Fogal was founded in 1923 at a time of postwar austerity, when seamed silk hosiery was considered a rarity. The harder they were to find, the more their imaginary value rose. But worldly women had a few tricks up their sleeve. Using an eyeliner pencil, they would draw a bold line – the symbol of femininity – straight onto each other’s legs. The hosiery seam stands for craftsmanship. In the business world, it betrays the power of distinction. When paired with a pencil skirt, this black-on-nude emblem acts as a subtle statement of the confident woman. A lace version of the hosiery with all-over or seam-only crystal appliqué lends a flirty edge to the evening, creating, as far as men are concerned, the most attractive celestial alignment possible.
Top Tip: The seam should sit straight, to make the leg look slimmer. Pull the hosiery over the foot, slide the hand under the heel and carefully draw up the leg.