Glossary

Glossary

Anklets

A sock that reaches just above the ankle.

Anti-Run

Hosiery manufactured with an interlocking stitch that inhibits running / laddering when tears or holes are formed by damage to the garment. The special manufacturing processes give the hosiery a long-lasting durable finish. (Also see RUNS)

Argyle

A diamond-shaped pattern of two or more colors.

Basics

Traditional or classic styles suited for everyday use.

Control Top

Control top pantyhose are designed to provide extra support to the buttocks and stomach area.

Cuffed

Socks folded over at the top, typically right above the ankle.

Denier

Denier is a unit of measurement that is used to determine the fiber thickness of individual threads or filaments used in the creation of textiles and fabrics. Fabrics with a high denier count tend to be thick, sturdy, and durable. Fabrics with a low denier count tend to be sheer, soft, and silky.

Elastic

Material able to resume its normal shape spontaneously after contraction, dilatation, or distortion.

Enhanced Toe

A gradual transition from the leg yarn to the end of the toe. Stronger than a sheer toe, but less noticeable than a reinforced toe. Often worn with open toe shoes.

Evening Sheers

Hosiery intended to be worn for special occasions. Generally made with 10 to 15 denier yarn. (See DENIER)

Fiber

A thread or filament from which a textile is formed.

Fishnet

Hosiery with a very wide diamond shape open knit resembling a fish net.

Footies

Short, below the anklebone hosiery. Also called slipper socks. Often used with athletic and casual footwear.

Glimmer

Hosiery with a high shine and created from fabrics which reflect light to create a glimmer effect.

Gusset

A gusset is an extra piece sewn in at the crotch of pantyhose. Gussets vary in shape from diamond shape to full back panel.

Imperfect

Hosiery that contains minor manufacturing imperfections in dimensions, size, color or knit. Imperfect hosiery has no runs or substantial damage to yarn or fabric.

Knee Highs

Hosiery that rises to just below the knee. Knee High’s have elastic tops to stay up without the usage of garters.

Lace

Hosiery with a knit pattern resembling lace. Found in both the full leg and/or with lace sewn to the top of the leg or waistband.

Lycra / Spandex

A premium fabric commonly used to manufacture hosiery and socks. Due to its stretch and recovery properties, exceptional fit, shape retention, comfort, and support.

Matte

Matte hosiery is designed to reflect less light, resulting in a more subtle appearance

Mesh

An open knit resembling hand-knit look.

Metallic Yarn

A manufactured yarn typically made of metallic-coated material.

Microfiber

A very fine synthetic yarn that has a very soft & silky texture.

Natural Fibers

Cotton, wool, or silk fibers used to manufacture hosiery.

Non-Stretch

Hosiery manufactured by using natural, ridged, or non-stretch fibers. Product has little or stretch ability or compression. Non stretch hosiery has a less adaptive fit making size selection extremely important. Comfort is often sacrificed when non stretch materials are used.

Nylon

A tough, lightweight, elastic synthetic polymer used to manufacture hosiery.

One Size

A sizing reference used by hosiery manufacturers that fit varied sizes from very small to medium.

Opacity

A reference to the amount of hosiery transparency or translucence; opaqueness.

Opaque

A reference to the lack of transparency or translucence; opaqueness. Hosiery made of yarn which gives a less transparent appearance, usually 40 denier or more. (Also See DENIER.)

Over the Calf

Hosiery product that extends above the widest part of the calf.

Pantyhose

Hosiery that combines a sewn in panty and stocking legs into a one piece garment.

Patterned

Hosiery having a design knitted into the garment or impressed in the fabric.

Plus Size

Garments designed to fit larger body types. (Also see QUEEN SIZE)

Polyester

Synthetic textile fibers used to manufacture hosiery.

Queen Size

Garments designed to fit larger body types. (Also see PLUS SIZE)

Reinforced Toe

Reinforcement added to the toe area for durability. The added reinforcement is typically darker than the rest of the garments leg creating a contrasted look. The reinforcement typically makes the hosiery last longer.

Ribbed

Vertical pattern of raised ridges in hosiery garments.

Runs

A tear in the fabric which travels vertically “runs” along the needle line (wale) in a vertical direction.

Sandalfoot / Sheer Toe / Invisible Toe

No added reinforcement to the toe area of garments. The same DENIER fabric is used in the toe and the leg.

Seamed

Hosiery manufactured to resemble traditional full-fashioned hosiery made by cutting fabric and sewing it together. Seamed garments have a seam running up the back of the leg. Modern seamed hosiery is often manufactured without cutting and sewing and then a seam is added to achieve a fully-fashioned look.

Seamless

Stockings knit in one continuous operation so that no seaming is required.

Shaper or Shaper Panty

CONTROL TOP panty built into the garment to provide additional compression and support. Typically extends from the upper thigh to the stomach area.

Sheer Support

Pantyhose that offer support but are more sheer in appearance than the traditional support garments.

Sheer To Waist

Pantyhose with no visible panty line or reinforcement in the panty portion. Garments from made with the same DENIER material from waist to toe.

Sheers

Hosiery manufactured with lighter 15 or 20 denier yarns. Intended to be worn for special occasions.

Silk

Natural fabric produced with filaments obtained from the cocoons of silkworms. Valued for its strength, smooth feel, and soft shine.

Spandex

Spandex, also called Lycra or elastane, is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity.

Stockings

A women's garment, typically made of translucent nylon or silk, that fits closely over the leg and is held up by garters.

Support

Hosiery with built in compression to improve blood circulation.

Thigh Highs / Stay Ups

Thigh length stockings held up by elasticized bands.

Ultra Sheer

Hosiery manufactured with lighter 5 to 20 denier yarns. Intended to be worn for special occasions. Fragile and run easily. The use of hosiery gloves is recommended when putting on ultra sheer hosiery.

Waistband

An elastic band sewn onto the top portion of the pantyhose used to hold the garment up.