Hosiery Terminology

Thank you for shopping Treat4You. Our philosophy is to make every sale easy, smooth and timely. This page is dedicated to hosiery / stockings terminology. If you find that it does not answer all your questions, please let us know and we will be happy to share any knowledge we have about stockings.
For your convenience all terminology is sorted alphabetical.

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.

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.

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.