Gio’s Fully Fashioned stockings are knitted in England on original Reading machines. The stocking is first knitted flat, gradually shaping its contour, and the edges of the knit are then joined with a seam at the back. So this seam is not merely decoration. It is part of the stocking’s construction, arising from the knitting method itself.

A seam running up the leg does not always tell you how a stocking was made. In modern styles a similar line is often only decorative, so at first glance stockings can look alike even though their production differs. When looking for authentic Fully Fashioned stockings, it is worth finding out whether they are truly knitted flat and joined at the back. In Gio’s case the seam is not an imitation of vintage style but a real join of the knit.

The Cuban Heel and Point Heel models compete for the Gio Top spot with different strengths. The Cuban Heel stands out with a wide, clearly defined rectangular heel reinforcement. This shape gives the stockings a restrained, classic look in which clear lines and proportions matter most. In Gio’s guide this design is presented as the foundation of a vintage stocking collection, especially suited to those choosing Fully Fashioned stockings for the first time.

Instead of a rectangular outline, the Point Heel offers a tapering line. Its heel reinforcement gradually narrows to a point that visually extends the seam up the back and lengthens the line of the leg. This shape is also called the French heel, and in Gio’s guide the model is described as an all-time favourite. The Cuban Heel charms with restrained geometry, the Point Heel draws attention with a more graceful, slightly coquettish silhouette. Which one deserves the Gio Top spot depends on the vintage look you want to create.

RHT is an abbreviation of the English words Reinforced Heel and Toe, meaning a reinforced heel and toe area. What matters is that RHT tells you which parts of the stocking are reinforced, while Fully Fashioned describes the knitting method. These are not two names for the same feature, so they should not be seen as completely opposite types of stockings.

Gio’s RHT models have no seam at the back. Their heel and toe area is reinforced, but the seam typical of Fully Fashioned stockings does not run up the leg. If you like the aesthetic of thin nylon and vintage stockings but want a more restrained look, RHT is worth a closer look. Like the other stockings in this Gio collection, they are designed to be worn with a garter belt, and the size should be chosen using the manufacturer’s size chart.

Gio stockings are knitted from 15 denier nylon without elastane. The fabric is very thin and barely stretches, so the stocking size you usually wear is not a reliable guide here. Before choosing, it is worth opening the manufacturer’s size chart and following the data given there, rather than relying only on previous experience with elastic stockings.

What matters is how the stocking fits along the whole leg, not only whether you can pull it on. A size that is too small can overstretch the nylon, while stockings that are too large may wrinkle. After pulling the stockings on, smooth them gently without tugging in one place, and only then attach them to the garter belt. If the fabric is strongly stretched or gathers in folds, it is worth checking the size again before wearing.

First gently gather the stocking in your hands and carefully slip your foot in. Then gradually smooth the nylon up the leg without pulling the fabric in one spot. Gio stockings are very thin, 15 denier, and have no elastane, so there is no need to hurry. If the model has a seam at the back, check that it runs straight before attaching.

Once the fabric is evenly distributed, fasten the garter belt clips to the top of the stocking. Make sure the fabric is not twisted in the clips or strongly stretched. Then adjust the length of the straps so that the stockings stay neat but are not pulled tight. After attaching, move around a little and see whether anything needs adjusting.

To keep thin nylon looking neat for next time, wash the stockings by hand with fabrics of similar colours. Do not bleach them or put them in a tumble dryer.