Hosiery Glossary And Information

Bridal

Whether you're tying the knot, you're a bridesmaid or you're a proud member of the family, we've got your hosiery sorted out for the big day. Often with bridal wear it's tradition to have on white stockings or hold ups, although tights are perfect too. In our bridal range at UK Tights, we have provided you with traditional, innovative, and sexy designs and we even the garters to go with our stunning hosiery. Aurora Bridal Garter, Charnos Bridal Lace Garter Band. In our bridal range at UK Tights, we have provided you with the traditional, the innovative, the sexy and even the garters to go with that stunning hosiery. Cervin Champs Elysees Silk Stockings. 

Briefs

The brief is the section of the hosiery which starts at the waist or hip and finishes at the top of the thigh. However, there are various types of brief and each has its own qualities.
Sheer to waistThese items is consistant from the toes to the top of the tights. Be it sheer or opaque, the effect is still known as sheer to waist. 
Boxer briefThe denier of the leg and brief is different. The brief is thicker around the top of the waist to the thigh, which provides extra reinforcement. This area is noticeably darker. 
V-line brief Kunert's Satin Look Tights have a v-line brief. Not dissimilar to the boxer brief, the v-line brief is reinforced around the pelvic area, in a triangular shape. This provides a more natural and feminine shape that a standard boxer brief. 

Denier

It's important to note, denier actually refers to fabric weight. However, denier is most often used to measure the thickness of items. Most items use a higher denier to denote a thicker item. When items do not conform with this system, we will notify customers on the product page.

Sheer Sheer hosiery is 5 denier to 30 denier. Sheer Tights
Semi-sheer hosiery is from 30 � 40 denier. Semi Sheer 
Opaques hosiery is 40 denier or higher. 
Denier does not effect material finish. Bronzing effects and gloss are available for both sheer and opaque tights. It also does not effect an item's support factor. 

Finish

Hosiery can come in a range of different finishes. 
Matte items have no gloss. Matte is elegant and simple and can be worn at the office or on a night out. Matte tights
Slight sheen or soft sheen means a subtle gloss that's livelier than matte. Its subtlety makes it look almost like you have nothing on your legs and makes it very versatile. It looks great on a night out or for a business meeting.
Shiny refers to leg wear with a sheen that is noticeable enough to show you are wearing hosiery. They are perfect for enhancing your legs but they are still tasteful.
High-shine is any leg wear that is very shiny, including wet look items. This is for making your legs very noticeable and to attract attention to your outfit high gloss and other similar terminology.

Footless

These are items that end at the ankle, leaving the foot free. Ideal for warmer temperature's so your feet aren't over heated. Footless Tights 

Gussets

A panel added to the crotch for comfort, fit and personal hygiene. Gussets are usually cotton or made from the same material as the product. 
Plain gusset are panels made from the same material as the rest of the item 
Cotton or silk gussets are ideal for tights because they are natural materials and ensure superior hygiene and breatability 
No gusset designs simply have a seam instead of an oval shape panel. This seam can sometimes be sewn into a v-shape to provide greater fit. 
Open gusset refers to items where the gusset is removed, leaving them crotchless. This is preferable for hygiene reason. Crotchless Tights 

Hold-ups

Alternatively, "stay ups" or "thigh highs", hold ups cover the leg up to the thigh. They are often decorated with a floral lace cuff at the top of the garment. They use silicone to stay up and require no suspender belt. Please note, those with sensitive skin or allergies may have irritated skin when using silicone based products. Hold ups 

Maternity

Maternity tights are extra stretchy around the stomach so they fit comfortably without reducing circulation. They are very comfortable and help keep you warm. They are often designed with a massaging effect so your legs won't become as tired during pregnancy. Maternity Tights 

Socks and Knee-Highs

Socks Socks normally refer to the ankle socks variety. They cover the toes and foot and end over the ankle or part way up the calf.Socks 
Flight or compression socks occasionally prescribed as a medical precaution, can be worn by both men and women to help guard against medical risks incurred on long-haul flights. They can also be worn day to day to help massage your feet. Flight Sicks 
Knee Highs or Pop Socks are longer garments that reach the knee. Please note, over the knee socks are socks reach several inches above the knee-caps, reaching the bottom of the thigh. Knee highs sit under the knees. Knee Highs 

Pantyhose

An American English term used to signify sheer tights (up to 30 denier). Also, in the US "tights" describes opaques (over 40 denier). 

Shapewear

Shapewear helps mould and massage your legs, pelvis or midriff, enhancing your figure. Perfect for evening wear. 
Thigh bum shapewear enhances the thighs, bum and lower pelvis area Bodytoner Tights 
Shock up is a range that shapes and defines your midriff and pelvis. This gives you stronger support than most shapewear without being impossible to get on Shock Up 
Control top tones the bum and thigh area mostly but can also shape the rest of the leg and stomach Control Top 
Waist cincher are designed to keep the lower and upper stomach shaped for an hourglass effect Waist Cincher 

Skin tones and colour guide

Porcelain/English Rose. This skin type is typified by paler, fairer skin. Cette's Tendresse and Levante's Natural are ideal for caucasian skin and Trasparenze's Bianco-Seta is ideal for porcelain and Nordic skin. strong colours like burgundy and greens work well also. 
Olive/Mediterranean. Those of you who have the gorgeous hint of golden honey in your colouring, choose something richer in color to compliment your natural tones and choose neutral tones to make the most of your complexion 
Asian. This tone is defined by subtle hints of yellows and browns. Picking a darker palette, like earthy browns, can compliment this tone or you can go with extremely bright colours like pinks and yellows for contrast. 
African. Black is a classic choice for anyone, but is particularly good for darker skin. African skin tones are also great for contrast, so choosing something very light, like a cream or ivory, can work very well. Like Asian skin, bright colours stand out even more against your body and look absolutely stunning. 

Stockings

A classic in the hosiery world, stockings were the first type of leg wear available and they remain a cassic choice. They require a suspender belt, which clips to the welt (see "welt" below for a definition). Stockings can be worn under an business skirt or can go hand in hand with a bottle of champagne and some sexy lingerie. which clips to the welt (see Welt for definition) of the garment. can be worn under an elegant business skirt but can go hand in hand with a bottle of champagne and some sexy lingerie. 

Tights

A tight-fitting garment thatcovers everything from the toes to the waist. They are a versatile garment that makes it easy to sport printed patterns, stitched and woven details and other features. Please note, American English differs in terminology. In the US, "pantyhose" refers to sheer items (30 denier or less) and "tights" refers to only thicker items. In the UK, "tights" refers to all items that fit the above definition, no matter the denier. 

Toes

Reinforced toes prevent damage that can occur in the toe of some hosiery. Manufacturers include a strengthening panel, preventing tears and rips. This can be sometimes be seen so it is often worn with shoes that cover the toes. 
Sandal toes use lighter coloured or sheerer material, mimicing the sheerness of the rest of the garment. This provides strength and invisibility. Perfect for toeless shoes. 
Open toe means a garment where your toes are free of material entirelyd. These can be perfect when wearing toeless shoes or any footwear with straps that go inbetween your toes. Open Toe Tights 

Waistbands

The top of an item of hosiery can be low on the hip (hipsters), sit on the waist as normal (regular) or can continue until just under the bra (high-waist). These often provide extra support, but if it is not stated on our product pages, this feature is just for aesthetics. 



The original glossary can be found at uktights.com