How to wear a body stocking, putting it on and what to wear over it

A body stocking is the most efficient piece of lingerie there is. One garment covers you from toe to shoulder, or from toe to wrist, in a net, lace or sheer weave, and it already has the opening you need. It looks like an entire outfit, it costs less than most sets, and once you know how to step into it, it takes about two minutes to put on.

The three fabrics

Body stockings differ mostly in the weave, and each tells a different story.

Fabric	Look	Piece
Fishnet	Graphic, bold, the net draws lines over the body	Resille Body Stocking ($42)
Lace	Romantic, a pattern of flowers over skin	Dentelle Body Stocking ($58)
Sheer nylon with cutouts	Smooth, almost invisible, with open windows	Fenetre Cutout Body Stocking ($48)

All three are crotchless, so you never have to take the piece off. The Fenetre style is also open at the bust. The full range is on our body stockings page.

One Size or Queen

Body stockings are made of stretch weaves, so they are sized by a range rather than a letter.

• One Size stretches to fit about 90 to 160 lb and most heights up to about 5 ft 9 in.
• Queen stretches to fit about 150 to 250 lb and taller frames.

Height matters as much as weight. A body stocking runs from foot to shoulder, so if you are tall, a One Size may fit around the body but pull at the shoulders and crotch. In that case, Queen is the right choice even if you are slim. At the overlap, choose Queen. The Resille and Dentelle styles both come in Queen, and our size guide lists the ranges in full.

How to put on a body stocking

The biggest mistake is stepping in and pulling up by the neckline. That stretches the top and almost guarantees a snag. Treat it like a pair of pantyhose that keeps going.

1. Prepare. Remove rings and bracelets, smooth any rough nail, and sit on the edge of a bed.
2. Find the front. The opening and any neckline detail are at the front. The label, if there is one, is usually at the back.
3. Roll it down. Gather the body stocking from the shoulders down to the first leg, then do the same for the second leg, so you have two small rings at the feet.
4. Feet first. Seat each foot and heel, then unroll up to the knees, a little at a time, smoothing the weave straight.
5. Stand and lift. Bring it over the thighs and hips, adjusting the opening so it sits where it should.
6. Torso and arms. Ease the body up and slip one arm in at a time, or pull the straps over your shoulders for a sleeveless style.
7. Final check. In the mirror, make sure the pattern runs straight down the legs and does not twist at the waist.

Taking it off is the same in reverse: shoulders first, then roll it down the body. Never peel it from the ankles.

What to wear over it

A body stocking is complete on its own, but it is also a beautiful base layer.

• A robe. Satin or sheer, worn open. The Peignoir Satin Robe ($118) over a fishnet stocking is an evening in two pieces. See our sexy robes.
• A corset. An underbust corset over a lace body stocking shapes the waist and frames the bust.
• A harness. Straps over fishnet turn it from playful to bound in seconds.
• A sheer gown. Tulle over lace creates two layers of pattern, soft and mysterious.
• Heels. Always worth it. The line of the net runs into the shoe and lengthens the leg.

Some people also wear a set over a body stocking, a lace bra and panty on top of the net. It sounds unusual and looks deliberate, especially in black on black.

Does a body stocking feel comfortable?

It does, because the stretch is spread evenly over the whole body rather than concentrated in a band or a strap. There is nothing that digs in. The net or lace does feel present on the skin, which many people enjoy. If a body stocking feels tight across the shoulders or pulls down at the crotch, it is too short for your height, and the next size will be easier to wear for longer.

A night in or a photo session

For a night at home, the simplest look is the most effective: a body stocking, heels and a robe that comes off slowly. If you prefer a little more coverage on the torso, choose one of our sheer nightgowns over it and let the net show only on the legs. For a boudoir session, a lace body stocking photographs especially well, because the pattern holds detail under soft light, while fishnet makes strong graphic lines in black and white pictures. If you love the idea of a one piece but prefer a structured top, look at our mesh bodysuits, which you can wear with separate stockings instead.

Avoiding snags

Fishnet survives a lot. Lace and sheer nylon are more delicate. Keep body stockings away from velcro, zippers and rough fabrics, sit on smooth surfaces, and put on any jewelry after the body stocking is on. A small snag in fishnet can be stopped with a dot of clear nail polish on the broken knot.

Washing and storing

Hand wash in cool water with a gentle detergent, rinse well, press the water out in a towel and dry flat or over a rail out of direct sun. Never put a body stocking in a dryer, the heat weakens the stretch. Store it loosely folded in its own bag. Because body stockings are worn against the skin, they are final sale for hygiene. A faulty piece or the wrong item is always replaced.

Once you have worn one, the appeal is clear. A body stocking is fast, inexpensive and endlessly versatile, and few pieces change how you feel in a mirror so completely. See also our guide on how to wear fishnet stockings if you love the net on its own.

Questions

How do you put on a body stocking without ripping it?

Roll it down to the feet like pantyhose, step in, unroll it up the legs and over the hips, then ease the arms in last. Remove rings first and never pull from the neckline.

What size body stocking should I get?

One Size fits about 90 to 160 lb, Queen about 150 to 250 lb. If you are tall, choose Queen for the extra length, even if you are slim.

Do you wear anything under a body stocking?

Usually nothing, because our body stockings are crotchless. You can wear a set over it, or a robe, corset or harness on top.

Can you wash a body stocking in a machine?

Hand washing is best. If you use a machine, put it in a mesh bag on a cold delicate cycle and always dry it flat, never in a dryer.

Can I return a body stocking?

Body stockings are final sale for hygiene. If one arrives faulty or is not what you ordered, write to us and we replace it.