a compliment perhaps. Please remember some ladies prefer stockings as their preferred legwear for many reasons, but the product doesn't get a look in. Maybe the fashion editirs should do a little bit more research and find what is really out there. Stockings are worn outside of the home by many, and they should not be classified as odd or perverted. They are far more hygenic and a lot more practicle. Please fashion experts, as we have already said, do some research, and don't keep leading the rest by the nose to what your bias may be. The outifts on fashion pages will say tights from whoever. Never stockings
- Paul And Lesley., Lincoln, UK.
Stockings and suspenders never went out, with many of the older generation.
OK the younger generation may have just discovered them; but my advice to them would be; try wearing them under your dresses, and not on top of your dresses.
Stockings and suspenders are very feminine when viewed with the swish of a dress or skirt exposing a tiny glimpse, like when dancing etc; but they are a big turn-off hanging down your legs for all to see in the street etc, they look more like horse harnesses, than suspenders.
Remember girls, imagination in what you are wearing beneath, is far more exciting to a man, than complete exposure on what you are wearing on top, so be feminine, be coy, be mysterious, it works every time.
- Mickinlondon, london
I love the figleaves web site, as does my girlfriend when I purchase for her!
- Anthony, Esher, Surrey
Lily makes faux aps after faux pas. Getting her A boobs out so often is a very bad idea and wearing tights that look the opposite is pointless and chavvy. She should stick to singing covers. That is truly her strength
- Keith Price, Luton England
So very cute ..
- Joanna Carling, London England
