Hosiery Terms Explained

Buying hosiery online can be confusing without shop staff to explain the terminology. Here’s a guide to help you understand the key terms:

Denier Denier measures the yarn weight used in hosiery. It's defined as the weight in grams of 9,000 meters of yarn. Lower numbers indicate sheerer, lighter hosiery. For instance, 5 denier is one of the sheerest, appearing almost invisible from a distance, giving the leg a flawless look.

Sheer Sheer hosiery ranges up to 20 denier, with 10 and 15 denier being the most popular for everyday use. These show your skin tone and can come in gloss or matt finishes. Gloss gives a shiny look, while matt has no shine. Sheer hosiery is also called translucent or transparent, depending on the manufacturer. To avoid damage from rough handling or snagging with fingernails, we recommend using hosiery gloves or even washing up gloves.

Semi Sheer Semi-sheer hosiery is typically 30 denier, which allows a slight view of the skin. This denier is becoming increasingly rare but offers a balance between sheer and opaque.

Opaque Opaque hosiery starts at 40 denier and does not let light through. These tights are more resilient and less likely to ladder or develop holes. Opaque tights come in various deniers, up to 200 or 300, and are especially popular in winter. They are available in darker colors, though some manufacturers offer brighter hues.

Tulle Tulle is a lightweight, very fine net named after a city in France. It features a hexagonal weave that holds its shape and is very strong. Often used for veils, tulle obscures the features of the face while allowing the wearer to see through it.

Sandal Toe Sandal toe hosiery has a consistent weave down to the toe seam, making it suitable for wearing with sandals. They are closed at the toe. It's important to note that all tights, stockings, or hold-ups have a seam at the toe, as this is necessary to finish the garment.

Reinforced Toe Reinforced toe hosiery has a denser weave in the toe area, making it more durable and resistant to wear from rubbing against shoes.

Toe-less Toe-less hosiery does not cover the toes, allowing them to show. Some versions have loops around the big and little toes, while others use a band above the toes to stay in place. This design can be adjusted for comfort and to suit different shoes.

Panty Styles

  • Sheer to Waist: The sheer material extends all the way to the waistband, with no reinforced area at the top. This style is popular for wearing with shorts to avoid the visible band around the top of the leg.
  • Reinforced Panty: The panty area has a denser, darker weave for added strength and can be in a briefs or boxer style. The boxer style is the one that appears below shorts, as mentioned in the sheer to waist description.
  • Strip Panty: Also known as Suspender Tights, these have cut-outs in the panty area to create a 'suspender belt' look.

Open Gusset (or Open Crotch): Open gusset hosiery has a complete pair of tights with an open area in the gusset. Some women prefer this style for hygiene reasons.

Hold Ups Hold-ups are stockings designed to stay up without a suspender belt, thanks to silicone bands inside the top. Modern technology has made them very reliable, but for the best results, avoid applying creams, lotions, or talc before wearing them. Hold-ups often have a lace top, though plain top versions are also available.

Stockings Similar to hold-ups but without the ability to stay up on their own, stockings require a suspender belt to keep them in place.

Tights Tights are a tight-fitting hosiery garment that covers the legs. In the US, they are called pantyhose up to 40 denier; higher deniers are known as tights. Originally worn by men, tights are now primarily worn by women and girls, though some styles are designed for men.

Footless Tights Footless tights are like regular tights but cut off at the ankle, allowing you to wear a range of footwear. They can be paired with dresses, shorts, or skirts and come in deniers from 20 to 300.

Leggings Leggings are thicker than footless tights and can be worn as pants. They offer more coverage and are suitable for various outfits.