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Confused by some of the industry jargon or technical terminology used to describe hosiery? We thought we would help clarify by creating this simple hosiery terms glossary.
Pantyhose refers to the combination of both panty and stocking into a one-piece waist-high garment that extends to the toes.
This type of panty is made of heavier stretch nylon or a combination of nylon and LYCRA®. This extra reinforcement makes this panty more resistant than an all-sheer. All reinforced panties have a mesh-constructed band at the bottom to help prevent runs from going into the legs.
The purpose of control top pantyhose is to control and smooth the tummy. The level of control ranges from light to firm depending on the fabric construction and the percentage of LYCRA®. Control tops provide a smooth contour from waist to thigh and are ideal for wear under close fitting garments.
Cotton gussets are triangular, diamond or oval shaped inserts in the crotch of pantyhose. They add hygienic freshness, breathability and comfort, by improving fit.
Sheer-to-waist refers to pantyhose without a panty line or reinforcement in the panty portion. It is all sheer from waist to toe. The yarn in the panty is the same denier, or sheerness, as the leg yarn.
Waistless hosiery has no waistband & can be positioned anywhere on the body that is comfortable.
Sheer hosiery is transparently thin and generally produced from 20 denier yarns. Often referred to as “day sheers”, they are great for any occasion where a hint of colour is desired.
Ultra sheer hosiery is even more transparent than sheer hosiery, and is made from fine delicate yarns of 15 denier or less. Ultra sheer hosiery is often worn for special occasions or any time for a “bare-legged” look.
Women who wear closed-toe shoes and boots need the strength that the additional nylon gives the toe section of their pantyhose.
In the event that a hole occurs in the toe of the pantyhose, it will not run up into the leg.
This toe construction has the same yarns as in the leg portion but knitted in a mesh construction which is more durable.
This is a sheer toe, meaning that there is no heavier yarn used in the toe section and has no visible line. Ideal for wearing with sandals.
Toeless hosiery has no toe section & ends before the toes with a thong strap to hold the hosiery in place. Ideal for open-toe shoes in the warmer weather.
We refer to short hosiery that comes to just below the knee as Knee Hi’s. Comfortable lycra® bands hold them in place.
Legwear made of yarn which gives them a heavier appearance, usually 40 denier or greater in denier count. Opaque hosiery gives a denser look of colour to the leg.
Light support pantyhose are made with a low denier spandex in the leg, usually 40 denier or lower, to give light compression and sheer support.
This type of support hosiery is more comfortable because there are no sudden changes in the tightness of the spandex going up & down the leg. The changes in the levels of compression throughout the hose are gradual and smooth.
Graduation refers to the tapering of the leg from the top to the bottom by tightening the stitches to give a proper fit at the ankle, knee, thigh & top of the panty.
Technically speaking, denier refers to the weight per-unit-length measure of a textile fiber or yarn. It is an indicator of sheerness, and typically the lower the denier, the more sheer the pantyhose. Generally speaking, a higher denier count will indicate a more opaque hosiery product. Quite simply, 20 denier and below are more sheer products, whereas 40 denier and above are more opaque. A denier count of 100 or above is generally quite opaque in appearance.
Microfibre yarns have a special construction that results in a hosiery product that is luxuriously soft with tremendous stretch and recovery properties.
Matte hosiery products have a dull finish, without shine or luster.
Metallic yarns are usually manufactured with metallic coated polyester and are used as an accent in novelty legwear.
Nylon is a man-made fiber introduced in 1938. It is the first and oldest of the true synthetics. It is made from fiber derived from coal, air and water; and is famous for its strength, resistance, stability, soft hand, elasticity, easy-washing and quick-drying characteristics.
This terminology refers to DuPont® brand hosiery garments that contain lycra® in every row of stitches. This gives the garment an exceptional fit & smooth appearance.
Lycra® Spandex is a registered trademark of DuPont® and is the brand name for their spandex fiber; which is commonly used in sheer hosiery to provide better fit, shape retention, comfort and/or support.
“One size” applies to legwear that fit most sizes from small to large.
A portion of the hose is knitted with mesh construction to prevent runs from going into the leg, either above the toe area or below the panty area.
Cold boarding is a process in which hosiery is put on a straight flat form and placed in a low steam tunnel to slightly iron and dry the product.
Boarding is a process in which hosiery is put on a flat aluminum form and shaped like a foot and leg, then put in a steam tunnel. Heat and steam are applied so the hosiery adapts to the shape of the leg form. This process gives the hosiery an ironed appearance and a softer touch.
These garments are not subjected to a full heat setting operation. In appearance they are slightly wrinkled & shapeless until stretched.
