Stocking Terminology In The Lingerie World

In the world of lingerie there is a totally different terminology with most items, such as stockings, than with other worlds of clothing. Stockings has its very own terminology as part of the lingerie world.

A stocking with a heel that is made with folded over then sewn together for reinforcement is known as a Cuban heel. A Cuban hell is often times found in darker colors and even bright colors such as red. A demi-toe is known as stockings that have a reinforced toe with half of the coverage being on top as on the bottom, which results in a reinforcement that covers only the tip of the toes as opposed to the whole toe. A demi-toe can come with a reinforced heel or without a reinforced heel. The lower the denier number the sheerer the garment. For instance, a fifteen denier is a finer garment that a thirty denier so that stockings that are knitted with a higher denier tend to be less sheer, but more durable. The term denier is used in many garments not just stockings.

Fishnet is a knitted stocking that has a very wide open knit that resembles a fish net, but the open knit can vary depending on the manufacturer. Fence net is similar to fishnet, but it has a much wider pattern and are sometimes worn over another pair of stockings or pantyhose, such as matte or opaque, with a contrasting color for layered look that pops the color of the underlying stocking. Full fashioned stockings are known for how they are knitted flat and the material is then cut and the two sides are then united by a seam up the back. Full-fashioned stockings were the most popular style until the 1960s and they were also popularly for being known as back seam stockings that has seen a resurgence in popularity.

Hold-ups or stay-ups are stockings that are held up by sewn-in elastic bands, which is quite oftena wide lace top band. Hold ups is a term used in the United Kingdom, while stay-ups are more commonly used in the United States. The elastic band or bands are often silicone and cling to the thighs. These are used in lieu of stockings that require garter belts and garter straps to hold them up, while stay-ups do not fit every women's legs depending on how thick their thighs are in circumference. Matte are stockings that have a dull or non-luster finish.

A mock seam is a false seam sewn into the back of a seamless stocking. Stockings without reinforcement in the heel area are known as a nude heel. Opaque stockings are made of yarn, which give them a heavier appearance and are often used by dancers as well as women worn under short skirts providing modesty. The abbreviation of reinforced heel and toe is known as RHT. Open-toed stockings stop at the base of the toe with a piece that goes between the first and second toes to hold them down and can be worn with some open-toed shoes, especially to show off pedicured toes.

Sandal Foot stockings with a nude toe, meaning no heavier yarn in the toe than is in the leg. Seamed stockings are manufactured in the old full-fashioned or back seam manner with a seam running up the back of the leg. In the past they were manufactured by cutting the fabric and then sewing it together, but today stockings are generally fully knitted and a fake or mock seam is added up the back for a particular fashion look. Seamless stockings or pantyhose knit in one operation on circular machines so that no seaming is required up the back.

Stockings that are generally of a fifteen to twenty denier are known as sheers. Knee-high stockings come up just barely below the knee. Thigh-highs stockings terminate somewhere in the mid-thigh to upper-thigh. Ultra sheer is a finer denier fiber which gives the ultimate in sheerness. A welt is a fabric knitted separately and machine-sewn to the top of a stocking.