Glossary
Ankle Highs
Ankle highs are short, sheer or opaque, hosiery designed to end at the ankle, ideal for wearing with trousers.
Back Panel
Panel of fabric sewn into the back of the brief area. This structural feature provides a roomier, more flexible fit for curvy or plus-size body types, preventing the hosiery from pulling down, rolling, or tearing at the gusset.
Boarding
An essential finishing stage in the manufacturing process where tights or stockings are pulled over leg-shaped moulds and treated with intense heat and steam.
Bridal
Bridal hosiery adds the perfect finishing touch of elegance, comfort, and tradition beneath a wedding gown.
Hold-ups are highly favoured by modern brides for their convenience.For the traditionalist, classic stockings sit beautifully against the leg. If you prefer the seamless silhouette, bridal tights combine a smooth waistband with beautiful lace accents.
Most options feature romantic details like intricate lace bands and are designed in classic shades of soft ivory, crisp white, or delicate champagne to seamlessly complement your dress.
Briefs
Refers to the built-in panty portion at the top of a pair of tights. Choosing the right brief construction is essential for both your comfort and how the tights look under different hemlines or tight clothing.
Circular Knit
Stockings and tights manufactured using a specialized, continuous seamless knitting process. Unlike flat-knit garments, which are produced as a flat sheet of fabric and then stitched together up the back, circular knit hosiery is created as a flawless, tubular sleeve on a rotating cylindrical machine.
This method represents the gold standard for modern, everyday legwear because it eliminates vertical seams, providing a smooth, second-skin fit that is entirely invisible under tight clothing.
Crotchless tights
Crotchless tights (frequently referred to as open-crotch hosiery) are made with an intentional open panel or slit in the gusset area while keeping the waist, legs, and feet fully intact.
Cuban Heel Stockings
Cuban heel stockings feature a distinctive, squared-off or rectangular reinforced heel detail at the ankle rather than a pointed French heel.
Describes the opacity of the hosiery. The lower the denier number, the thinner and sheerer the hosiery; the higher the number, the thicker and more opaque they become.
5 - 15 Denier. Ultra Sheer, practically invisible; creates a flawless, airbrushed,bare-legillusion. Best for formal evening wear, weddings,bridaltrousseaus,and hot summer styling.
20-30 Denier. Semi-Sheer, delicate transparency that shows a clear hint of skin while offering slightly better durability. best for professional office wear, daily business attire, and transitional spring/autumn weather.
40-50 Denier. Semi-Opaque, diffused transparency where shadows of skin are only visible at dynamic stretch points (knees/calves). Best for Layering under fine autumn dresses or creating a sleek, muted look.
60-100+ Denier. Fully Opaque. deep, solid colour block coverage that completely obscures the skin underneath. Best for Winter ensembles, cold weather protection, heavy wool skirts, and high durability.
Elastane
Frequently sold under the brand name Lycra or Spandex. Hosiery with elastane fibres gains exceptional stretch, shape retention, and contouring.
Fence net
Often called industrial net or whale net is a bold variety of fishnets defined by its exceedingly large, wide, and thick geometric openings. The name comes from its resemblance to chain-link fencing, featuring heavy-gauge woven lines that create dramatic negative space against the skin.
Finish
Refers to the visual texture, reflectivity, and optical appearance of the stockings or tights once they are stretched over your legs.
Matte 0% light reflectivity (Absorbs light). Understated, natural, slimming. Best choice for professional offices, daytime wear, heavy winter outfits.
Satin 20% – 40% light reflectivity (Soft glow). Radiant, smooth, healthy skin. Best choice for weddings, smart-casual dinners, cocktail dresses.
Gloss 70%+ light reflectivity (High reflection). Dramatic, eye-catching, structured. Best choice for Nightclubs, evening wear, stage, and photography.
Finishing Hole
Can also be called a finishing loop, is a small intentional hole found at the very top of the rear seam on Fully Fashioned Stockings.
A classic type of legwear distinguished by its open, diamond-shaped, or geometric mesh knit. Unlike traditional woven hosiery, fishnets offer high structural ventilation and texture, making it a perfect accessory for adding dimension, edge, or vintage elegance to an outfit.
Flashes
In lingerie design, ribbon flashes (often simply called "flashes") refer to the short, decorative loops or strips of satin ribbon sewn onto a suspender belt right where the long elastic straps meet the stocking clips. They serve a decorative and aesthetic purpose rather than a structural one, acting as a visual anchor to soften the appearance of the functional clips and sliders.
Flat Knit
100% Nylon or Silk knitted as a flat sheet and then formed into a stocking with a stitched back seam, double top welt and finishing hole.
Footless
Tights that finish at the ankle, leaving your feet free.
French Heel
A French heel, commonly called a Point heel, is a classic design element found on vintage and heritage hosiery, where the dark, reinforced fabric at the bottom of the foot narrows into a sharp, elegant point.This taper blends into the back seam, creating an optical illusion that visually elongates and slims the legs.
Fully Fashioned Stockings
Fully fashioned stockings (FFS) represent the gold standard of true luxury vintage hosiery. Fully fashioned stockings are knitted as a completely flat sheet of 100% non-stretch nylon. They are meticulously shaped by old-school machinery to mirror the exact contours of a human leg (narrowing at the ankle and widening at the calf). The edges are then stitched together by hand to create the iconic, authentic back seam.
Gussets
A small, diamond, oval, or triangular piece of fabric sewn directly into the crotch area of tights. Increases comfort, hygiene and overall durability usually made from cotton.
Hold-ups (also called stay-ups or thigh-high stockings) are self-supporting hosiery garments that grip the upper leg using internal silicone or rubberised bands rather than requiring a suspender belt or garter
Hosiery Gloves
Protective gloves designed to protect delicate hosiery from being damaged during putting them on. Made of soft cotton, silk, or textured non-slip rubber, they prevent fingernails, rough skin, or rings from causing snags, runs, or laddering.
Knee highs
Hosiery that cover the feet and extend up the leg, finishing just below the knee. Often referred to historically as "pop socks".
Longer Leg
Hosiery for those typically above 5'11" (180cm)
Microfibre
Microfibre hosiery is woven from incredibly fine synthetic threads—finer than a single strand of silk. This results in an exceptionally soft texture, deep matte opacity, superior durability as well as an exceptional warmness. Excellent for winter wear.
Pantyhose
Alternative term for tights used outside the UK.
Pointed Heel
A pointed heel (traditionally known as a French heel) is a classic design feature found on vintage, seamed hosiery where the dark, reinforced splicing at the base of the foot tapers up into a sharp, elegant triangular point at the back of the ankle.
Reinforced
Stockings and tights where high-friction zones—specifically the toes, heels, or soles—are knitted with a thicker, denser yarn count or double-layer construction to improve durability.
RHT Stockings
Reinforced Heel and Toe stockings, are a classic style of hosiery featuring visibly darker, denser shadow zones woven into the heel cup and toe box.
Seamless
Hosiery knitted as a continuous, smooth tube on advanced circular knitting machines. Seamless hosiery contains no structural back seam, making it virtually invisible under tight-fitting clothing and incredibly comfortable against the skin.
Sheer
Refers to lightweight, translucent stockings, hold-ups, or tights that allow your natural skin tone to show through. Typically classified as anything under 30 denier (DEN), sheer hosiery acts like "makeup for your legs"—evening out skin tone, masking minor blemishes, and adding a polished, elegant finish to any outfit.
Silicone
Hold-ups feature thin bands or beads of silicone coated on the inside of the top cuff. This specialized silicone lining clings gently to the skin, using friction to hold the hold-ups securely in place without the need for a traditional suspender belt.
Socks
Hosiery socks offer a practical and stylish alternative to full tights, providing sleek coverage under trousers or serving as a deliberate fashion statement. They range from completely invisible skin-tone pop socks to highly decorative lace and patterned anklets.
Spandex
Also widely known by its brand name Lycra or generic term elastane. The revolutionary synthetic fiber responsible for the stretch, memory, and fit of modern hosiery.
Strictly refers to traditional, thigh-high legwear designed to be worn with a suspender (garter) belt, though the term is often used broadly to encompass modern hold-ups and tights.
Suspenders
Lingerie suspender belts (also known as garter belts in the US) are functional yet elegant pieces designed to sit at your waist or hips and secure stockings. Beyond their classic retro appeal, a well-chosen suspender belt prevents hosiery from slipping down throughout the day.
Tights are a form-fitting, highly elastic garment that covers the lower body from the waist completely down to the tips of the toes Typically constructed from knitted nylon, spandex, or blended yarns, they are engineered to fit snugly like a second skin, providing coverage, warmth, or body smoothing underneath skirts, dresses, or tunics.
Toes
Reinforced Toe, A visible, darker patch of thicker, higher-denier fabric covering the toes. Best for closed-toe shoes, boots, and everyday wear where longevity is the main goal. This is the most durable construction option.
Sandal Toe (Sheer Toe), Completely seamless and uniform sheerness running from the leg all the way to the very tip of the toes. There is no visible reinforced border patch. Best for Peep-toe heels, strappy sandals, or any delicate footwear where you want an invisible look. It creates a beautiful, bare-leg finish across your feet.
Shadow Toe A middle-ground hybrid option. It features a very faint, finely knitted reinforcement that is far less visible than a classic reinforced toe but still offers extra strength.Best for everyday close-toed dress shoes or pointed flats where you want subtle reinforcement.
Open-Toe / Toeless Hosiery, The fabric finishes right at the base of your toes, leaving your actual toes completely bare. It is held securely in place by a soft loop that slots comfortably between your big toe and second toe. Best for open-toed summer sandals, flip-flops, or peep-toes.You get all the leg-smoothing benefits of sheer hosiery while retaining the freedom to show off a fresh pedicure completely naturally—with zero visible fabric lines at the tip of your foot.
Trousseau
The collection of personal items, clothing, linens, and lingerie that a bride gathers in preparation for her wedding and upcoming married life.
