Stockings

Art Historical Context

In the early 19th century, these wool stockings offer a glimpse into everyday British fashion during the Regency era. Made from wool—a practical, widely available fiber in Britain’s thriving textile industry—they provided essential warmth and durability for daily wear. Unlike finer silk stockings reserved for formal occasions, wool versions suited the needs of ordinary life, reflecting both economic realities and the nation’s strong tradition of hand-knitting and domestic textile production. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, the pair highlights how clothing artifac...