The Invention of Pantyhose

In 1959, Allen Gant Sr. of Glen Raven Mills created the first commercial pantyhose—combining stockings and panties into a single garment. While the invention solved a practical problem, it was the 1960s miniskirt revolution that turned pantyhose from novelty to necessity.

The Problem with Stockings

Before pantyhose, women wore stockings held up by garter belts (or attached to girdles). This system had been standard for decades, but it had issues:

• Complexity: Multiple garments to put on
• Slipping: Garters could come undone
• Visibility: Garter bumps showed under tight clothing
• Cold gap: Bare thigh between stocking top and underwear
• Inconvenience: Bathroom trips were complicated

As long as skirts stayed below the knee, these problems were manageable. That was about to change.

The Miniskirt Revolution

In 1964, British designer Mary Quant introduced the miniskirt. Hemlines rose dramatically—first to mid-thigh, then higher. The fashion world was transformed.

But miniskirts and garter-belt stockings were incompatible:

• Stocking tops showed: The dark welt was visible
• Garter clips showed: Bumps and clips visible through short skirts
• Bare thigh showed: Gap between stocking and panty
• Movement revealed all: Sitting, bending, wind—exposure was constant

Young women embracing the miniskirt needed a new solution.

Allen Gant's Innovation

Allen Gant Sr. of Glen Raven Mills in North Carolina saw the opportunity. His wife complained about the hassle of garter belts. He wondered: why not make stockings and underwear as one piece?

In 1959, Glen Raven Mills introduced "Panti-Legs"—the first commercial pantyhose. The product combined:

• Sheer legs: Same material as stockings
• Panty section: Underwear built into the waist
• No garters needed: Elastic waistband held everything up

The timing was perfect—just as miniskirts were taking off.

Market Explosion

Pantyhose sales grew explosively through the 1960s:

By the mid-1970s, pantyhose had almost completely replaced stockings for everyday wear.

Early Pantyhose Challenges

First-generation pantyhose had problems:

• Poor fit: One-size-fits-all didn't fit all
• Saggy crotch: Insufficient stretch at key points
• Hot: Full coverage trapped heat
• Fragile: Same run problems as stockings

Manufacturers improved designs throughout the 1970s-80s, adding spandex, improving sizing, and creating styles like control top and sheer to waist.

What Happened to Stockings?

Stockings didn't disappear—they evolved:

• Hold-ups: Stay-up stockings with silicone bands emerged in the 1980s
• Lingerie: Stockings + garters became intimate apparel
• Vintage fashion: Retro styling kept seamed stockings alive
• Special occasions: Weddings, formal events often feature stockings

L'eggs and Mass Marketing

In 1969, Hanes introduced L'eggs—pantyhose in a distinctive egg-shaped container sold at supermarkets and drugstores. This was revolutionary:

• Grocery distribution: Available everywhere, not just department stores
• Impulse purchase: Grab-and-go convenience
• Low price: Mass production lowered costs
• Brand recognition: The egg container was iconic

L'eggs became the best-selling hosiery brand in America, cementing pantyhose's dominance.

Cultural Shift

Pantyhose changed more than fashion:

• Women's liberation: Simpler dressing = more practical for working women
• End of girdles: Many women stopped wearing restrictive foundation garments
• Fashion freedom: Short skirts became practical for everyday wear
• Industry disruption: Garter belt manufacturers declined dramatically

Modern Pantyhose

Today's pantyhose offer features unimaginable in 1959:

• Control top shaping
• Compression technology
• Run-resistant construction
• Sandal toe for open shoes
• Microfiber for ultimate softness

From solving the miniskirt problem to becoming a wardrobe staple, pantyhose transformed modern fashion.