Dark stockings and clothes - is anything safe?

I really like the way dark thigh high sock/stockings look, but I'm so scared about stains! I see lots of DDs wearing them, though (just for photo shoots maybe?) So I thought I'd ask: Are there any dark socks or stocking that are safe from staining? Or any other dark clothes that are known for not causing stains?

 

I've been trying to plan my girls' outfits to avoid dark clothing altogether, but it's starting to feel monotonous, so much white and pastel colors ^_^;;

Basically its on a case by case basis, there are some black socks and whatnot that will stain pretty well instantly (my commissioned Megurine Luka outfit has socks that stained instantly and badly comes to mind), or Rin's socks. But there's also plenty of black things (The black tights from the MDD Sweet Devil jacket set) that won't stain, pretty well ever. I personally have blank obitsu heads from the obitsu50 bodies I use on 2 of my customs to stain test, but failing that you could try an inconspicuous area like the bottom of the feet, or use something like a Coolcats or Volks body stocking depending on the outfit style.

It's really hard to say - and it's pretty much a case by case thing, and trial and error.

 

I have a black t-shirt from Nine9style that has never stained, but I bought a similar long-sleeved shirt and it did (but I did leave it on for about 2 weeks... it would have probably been safe for just a photo shoot).

 

I know that Natsuki's version 2 default set doesn't stain - I had a girl wearing it for 3 weeks (without the black arm warmer, but with the red cuff) and neither the outfit or socks stained and it's all black and red.

Moe v.2's default set doesn't stain either.

 

I found a small batch of black jersey that doesn't stain - it's what my KOS-MOS' socks and arm warmers were made of, and she's lived in that for months now.

 

I have an awesome black dress from DollHeart that doesn't stain either.

Yeah, I've had similar experience in that it's hit-or-miss, just depending on the fabric and how the pigment got applied to it. I got no stains from the black satin skirt in the Volks Lady Vampire set, but the spandex-ish material that they used for the tops of Nanoha's default stockings did stain.

 

I too have thus taken to shoving a spare part--usually an extra hand--into the fabric or clothing article for a week or so to test my purchases, since the hand is a lot easier to stain treat than an entire doll. Don't catch everything this way, as I sometimes have a brain fart and forget, but still gives some peace of mind.

From my own experience, anything your doll wears or touches will cause potential stains.

 

If you're going to get black socks, I suggest washing them a few times before putting them on.

Here is a tutorial on how to stain proof your girl's clothes.

 

Even after washing a few times, I still suggest wearing a body stocking as a precaution to staining.

 

Good luck! And may the stains never appear on your girls.

From my own experience, anything your doll wears or touches will cause potential stains.

 

If you're going to get black socks, I suggest washing them a few times before putting them on.

Here is a tutorial on how to stain proof your girl's clothes.

 

Even after washing a few times, I still suggest wearing a body stocking as a precaution to staining.

 

Good luck! And may the stains never appear on your girls.

 

I got a good laugh out of the part quoting Wolfeinrich about the Saber Maid dress being dyed with 100% Pure Villainy... Because that dress is definitely dyed that way... The only time I've ever seen an outfit make nearly pure jet black stain marks on a DD was from the thread used in this dress. The dress not only stains on contact, but also causes vapor stains to things close to it.

 

Interestingly enough, the black stockings from ALNA's Border Knit set (the one with the awesome jean shorts) do not stain at all, yet the top of ALNA's default set causes minor stains due to the dye in the shoulder strap thread.

I've found that the only parts of Saber Alter 2nd's outfit that stain at all are some of the threads on the pantsu seams and possibly the internal seams of the arm cuffs, although with the arm cuffs its more pressure markings than stains.

I've yet to see a stain on Saber Nero yet, and she's been wearing her dress since I opened her box.

Yeah, it's all definitely hit-or-miss. You never know!

Thanks for the replies, and the tutorial!

 

I like to have have my dolls out, I don't think I could get something that they could only wear for a short bit... le sigh. I don't think I can work body stocking + socks at the same time ^_^;;

You can definitely wear the body stocking and socks at the same time.

You can definitely wear the body stocking and socks at the same time.

Any nice pictures? If it looks good I'll definitely try it!

You can definitely wear the body stocking and socks at the same time.

Any nice pictures? If it looks good I'll definitely try it!

 

Haha, I'm so bad at taking photos below the waist. But I found one! (Sort of)

 

Rise Kitten by mintycafe, on Flickr

Nice pic! The skin looking stockings might work then. The thicker white Cool Cat ones, I don't know.

Semi-transparent white hose/leg/waist stocking and thigh-highs.

 

DSC00431SLT-A77VDT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM20120216 by Visual Cacophony, on Flickr

The most insidious stain risk as far as I am concerned isn't the dark clothing which I always regard with great suspicion. What of those garments you'd never suspect of being a stain risk? The risk I am thinking of is those little Volks labels that are sewn into otherwise innocent garments. For example, I had a nice pair or white cotton undies on one of my girls and didn't think a thing about it until some months later when she was being redressed and I found a very dark stain on her hip and thigh. It didn't take long to identify the culprit - the Volks brand label sewn into the side seam of the undies. Why they cannot use a lighter and safer color I don't know. But now anything I get from Volks that will go directly on a doll and touch their skin, I check every seam and carefully remove the Volks labels with a stitch picker or very sharp knife.

 

Honestly I am still surprised (heaven knows why) that Volks would allow a several hundred dollar product to be damaged by something as simple and cheap to fix as their branding label sewn into clothing.

 

Twin pines removed most of the stain....

The most insidious stain risk as far as I am concerned isn't the dark clothing which I always regard with great suspicion. What of those garments you'd never suspect of being a stain risk? The risk I am thinking of is those little Volks labels that are sewn into otherwise innocent garments. For example, I had a nice pair or white cotton undies on one of my girls and didn't think a thing about it until some months later when she was being redressed and I found a very dark stain on her hip and thigh. It didn't take long to identify the culprit - the Volks brand label sewn into the side seam of the undies. Why they cannot use a lighter and safer color I don't know. But now anything I get from Volks that will go directly on a doll and touch their skin, I check every seam and carefully remove the Volks labels with a stitch picker or very sharp knife.

 

Honestly I am still surprised (heaven knows why) that Volks would allow a several hundred dollar product to be damaged by something as simple and cheap to fix as their branding label sewn into clothing.

 

Twin pines removed most of the stain....

That's a good point! I received some dolls clothes from Alice Collections and noticed they had dark tags on them... I removed them from the pieces I tried on, but I'll be extra vigilant to look for more.

Has anyone tried using Saran/Plastic wrap in segments over their doll's legs? I thought about taking off my DD's headcap and wrapping it in plastic wrap