Wow! It seems that after the last post on Pantyhose, I’ve discovered that I am not a freak after all… the rest of you have just been hiding from the fashion press. Either that or these ‘researchers’ have never asked around outside of their local milkbar. After the overwhelming response from you all, and I must say a big THANK YOU for all your input, I’ve learnt so much more about the wearing of hoisiery around the world. I can say it is clear that the trend for gossamer leg wear is certainly dependant on your city of origin and your penchant for vintage. But it also became obvious that there is a serious lack of education and information out there about those funny things we put on our legs. So here it is -
Candice DeVille’s Guide to Hosiery.
The what’s what and how to find the right ones for you.
With all the different names out there for thing you put on your legs, it’s a common mistake to think that all these terms are interchangeable. In fact, they all represent something different. The only all encompassing term is ‘Hosiery’; which includes stockings, pantyhose, tights and yes, even socks. So let’s take a look at what’s what in a nutshell then we can get down to the nitty gritty of each style.
Pantyhose –
Pantyhose did not exist before 1959, when they were invented by Glen Mills. They were designed to combined both ‘panties’ (underpants) and ‘stockings’. But just because they were invented, didn’t mean everyone was quick on the uptake. It wasn’t until the mid 1960′s that seamless pantyhose came around. Complete with ‘control tops’ or the heavier, stretch panty section, that they eliminated the need for girdles making them very popular with the younger market. Coinciding with the rise in popularity of the mini-skirt, Pantyhose took over as the hosiery of choice for most women until this day.
Made of a combination of nylon and spandex; referring to Pantyhose as “nylons” is a misnomer, the term being reserved for stockings that are made only of woven nylon. The spandex in Pantyhose is what gives them their incredible stretch, allowing them to form fit to the leg and stop the bagging that so often occurs with fully fashioned nylons.
To give you a simple and clear definition of the difference between pantyhose and tights; pantyhose mostly have a denier up to 15, whilst tights have a higher denier. To discover the technicalities of what “Denier” is, have a look at this definition. ( You may not care, in which case just read the number on the pack) But basically, it is the thickness of each thread used. And just as a matter of interest, the average human hair is 50 denier weight!
But you’ve asked, “why do my pantyhose fall down or sag at my ankles?”, “Why do they cut in at the waist?” And the answer to this is all in the sizing. After reading so many of the responses to my investigation, I’ve discovered that available qualities and sizes of pantyhose differ between countries. Some of you even told me that until recently in the UK, Pantyhose only came in a One Size Fits All! So fret no more, here is how you get the right fit for your pantyhose.
Every pack of pantyhose should have a size guide on the reverse. They look something like this.
Depending on the brand and the country of origin, sizing could be letters, numbers or even names. Just like fashion labels, sizing has no real consistency, so you should ALWAYS check yourself against the information provided.
Basically, sizing goes by weight and height. You need to read the charts the same way you do with map references. Finding your correct weight and height, then finding the point where those rows intersect and what size that indicates. Being a ‘tall’ in one brand, doesn’t necessarily mean you are considered a tall person. For me, I wear ‘talls’ in most brands, but I am only 5 foot 4 inches in height. So don’t guess – measure.
Keep in mind that the sizing in pantyhose hasn’t really kept up with fashion, so someone who may be a tall or x-tall could still easily be an Australian sized 8-10. (Us 4-6) Confused yet? What this means is that there is a whole new market for ‘plus-sized’ pantyhose, which most of the well known brands are now catering for.
In Australia, brands that carry plus sized and maternity pantyhose include Ambra, Kolotex and Platinum amongst others. In fact, the big department stores now have entire sections devoted to plus sized pantyhose. If you’re searching online though, the trick is all about having the right keywords in your searches. Depending on your size there are three main terms used; Plus Sized, Queen Sized and Oversized.
It is clear to me by the sheer volume and range of pantyhose available on Australia shelves, that they certainly haven’t gone out of style here. In fact, the rise of stockings on our shelves tends to indicate that our interest is both growing and divergent.
History lessons aside, Pantyhose have never had the glamour or the sex appeal of a simple pair of stockings, so stay tuned next week for Part Two of this educational exploration, when we tackle ‘Stockings’.
