Stocking Tricks with Cello Bordello

There’s a lot more to hosiery than meets the eye, especially when you’re performing under lights. Whether you’re building a new costume, learning your first stocking peel, or just want your legs to look polished and smooth on stage, the right base layers make all the difference.

In this blog post, Cello Bordello shares her go-to tips and tricks for tights, stockings, and everything in between.

Tights vs. Stockings

Let’s start with tights. These are the ones that come all the way up to your waist, like a full brief. People often use “tights” and “stockings” interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing.

For stage work, sheer-to-waist tights in a flesh tone are a solid staple. When you buy a pair, look for ones without a gusset to keep that telltale seam from showing under your costume knickers.

A handy trick is to cut off the waistband for a smoother line. Spray the raw edge with hairspray or dab on a little clear nail polish to stop fraying.

These tights are perfect when you want sleek, polished legs without doing a stocking peel. Many performers wear them under fishnets too. Layering can go like this: a nude g-string for modesty, sheer tights over that, fishnets on top, and then your costume knickers. It’s a lot of layers, but it creates a clean, professional look.

Fishnet Tights

Fishnet tights are the full brief version of fishnets that come up to the waist. Just like with regular tights, cutting off the waistband gives a smoother finish under costumes.

If your budget allows, invest in professional-grade fishnets. They’re more expensive, but they’re built to last, less likely to tear, and offer better hold and polish on stage.

Classic Stockings

Stockings are different from tights because they need to be held up by a suspender belt, girdle, or sometimes by costume knickers with attached straps.

There are a few main types:

• Modern stretch stockings (like the affordable ones from brands such as Voodoo). These are great for striptease because they stretch beautifully and let you play with the fabric during your act.

• Fully fashioned stockings. These are the vintage, non-stretch kind that were standard before stretch fabrics existed. They’re cut to the shape of a leg and must be bought to match your own measurements. Dita Von Teese often wears these for their authentic retro look, but they’re tricky for a traditional stocking peel. They’re stunning for photoshoots or day-to-day glamour, but not the easiest for live performance.

Stay-Ups

Stay-up stockings have a silicone band inside that grips your thigh so you don’t need suspenders. Convenient, yes, but not reliable for stage. They tend to slip, and the silicone grip can show when you move or peel, which isn’t flattering under stage lights. Great for everyday wear or photoshoots, but best avoided for performances.

Stirrup Tights

If you’re doing contemporary work or circus acts where your feet need contact with the floor or apparatus, stirrup tights are your friend. The heel and toes poke through openings, leaving your feet free while still giving your legs coverage. They’re always full-length tights, so you can cut off the waistband here too for a seamless costume line.

Showgirl Stockings

This is the question Cello gets asked most: “Where do you buy showgirl stockings?”

You don’t buy them, you make them.

Showgirl stockings start as a pair of fishnet tights. You cut off the legs, then add elastic at the top to create a custom fit. There are a couple of ways to finish them:

1. Threaded Elastic Method: Use a thinner elastic and weave it through the fishnet holes along the top. Adjust the tightness to fit your thighs and sew the ends together.

2. Separate Band Method: Cut the waistband off the original tights, sew the ends to form bands, and use those as detachable tops for your stockings. The stockings roll down over the bands and sit neatly under your curves. This method means you can reuse the bands with new stockings later.

3. No Band Method: Buy Professional fishnets. With the legs of the tights cut off, put your fishnets on and slightly roll down the top. Position them so they hug around your leg underneath your butt.

Making “V” Stockings

“V” stockings have that flattering downward V shape at the front.

You’ll need fishnet tights, elastic, scissors, and a needle and thread. Measure your elastic from your navel to your tailbone, then weave it through the fishnet holes across the top, joining the two ends in the middle. This pulls the stockings into that signature V shape when worn.

Attaching Fishnets to Costumes

If your costume has a very high leg cut but you still want leg coverage, attaching your fishnets directly to your costume can solve the problem.

You’ll need:

• Fishnet tights

• Costume knickers

• Covered hooks (also called fur hooks)

• Needle and thread

• Optional: fabric glue like E6000

Sew the hooks onto your costume with the openings facing down. When you put on your fishnets, tuck them under the hooks to hold them in place. This stops the fishnets from slipping below or creeping above your costume line.

Some performers sew the tights directly into the costume. It’s a clean finish, but you’ll need to unpick and replace them once the tights wear out, so the hook method gives more flexibility.

Hosiery might seem like a small detail, but it shapes how your legs look, how your costume fits, and how confident you feel on stage. Whether you’re layering tights, crafting your own showgirl stockings, or learning the art of a smooth peel, a little knowledge (and some elastic) goes a long way.