WWII Nylon Rationing

When the United States entered World War II in December 1941, nylon production was immediately diverted to military use. Women who had just discovered the miracle of nylon stockings found them suddenly unavailable—leading to creative alternatives and desperate measures.

Why Nylon Went to War

Nylon's properties made it invaluable for military applications:

• Parachutes: Nylon replaced silk, saving weight and improving strength
• Rope: Nylon rope was stronger than natural fibers
• Tires: Reinforcement for military vehicle tires
• Tents: Lightweight, water-resistant fabric
• Flak jackets: Body armor applications
• Surgical sutures: Medical supplies

In February 1942, DuPont ceased all civilian nylon production. Every ounce went to the war effort.

The Stocking Shortage

The impact was immediate and severe:

• No new production: Stores quickly sold out existing stock
• Black markets emerged: Stockings sold at huge premiums
• Silk unavailable: Japanese silk embargo since 1941
• Cotton and rayon: Inferior substitutes available but unpopular

Women accustomed to nylon's sheerness and durability refused to return to rayon's bagginess.

Leg Makeup: The Solution

Cosmetics companies saw an opportunity. If women couldn't wear stockings, they could paint them on:

• Leg makeup: Tinted lotions applied to bare legs
• Brands: "Leg Silque," "Velvet Stockings," "Liquid Stockings"
• Application: Brushed or sponged onto legs, dried to matte finish
• Seam lines: Drawn on the back with eyebrow pencil

The drawn seam was essential—it completed the illusion of wearing real seamed stockings.

The Seam Drawer

Creating a convincing fake seam required skill:

• Straight line: From heel to upper thigh—harder than it sounds
• Eyebrow pencil: Most common tool
• Seam guides: Special stencils sold to help
• Professional service: Some salons offered seam-drawing

Women often drew each other's seams—doing your own straight back seam was nearly impossible.

Problems with Leg Makeup

The painted stocking look had significant drawbacks:

• Streaking: Uneven application was obvious
• Rain: Water made it run
• Rubbing off: Transferred to furniture and clothes
• Color matching: Difficult to match natural skin tone
• Time consuming: Daily application required

Gravy Train

Some women got creative with household items:

• Gravy browning: Kitchen coloring applied to legs
• Tea staining: Cold tea as a tinting agent
• Coffee: Another DIY tanning option
• Cocoa: Mixed with lotion for color

These home remedies often smelled, stained clothes, and attracted flies—but desperate times called for desperate measures.

Bare Legs Become Acceptable

The shortage had a lasting cultural impact:

• Bare legs normalized: For the first time, going without stockings was acceptable
• Workplace acceptance: Even formal settings relaxed stocking requirements
• Patriotic duty: Going without was supporting the war
• Tanned legs: Sun-kissed legs became fashionable

This shift would have long-lasting effects on hosiery culture.

Hoarding and Black Markets

Those who had stockings guarded them carefully:

• Careful laundering: Hand washing, gentle drying
• Repair services: Professional run repair businesses thrived
• Special occasions only: Stockings reserved for important events
• Black market prices: $20+ per pair (equivalent to $350+ today)

Government Campaigns

The US government encouraged women to sacrifice:

• "Silk for Victory": Encouraged donating old stockings
• Nylon drives: Collected used nylon for recycling
• Propaganda: Going bare-legged as patriotic

The message: your comfort vs. soldiers' lives. Stockings lost.

War's End: The Nylon Riots

When production resumed in 1945, demand far exceeded supply. The result: the Nylon Riots of 1945-46—violent confrontations as women desperately sought stockings after years of deprivation.