H/A or semi H/A Stockings and socks handkerchiefs

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

Can anyone get me a link for H/A or even semi H/A stockings/socks

Also how many of the noble ladies carry a handkerchief?

[Master James]

Most noble ladies would carry a handerchief as far as I know but their lady's maid would be the one carrying it in a basket.  As far as socks goes, I can't really help you there other that to say anything that is under the gown should not be seen anyway as that was scandalous to show ankles so it really shouldn't matter what you where.  Most of our ladies of the court wear a dark sock just so it doesn't show too much underneath.

[sealion]

To be historically accurate you would want a bias cut cloth stocking like http://www.historicenterprises.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=550&c=15 from Historic Enterprises. I usually wear over the knee cotton stockings tied with garters myself.

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

As a woman with large feet and calves the Historical Entrprises will not fit my 12" foot and 17 1/2" calves

[gem]

I don't know of another source for buying ready-made period stockings (bias cut, as Sealion described), but there are patterns and instructions available.  I know there are patterns in TUDOR TAILOR, and I believe Reconstructing History carries a pattern for stockings as well (although a single RH pattern would cost nearly as much as the whole TUDOR TAILOR book, so keep that in mind).  You might also be able to track down an online pattern.  I'll see what I can come up with.

Knitted stockings became far more common at the end of the 16th century, and by the 18th century, they were ubiquitious.  If you're interested in going in that direction, then a store like Jas. Townsend carries both cotton and wool (unisex) over-the-knee stockings.  I have their clocked stockings (cotton), and they fit me well enough (I don't find them overly large), tho' I confess I haven't had Milord try them on to see how well they'd fit a man's calf.  I will say, though, that I find my JT stockings uncomfortably warm.  The rest of my ensemble is wool--and the only part that gets hot are my ankles.

[sealion]

The cotton stockings from Jas. Townsend are sold for men so fit shouldn't be a problem. (My husband and I share the ones I bought from them.) As for an online pattern for making your own- there is one in Katerina's Florence files: http://katerina.purplefiles.net/garb/diaries/Kat%27s%20Stockings.htm

[Syrilla]

Even tho they styling is later period, I love the stocks at williamsburg.  They hold there shape and don't wear down a fast as many i have worn.  I use garters above my knees to keep them up.

[isabelladangelo]

http://des.kyhm.com/elenstoc