Hosiery Terms Explained
We realise that buying hosiery online may be a little daunting at times as there are no shop staff to explain some of the terminology used. It often seems that terms used for tights and stockings are just made to baffle you, so we have compiled this list so that you can make more informed choices.
Denier
'A unit of weight by which the fineness of silk, rayon, or nylon yarn is measured, equal to the weight in grams of 9,000 metres of the yarn and often used to describe the thickness of hosiery'
Denier refers to the weight of the yarn that was used to produce the item of hosiery. To help put it into context, the thinner, or sheerer, the denier the lower numbers. For instance, 5 denier is just about the most sheer denier. This is the denier that will look almost invisible from a distance, just giving the leg a flawless look.
5 Denier Tights: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/tights-c1#t56
Sheer
Sheer deniers are considered to be any up to 20 denier. The most popular deniers are 10 and 15 denier which are worn for everyday use. Up to 20 denier it shows your skin through, and the lighter colours will be influenced by your skin tone or even your suntan.
Sheer tights and stockings are available in gloss finish which gives a shiny look, or matt finish which has no shine. Sheer is also referred to as translucent or transparent, according to the manufacturer.
To avoid any damage to the hosiery through rough handling or snagging with fingernails or similar we would advise the use of hosiery gloves, or indeed as one of our customers tips, washing up gloves!
Sheer Tights: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/tights-c1/sheer-tights-c19
Sheer Hold Ups: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/hold-ups-c2/sheer-hold-ups-c56
Sheer Stockings: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/stockings-c3/sheer-stockings-c54
Semi Sheer
This is normally considered to be 30 denier, a denier that is becoming increasingly difficult to find. Semi sheer allows a slight view of the skin through.
30 Denier Tights: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/tights-c1#t62
Opaque
The term opaque actually means not letting light through, but in the hosiery world we consider anything that we cannot see through as an opaque. This is normally classed as 40 Denier upwards.
Due to the tighter weave of opaque tights they are much more resilient and tend to be much less likely to ladder or hole. Opaque tights come in a range of deniers as high as 200 or 300 denier and occasionally even higher. They are most popular in the winter and tend toward darker colours, though some of our manufacturers have an excellent range of brighter colours.
Opaque Tights: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/tights-c1/opaque-tights-c16
Opaque Hold Ups: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/hold-ups-c2/opaque-hold-ups-c57
Opaque Stockings: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/stockings-c3/opaque-stockings-c55
Tulle
Tulle is a lightweight very fine net, which is named after a city in the southern central region of France. It is woven to create a hexagonal design which holds its shape and is a very strong weave. Veils are often made of a tulle netting as it obscures the features of the face but allows the wearer to see out.
Sandal Toe
The term sandal toe refers to the finish used to make it suitable to be worn with sandals! This means that the weave of the tight does not alter all of the way down to the seam at the toe. They are closed at the toe. It is worth mentioning here that we have never found any tights, stockings or hold ups that have no seam at the toe, it is the only way that they can finish what is essentially a tube!
Sandal Toe Tights: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/search/sandal-toe-tights
Sandal Toe Hold Ups: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/search/sandal-toe-hold-ups
Sandal Toe Stockings: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/search/stockings-c3/sandal-toe-stockings
Reinforced Toe
This is exactly as it sounds, the toe area has a reinforced weave which normally shows up as a slightly darker or more intensely woven part. Reinforced toes make the tights or stockings more durable as they will resist wear from the rubbing caused by the toe nail rubbing against the front of the shoe.
Reinforced Toe Tights:https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/search/tights-c1/reinforced-toe
Reinforced Toe Hold Ups:https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/search/hold-ups-c2/reinforced-toe
Reinforced Toe Stockings: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/search/stockings-c3/reinforced-toe
Toe-less
Exactly as it sounds, no toe at all. This means that the tights or hold ups will allow your perfectly pedicured toes to peep through. Some manufacturers incorporate little loops to go around the big and little toes while others rely on a band gripping around the foot above toe level. We try to incorporate this in the description as there may be occasions when the freedom of moving the toe-less part further up the foot suits the shoe, whilst the security of a loop around the toe stops them from riding up.
Toeless Tights: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/tights-c1/toeless-tights-c36
Panty Styles Sheer to Waist This refers to the leg finish actually going all of the way to the waistband so that there is no reinforced area showing at all. We see it everyday especially with the trend for shorts and tights - that tell tale band around the top of the leg peeking out is never a good look. Reinforced Panty Incorporated to make the panty area a bit stronger this shows as a more dense weave and normally darker in colour. This can be either in a briefs or boxer short style. The boxer short style is the one that appears below the shorts referred to in the sheer to waist terms! Strip Panty Also known as Suspender Tights these look like tights with the panty cut away at the front, back and sides to leave a 'suspender belt' look.
Suspender Tights: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/tights-c1/suspender-tights-c33
A complete pair of tights except that the gusset area is left open. Some ladies prefer these as being more
Open Gusset
hygienic.
Gusset Free Tights: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/tights-c1/gusset-free-tights-c41
Basically a pair of stockings that are designed to be worn without the need for a suspender belt. Normally there are silicone bands around the inside at the top which gently adhere to the leg. The latest technology means that today's hold ups are much more reliable than ever and will stay in place all day long. A tip to ensure that they do stay in place is to ensure that you do not apply any creams, lotions or talc immediately before wearing your hold ups as this will affect the grip of the silicone bands. Most hold ups have a lace top although increasingly there are plain top versions coming available.
Hold Ups
Hold Ups: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/hold-ups-c2 Similar to hold ups, but without the ability to stay up without the use of a suspender belt.
Stockings: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/stockings-c3
Suspender Belt: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/accessories-c18/suspender-belts-girdles-c77 Tights What can we say? A tight fitting hosiery garment which sheathes the legs, hence the name. Americans know anything up to 40 denier as pantyhose, higher deniers become known as tights. Tights have been worn for centuries, originally by men, and now mainly by women and girls. Increasingly though men are returning to wearing tights, with brands adding styles specifically for them.
Tights: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/tights-c1
Footless Tights
Footless tights are the same as regular tights with the same level of coverage and comfort but are cut off at the ankle area and have no foot. They enable you to a range of footwear with them and can be worn with dresses, shorts or skirts. Footless tights come in a range of denier from 20 denier up to 300 denier.
Footless Tights: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/tights-c1/footless-tights-c5
Leggings
Leggings are much thicker than footless tights, and can be worn like pants.
Leggings: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/tights-c1/leggings-c113
As a seasoned hosiery enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies within this realm, allow me to provide a thorough breakdown of the concepts presented in the article "Hosiery Terms Explained."
Denier: Denier is a crucial metric in the hosiery world, representing the weight of the yarn used to produce an item. The denier value indicates the thickness of the hosiery, with lower numbers signifying thinner or more sheer fabrics. For instance, 5 denier is considered extremely sheer, providing a nearly invisible appearance and a flawless look to the legs.
Sheer: Sheer hosiery typically ranges up to 20 denier, allowing some visibility of the skin. These are commonly worn for everyday use and are available in both gloss and matt finishes. Gloss finish provides a shiny look, while matt finish lacks shine. Sheer is also referred to as translucent or transparent, depending on the manufacturer.
Semi-Sheer: At around 30 denier, semi-sheer hosiery allows a slight view of the skin. However, finding hosiery in this denier range can be challenging.
Opaque: Opaque hosiery, with a denier of 40 and upwards, does not let light through. These are known for their resilience, less likelihood of laddering or holing, and are popular in the winter, often available in darker colors.
Tulle: Tulle refers to a lightweight, fine net woven into a hexagonal design, with origins named after a city in France. It's a strong weave commonly used in veils, obscuring facial features while allowing the wearer to see out.
Sandal Toe: Sandal toe finish is designed for wearing with sandals, ensuring that the weave of the tights does not extend all the way to the toe, allowing for a closed-toe appearance.
Reinforced Toe: Featuring a reinforced weave in the toe area, reinforced toe hosiery is more durable, resisting wear caused by friction from the toenail against shoes.
Toe-less: Toe-less hosiery leaves the toes exposed, either with loops around the big and little toes or a band gripping above the toes.
Panty Styles:
- Sheer to Waist: Leg finish extends to the waistband, avoiding a reinforced area showing.
- Reinforced Panty: Incorporates a denser weave in the panty area for added strength.
- Strip Panty: Resembles tights with the panty cut away, leaving a 'suspender belt' appearance.
Open Gusset: Complete tights with an open gusset, preferred by some for hygiene reasons.
Hold Ups: Similar to stockings but designed to stay up without a suspender belt, typically featuring silicone bands for grip.
Stockings: Require a suspender belt to stay up and lack the silicone bands found in hold ups.
Tights: A tight-fitting hosiery garment that sheathes the legs. In the U.S., anything up to 40 denier is known as pantyhose, while higher deniers are referred to as tights.
Footless Tights: Tights without the foot, offering coverage up to the ankle. Suitable for various footwear and can be worn with dresses, shorts, or skirts.
Leggings: Thicker than footless tights, leggings can be worn as pants.
With this comprehensive breakdown, I hope to demystify the terminology surrounding hosiery, empowering individuals to make informed choices when navigating the world of online hosiery shopping.
