The Nylon Riots of 1945

When World War II ended in August 1945, American women had gone nearly four years without new nylon stockings. DuPont had halted civilian production in 1942, redirecting all nylon to military uses. When stockings finally returned to stores, the pent-up demand exploded into chaos—crowds so desperate that they became violent.

The Wartime Shortage

From 1942 to 1945, nylon stockings essentially vanished from American life:

• Military priority: All nylon went to parachutes, rope, and military gear
• Black market: Stockings sold for $20/pair (about $350 today)
• Hoarding: Women treasured their remaining pairs
• Alternatives: Leg makeup, rayon stockings, bare legs

For three years, women made do. But nylon stockings had become a symbol of femininity and normalcy—their absence represented wartime sacrifice. Their return would represent victory and the restoration of "normal" life.

The Announcement

In September 1945, DuPont announced that nylon production for civilian use would resume. The company promised stockings would be available "soon." Newspapers covered the story like a major event—because it was.

Women began saving money and planning. After years of rationing and sacrifice, they were ready to have nylon stockings again.

The Problem: Limited Supply

DuPont and retailers badly underestimated demand. When the first shipments arrived at department stores, they brought perhaps a few hundred pairs. Tens of thousands of women wanted them.

The math was impossible. Someone would go home empty-handed—most someones, in fact.

The Riots Begin

What happened next shocked the nation:

Pittsburgh, September 1945

When a Pittsburgh store announced a shipment of 1,000 pairs, 40,000 women showed up. The crowd pushed through doors, knocked over displays, and fought over stockings. Police were called. The store sold out in minutes; thousands left empty-handed and furious.

New York City

Macy's received 50,000 pairs—and 30,000 women lined up to buy them. The line stretched around the block before dawn. When doors opened, the crush injured several people. Police had to manage the crowd.

Across America

Similar scenes played out nationwide:

• San Francisco: 10,000 women competed for a small shipment
• Detroit: Police broke up crowds outside department stores
• Chicago: Stores limited purchases to one pair per customer
• Atlanta: Women camped overnight for a chance to buy

Why Such Intensity?

The riots seem extreme from today's perspective. Several factors explain the frenzy:

• Pent-up demand: Four years without stockings created desperate need
• Social expectation: "Nice" women wore stockings—bare legs were unacceptable
• Victory symbol: Stockings represented war's end and return to normalcy
• Fear of shortage: Nobody knew when more would arrive
• Affordable luxury: At $1.50/pair, stockings were accessible to most

The Aftermath

The riots embarrassed DuPont and retailers. They implemented new distribution strategies:

• Lottery systems: Random drawings for purchase rights
• Purchase limits: One or two pairs per customer
• Scheduled sales: Announced in advance to spread crowds
• Increased production: DuPont ramped up manufacturing

By 1946, supply finally met demand. Nylon stockings became universally available, and the riots faded into memory.

Cultural Impact

The Nylon Riots revealed how deeply stockings had become embedded in American culture:

• Fashion essential: Not a luxury but a necessity
• Gender marker: Stockings defined feminine presentation
• Consumer power: Women would fight for what they wanted
• Post-war desire: Americans craved normalcy and consumer goods

Historical Perspective

The Nylon Riots represent a unique moment when a consumer product triggered public disorder. They're studied today as an example of:

• Supply chain management failures
• Post-war consumer behavior
• The psychology of scarcity
• Fashion's grip on society