Source: Stuart, G. “What! No Silk Stockings! A Real Problem.” The Ottawa Journal, 14 Dec. 1944, p. 8. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ottawa-journal/137957731/

TIME CAPSULE: Mending stockings became common for most women during the war because they became scarce and too expensive for those with average incomes.

According to Independent Woman’s commentary post-Pearl Harbor, women faced embarrassment due to the government’s silk embargo, resulting in a shortage of national stockings.  Similar to the situation with coffee, the actions of millions of women trying to stock up in advance inadvertently drove prices higher and led to a crisis.

In November 1942, the Office of Price Administration imposed maximum prices, noting the widespread inflated prices of nylons across stores nationwide.

A Vogue editor criticized those who hoarded stockings, suggesting they would feel outdated wearing old beige legs when black cotton stockings were supposedly fashionable.  However, cotton stockings in black or any other color never gained popularity, and silk continued symbolizing social status throughout the war.  For many women, these items were markers of their social standing, while men often used scarce goods like silk stockings as gifts to obtain favors.

Source: Weatherford, Doris. American Women during World War II: An Encyclopedia, Routledge, London, 2010, p. 97.