Denier Pantyhose

A history of hosiery and its construction

What is hosiery?

Hosiery is simply a term for garments which cover the legs and feet. Another term which is often used in manufacturing and retail is legwear. They're the same thing.
Hosiery is manufactured by a hosier, so often a generic term for hosiery is simply hose. Just about all hosiery is machine knitted from both natural and synthetic yarns and are categorized not only by style and color but also importantly by weight or opacity. The opacity is referred to as denier and is usually indicated on the packaging. A 5 denier pantyhose is very sheer (mostly see through and light weight) whereas a 100 denier tight will be opaque and not let any light through to the skin.

Cotton fiber has been around for millenia, and for ages was the principal fiber used for knitting socks and stockings. Before that, wool was used (and of course still is today). Both are natural, warm and easy to work with. For a more elegant and refined look, the finest hosiery was traditionally made from a different yarn, another natural fiber. This one is spun from, not a plant but a spider. Silk stockings are still today considered to be the finest hosiery one can buy.

The story of women's hosiery here in America changed in a dramatic way in the 1930s. The materials changed and the supply of stockings became artificially scarce. Up until the 1930s, silk was the principal material used to knit stockings and the supplier of that silk was Japan. As the U.S. headed closer and closer to war with Japan, trade between our two countries ground to a halt and so did that lovely supply of silk. Hosiery manufacturers had to find another fine and silky yarn for stockings. In 1938 the Dupont company caused a sensation when it unveiled Nylon stockings for the first time to a huge crowd of eager women. The nylon yarn was the first truly synthetic fiber ever created. The softness and smoothness rivalled that of silk and became an overnight replacement. Women (and men!) loved the new nylon stockings....while they lasted. Soon, the U.S was at war with Germany and Japan and desperately needed all the nylon it could manufacture to be woven into parachutes and clothing for the soldiers. Women had to do without stockings until the end of the war in 1945.

Spandex was the fiber that changed hosiery forever. With the ability to be stretched to twice its length, it was first put into clothing in 1959 and soon went into hosiery. Hosiery such as pantyhose and tights could now stay up on their own. Thus began a dramatic change in the way women wore hosiery. Garters became unnecessary as spandex was blended into yarns used for hosiery and women began to simply wear pantyhose and tights instead of stockings. Bigger cultural shifts were on the horizon as well which would change women's fashion in a big way. Foundation garments like girdles and cinchers were abandoned from everyday use and relegated to the boudoir.

What is the difference between pantyhose and tights?

Well, in the U.S it's the difference in the weight of the yarn (denier). Any hosiery up to 40 denier (see above) is pantyhose and anything thicker are tights. In the U.K., well there are no pantyhose. They call them all tights.

Stockings, thigh highs, hold-up or stay-up...what does that all mean?

Stockings are a general term for hosiery that comes in two pieces, one for each leg. Stockings which cannot stay up on their own need garters or a garter belt to hold them up. They're still called stockings, but any stocking which has an elastic band at the top and can stay up on it's own is a "thigh high" in the U.S and a "Hold up" or "Stay up" in the U.K or Australia.

About the Author

Patrick Bergert is a blogger and freelance writer living in Austin Texas. Currently he contributes tidbits of knowledge at Kuhmillion.com, an online lingerie boutique.

Summer Skirt & Soft Chiffon15 Denier Pantyhose with LoGo Purple Wedges.wmv

OTC Support Pantyhose - 140 Denier, Black, Size 1, Extra Small, Compression 15-20 mmHg, Model 5140

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OTC Support Pantyhose - 140 Denier, Black, Size 1, Extra Small, Compression 15-20 mmHg, Model 5140 UPC: 64009507105 Need a little extra support yet want minimal compression? These stockings are a great alternative to traditional hosiery for women on the go. Soft and sheer (140 Denier). Lace band with silicone border on thigh-high styles. Standard sizes. Wide variety of colors. Machine wash and dry...

OTC Support Pantyhose - 140 Denier, Black, Size 2, Small, Compression 15-20 mmHg, Model 5140

$48.00

OTC Support Pantyhose - 140 Denier, Black, Size 2, Small, Compression 15-20 mmHg, Model 5140 UPC: 64009507106 Need a little extra support yet want minimal compression? These stockings are a great alternative to traditional hosiery for women on the go. Soft and sheer (140 Denier). Lace band with silicone border on thigh-high styles. Standard sizes. Wide variety of colors. Machine wash and dry. Mate...

OTC Support Pantyhose - 140 Denier, Black, Size 3, Medium, Compression 15-20 mmHg, Model 5140

$48.00

OTC Support Pantyhose - 140 Denier, Black, Size 3, Medium, Compression 15-20 mmHg, Model 5140 UPC: 64009507107 Need a little extra support yet want minimal compression? These stockings are a great alternative to traditional hosiery for women on the go. Soft and sheer (140 Denier). Lace band with silicone border on thigh-high styles. Standard sizes. Wide variety of colors. Machine wash and dry. Mat...

Taiwan Lonady Prisla Velvet 50D Denier Stocking Pantyhose

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The 2009-2014 Outlook for Women's, Misses', and Girls' Opaque Stretch Sheer Finished Pantyhose and Tights of at Least 30 Denier in Greater China

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This econometric study covers the latent demand outlook for women's, misses', and girls' opaque stretch sheer finished pantyhose and tights of at least 30 denier across the regions of Greater China, including provinces, autonomous regions (Guangxi, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Xizang - Tibet), municipalities (Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, and Tianjin), special administrative regions (Hong Kong a...

The 2007 Report on Women's, Misses', and Girls' Sheer Stretch Finished Pantyhose and Tights of Less Than 30 Denier: World Market Segmentation by City

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This report was created for global strategic planners who cannot be content with traditional methods of segmenting world markets. With the advent of a âborderless worldâ, cities become a more important criteria in prioritizing markets, as opposed to regions, continents, or countries. This report covers the top 2000 cities in over 200 countries. It does so by reporting the estimated marke...

The 2007 Report on Women's, Misses', and Girls' Opaque Stretch Sheer Finished Pantyhose and Tights of at Least 30 Denier: World Market Segmentation by City

$795.00

This report was created for global strategic planners who cannot be content with traditional methods of segmenting world markets. With the advent of a âborderless worldâ, cities become a more important criteria in prioritizing markets, as opposed to regions, continents, or countries. This report covers the top 2000 cities in over 200 countries. It does so by reporting the estimated marke...

Wolford Naked 8 Sheer Pantyhose Hosiery

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Imported from Italy - Trasparenze Clara 20 - 20 Denier sheer to waist low rise pantyhose/tights with thong back. Made in Italy

Made in Italy, Trasparenze is known for its fine hosiery. The Clara 20 are a gorgeous and soft 20 denier pantyhose. These low waisted hipster tights feel amazing to the touch. Larger waste band keeps them in place - perfect for wearing under low cut pants or a skirt. Sheer to waste with G-String effect that follows and emphasizes the bodyÕs natural curves without flattening them. Featuring invisi...

Satin Touch 20 Denier Control Top Pantyhose

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Luxurious control top pantyhose, Flattens tummy while shaping thighs and rear. Offers an elegant look on legs, Perfect for every day and occasion. Cotton panel Wolford, Style Number: 188-77....