Bodystocking Avenue: FAQs

When were bodystockings first worn?
Bodystockings were allegedly popularised by designer, Donna Karan, during the 1980s. Bodystockings (and pantyhose, for that matter) appear to owe their existence to the miniskirt. In 1963, American Vogue took notice of Mary Quant's miniskirts sold from Quant's Boutique on the King's Road in London. By the second half of the decade, the miniskirt became a pop culture phenomenon along with simple, floaty dresses. New undergarments were needed, and so pantyhose and bodystockings were born.

What are the most popular types of bodystocking?
Sheer bodystockings are very popular and made with a semi-transparent material that is usually a very thin knit. Also popular are opaque bodystocking which are made with a thicker material meant to be inpenetrable by light and so make good winter warmers. There are other popular styles of bodystocking, such as fishnet which is a material with an open, diamond shaped knit. The size of the diamonds can vary with style. For example, the fencenet style has larger shaped diamonds than fishnet. Two other popular terms associated with bodystockings are turtleneck which describes a high, tubular collar that fits closely about the neck and is closed with a popper on the back, and crotchless which describes the majority of bodystockings having a convenience opening underneath.

Can I buy a bodystocking that is not 'open crotch' or 'crotchless'?
All bodystockings, by their nature, are open crotch. The terms crotchless and convenience opening mean the same thing. If you want the crotch to be closed then, in the past, a catsuit or unitard would have been recommended. However, a number of bodystockings, called bodytights, are starting to appear with the crotch closed. We are endeavouring to find and offer these when we can. We currently have some available under the bodytight category.

What is lycra?
"90% nylon, 10% elastane" is a blend that makes up a bodystocking that many would describe as being Lycra. Elastane is a synthetic fibre known for its elasticity. As a result, it usually forms the smaller percentage of the blend that it is used in. In North America, the word spandex is preferred, so the difference in the use of the words is purely geographical. The word spandex originated as an anagram of the word 'expands'. Lycra is a brand name featuring this material. There are others, but the Lycra name became so popular it has become a household name to refer to elastane/spandex mixes.

How do I care for a bodystocking?
Ideally, it is better if your body is moisturised when pulling on a bodystocking as it is less likely to run or be damaged. Always hand wash with a mild detergent and then lay out flat to dry. Do not hang or wring the washed bodystocking as it could lose its shape.

What other similar garments are there to bodystockings?
A catsuit is a one piece garment with long sleeves and leggings that is usually made out of a material such as spandex, pvc, leather or rubber/latex. It is therefore very similar to a full, plain bodystocking except for the material, which results in it being worn as an outergarment and is frequently associated with super heroines. There is also a unitard which is often confused with a bodystocking, the difference being that a bodystocking is worn as an undergarment (being made of a thinner material), whereas a unitard is an outergarment, plainer in appearance. A unitard is like a catsuit in construction, but is mainly associated with sports, such as gymnastics. Less common, is a zentai, which is a catsuit with the addition of feet, gloves and a hood which totally encloses the wearer. The term is Japanese for 'full body', and it is usually made using a nylon/spandex blend. The zentai was originally developed for modern dance, but is now frequently used to diminish the presence of an actor in a scene and by puppeteers to hide their presence. They are also often associated with fetishism. Finally, there are the legless garments. A leotard is a unitard without the legs and is usually associated with acrobats (it was named after a famous French acrobat), dancers, thespians, and gymnasts. Leotards are outergarments as opposed to bodysuits (or bodies) that are legless undergarments that may or may not have snaps at the crotch. They are also sometimes called teddies.