Hosiery

Hosiery is knitted coverings for the legs and feet. Also referred to as legwear, hosiery describes garments worn directly on the feet and legs. The term originated as the collective term for products of which a maker or seller is termed a hosier, and those products are also known generically as hose. The term is also used for all types of knitted fabric.

Most hosiery garments are made by knitting methods. Modern hosiery is usually tight-fitting by virtue of stretchy fabrics and meshes. Older forms include binding to achieve a tight fit. Due to its close fit, most hosiery can be worn as an undergarment, but it is more commonly worn as a combined under/outer garment.

Types

• Garter belt
• Hold-ups (British English)
• Leggings
• Mantyhose
• Meggings
• Pantyhose (American English)
• Socks
• Stockings, held by garters
• Suspender tights
• Thigh-high stockings (American English
• Tights (British English)
• Toe socks

Hosiery terms

Control top

Pantyhose with spandex knit in the top for comfortable, all-over control.

Denier

The thickness of the yarn. The lower the denier number, the finer or sheerer the yarn.

Lycra spandex

Lycra is a registered trademark of Dupont, for their spandex fiber. Lycra is the most recognized name in spandex, used in sheer hosiery, socks, and knee-highs. Its stretch and recovery properties provide superior fit and shape retention, comfort, and/or support.

Microfiber

Nylon microfibers are approximately 60 times finer than a human hair. Legwear made with microfiber is extremely soft and has a luxurious feeling.

Nylon

Introduced by DuPont in 1939, it quickly replaced silk, cotton and rayon. Nylon is used alone or blended with spandex to create hosiery.

Opaque

Pantyhose made of yarn which produces a heavier appearance. Opaques are long-wearing and great in cold weather.

Pana-Fit

An exclusive design by Berkshire used in their Queen Size styles. Comprised of a fuller fit stretch panel panty for more freedom to bend and move. 2-way stretch cotton crotch, proportionate sizing from ankle to thigh for a proper fit in the leg, and flexible no-bind waistband.

Reinforced Toe

Small reinforced section of the toe for added durability.

Shaper top

Hosiery providing more control in the panty and thigh portion than control tops.

Sandalfoot

Hosiery that is as sheer in the toes as in the leg

This article is about Lingerie and undergarments Main article and index is at Lingerie

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