Stockings TerminologySo you are tallking with other stockings lovers
and keep hearing these weird and wonderful words but dont know what they
mean? Well below is a list of alphabetically organised and thoughtfully
compiled terminologies to help you.
Cotton
Cotton is
a soft, staple fiber that grows around the seeds of cotton plants. Cotton is
highly absorbent and breathable which makes it the most widely used
natural-fiber cloth in clothing today. Cotton looses its shape quickly so in
stockings it is mostly used in combination with other materials such as
polyester or nylon.
Capri Style
Capri style leggings or tights go from the
waist and end mid calf. The are made to wear not all the way down to your
ankles.
Cuban Heel
In stockings it refers to a heel made with
folded over and sewn reinforcement. A very sexy look that draws attention to the
heel.
Denier
Denier is a unit of density measurement for
textile fibers. The lower the denier, the finer the yarn. For stockings that
means the lower the denier the more sheer the stockings. The higher the denier,
the more opaque the hosiery.
Fishnet
Fishnet in stockings is referred to as an open
knitted material that reminds of a fisherman's net. It comes in all different
sizes from small net to a large diamond net. Fishnet always add a sexy touch to
legs. While worn only for special occasion in the past, today fishnet stockings
have made it out of the closet into mainstream and can be worn as a fashionable
touch for everyday wear. Fishnets do come as thigh hi stockings and pantyhose
Hold-ups / Stay-ups
Also referred to as Thigh Hi
stockings. These stockings end somewhere between the knee and the upper thigh.
They do hold up on the leg without a garter belt or any other attachment.
Leggings
Leggings are tights that have no foot. They are
form-fitting garments that extend from the waist to the ankles. You can wear
them under skirts for a fashionable accent. Others can be worn as gym pants as
well.
Lycra
Lycra is the most famous brand name for Spandex, a
material with exceptional high elasticity. Hosiery with Lycra keep their shape
better and are more stretchy than just Nylon stockings
Microfiber
Microfiber is a high-tech fiber with strands
less than one denier. A blend of polyester and polyamide (class of natural and
synthetic materials with a variety of properties and purposes), microfibers are
exceptionally soft and hold their shape well. It is a space age material since
it is soft, lightweight that lets moisture through for a soft and clean feeling.
As such it has become a very popular alternative to cotton apparel for athletic
wear.
Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic silky material, first
commercially used in 1938. Then came the famous "Nylons" a name used for
pantyhose when they first came out in the 1940s. Nylon as a material keeps its
shape nicely and can be made into the most fine fibers available. Most hosiery
is made of Nylon, by itself or in combination with other materials.
Opaque
Opaque refers to something you can not see
through. The opposite of sheer. Generally, stockings of 40 denier and more are
opaque.
Pantyhose
Pantyhose are sheer, close fitting leg
coverings from waist to feet. Pantyhose is an American term, a combination of
panties and a hose. Besides being sheer, Pantyhose are lightweight and have a
lower Denier than tights do.
Polyester
A synthetic material that is the most widely
used manufactured fiber in the United States. Polyester fabrics have improved
wrinkle resistance and the material is tough and durable. Often, polyester
fibers are spun together with natural fibers, such as cotton to get the best of
the natural properties combined with the advantages of polyester
Sheer
Sheer is another term for see-through. The opposite
of opaque. Generally, pantyhose of 20 denier or less is considered sheer.
Silicone
Some high end thigh hi stockings have a silicone
backing for a more comfortable hold on the skin. Silicone backings are skin
friendly and not as restrictive as some other elastic material used to back
thigh hi's.
Spandex
Spandex or Elastane is a synthetic fiber known
for its exceptional elasticity. It is one of the most commonly used materials in
lingerie. The most famous brand name associated with spandex is Lycra. Stockings
with Spandex stretch and keep their shape better than regular Nylon hosiery.
Stockings
A stocking is a close-fitting, variously
elastic garment covering the foot and lower part of the leg. In modern usage,
stocking specifically refers to the form of women's hosiery configured as two
pieces, one for each leg. (Wikipedia).Stockings do come in in a variety of
sheer, opaque and fishnet designs and/or combination of all. Also referred to as
Thigh Hi's
Thigh Hi Stockings
Also referred to as Stay-ups. These
stockings end somewhere between the knee and the upper thigh. They do hold up on
the leg either with a garter belt or are reinforced with elastic materials that
make the thigh his stay up on their own. The best material for a thigh hi to
stay up is silicone. It is skin friendly and clings to the thigh very
comfortable with out any tightness.
Tights
Tights are opaque leg covering, extending from the
waist to feet, and fitting as tightly as possible to the body. Tights are
heavier and warmer than pantyhose. In general, tights have a higher denier than
pantyhose. Footless tights are called Leggings.
Ultra Sheer
Extra fine and super sheer material. Usually,
ultra-sheer has 10 denier.
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