We understand the complexity of purchasing pantyhose, tights and hosiery in general and have set out to compile a list of glossary terms to help you successfully select pairs to benefit your desired needs.
The term denier refers to the thickness of the weight of the yarn that was used to produce the hosiery. The higher the number the thicker the tights, and the lower the number the lighter the pair of hosiery. When choosing a pair of hosiery, one must think of the amount of coverage needed on the leg for the desired look. The higher the denier, the thicker the tights, and the more warmth your legs will experience. The lighter the pantyhose, the more sheer and natural look on the leg will be achieved.
Here are some terms used below to describe the weight of hosiery.
SHEER HOSIERY
Typically worn during the spring & summer months, they provide the leg with light coverage for an overall natural look. The can be matte or have a high gloss finish with a sheer finish, between 5-30 denier.
SEMI SHEER & SEMI OPAQUE HOSIERY
This is a pair between 30 and 50, giving your legs a little coverage during the early fall, and will keep the legs warm.
OPAQUE HOSIERY
An excellent pair for fall winter months, they’re soft and comfortable with a denier between 50 to 200 and can be much higher in number. Some opaque tights have the look of leggings, as they are thicker and provide much more coverage. But since they’re, constructed with seam lines around the hips, waist and the footed feet area, that’s different from leggings, they cannot be worn as pants. Always wear them to accessorize your fashion outfits.
MATTE FINISHES
This type of hosiery finish will be in a nude or opaque pair.
- Nude, or sheer tights aim to achieve a natural look without giving any shine or shimmer to your skin tone,
- Opaque tights of 40 denier or more that give a solid, opaque colour without any shimmer or gloss to the yarns, providing the legs with a beautiful matte look.
GlOSSY/SHINY FINISHES
This gives the legs a highly polished and moisturized look, this is a looks most favored by celebrities, royals and the fashionistas. It gives the legs a glamorous look, and makes a beautiful statement.
REINFORCED TOE
This term refers to a pair of hosiery with a reinforced or double layer at the toes, you will see that the layer is thicker than the rest of the body of the hosiery. It is in place to protect your toes and increase the durability of the tights. It’s more common in sheer pantyhose as they’re lighter in weight and this reinforcement can prevent laddering at the toe,
SANDAL TOE
This style is designed to be sheer at the toes without any reinforced seam. It has the single seam at the toe which can be tucked under to give the impression of not wearing a pair of pantyhose.
SHEER TO WAIST
It’s a consistent sheer or nude look throughout the entire pair of pantyhose and provides a more natural look.
BOXER BRIEF
On a pantyhose, the boxer brief will stand out as the upper part of the pantyhose is reinforced into a boxer brief style. It will be thicker in weight and the rest of the hosiery will be lighter. This type of style is more common in shape wear to give the wearer more support and figure shaping smooth finishes.
GUSSET
This is applied to the crotch area for added durability and comfort. Gussets can be made from the same material to provide an even look or with the more commonly silk and cotton lining for hygienic reasons.
WITHOUT GUSSET
Some hosiery are made without gussets, where its just the nylons joined together at the seams. Take caution as this pair is more prone to rips as pressure is applied on the crotch seams.
TIGHTS
TIghts are known as also known as pantyhose in the USA, they give your legs comfort, warmth, and individual style.