The Miniskirt Revolution

In 1964, British designer Mary Quant sent skirts up above the knee—and the fashion world was never the same. The miniskirt didn't just change what women wore; it made traditional stockings obsolete and pantyhose essential.

Mary Quant and Swinging London

The miniskirt emerged from London's youth culture:

• Bazaar boutique: Quant's King's Road shop pioneered the style
• Youth market: Designed for teenagers, not their mothers
• Mod culture: Part of larger British youth movement
• Rebellion: Rejecting conservative 1950s fashion

André Courrèges in Paris showed similar styles, but Quant gets the credit.

How Short?

Hemlines rose dramatically:

By 1967, some skirts barely covered underwear.

The Stocking Problem

Traditional stockings couldn't survive the miniskirt:

• Stocking tops showed: Dark welts visible when sitting
• Garters showed: Clips and bumps impossible to hide
• Bare thigh gap: Visible skin between stocking top and panty
• Movement exposed all: Any activity revealed the rigging

The garter belt + stocking system simply didn't work.

Pantyhose to the Rescue

Pantyhose solved every problem:

• No stocking tops: Coverage goes all the way up
• No garters: Elastic waistband holds everything
• No gap: Continuous coverage from toe to waist
• Clean line: Nothing to show through the skirt

Pantyhose adoption exploded alongside miniskirt popularity.

Tights Alternative

Opaque tights also boomed:

• Bold colors: White, black, bright shades
• Pattern play: Geometric designs popular
• Mod aesthetic: Part of the look
• Cold weather: Practicality for short skirts in winter

Colored tights became as important as the skirt itself.

The Twiggy Effect

Model Twiggy embodied the miniskirt era:

• Stick-thin figure: Changed body ideals
• Short skirts standard: Every photo featured minis
• Pantyhose visibility: Legs constantly on display
• Global influence: Most photographed woman of 1966

Twiggy's look was incomplete without the right legwear.

Social Scandal

The miniskirt sparked outrage:

• Bans: Some schools, workplaces, churches banned them
• Moral panic: Called indecent, slutty, dangerous
• Generation war: Mothers horrified by daughters' hems
• Media debate: Endless articles about appropriateness

But youth won—the miniskirt became mainstream.

Practical Adaptations

Women developed strategies for mini-length skirts:

• Careful sitting: Knees together, angled away
• Movement awareness: No bending at waist
• Matching underwear: Coordinated colors just in case
• Pantyhose essential: Never bare legs with minis

The Death of Stockings?

Stockings didn't die—they transformed:

• Lingerie category: Stockings became intimate wear
• Special occasions: Reserved for romantic contexts
• Hold-ups invented: Stay-up stockings with silicone bands
• Vintage niche: Seamed stockings for retro enthusiasts

By 1970, stockings were lingerie, not hosiery.

Lasting Impact

The miniskirt permanently changed hosiery:

• Pantyhose dominance: Became standard legwear
• Garter belt decline: From necessity to lingerie
• Leg visibility: Women's legs routinely on display
• Sheer legwear: Expected in professional settings

Fashion Cycles

Hemlines have risen and fallen since:

• 1970s: Midi and maxi skirts rebel against minis
• 1980s: Minis return with power suits
• 1990s: Micro-minis with bare legs
• 2000s+: All lengths coexist

But pantyhose remain the practical choice for short skirts.