Pantyhose (known as Tights in the UK) are tight fitting coverings of the body from the waist to the feet, normally worn by women. Like stockings they are usually made of nylon.
The term 'pantyhose' is exclusively American, referring to the combination of 'panties' (an American term for women's undergarment) with hosiery. The one-piece pantyhose was a substantial improvement that appeared in the 1960's because it provided a convenient alternative to separate underwear and hosiery.
In North America, the term tights is used to describe a garment similar to pantyhose, but which is thicker and more commonly worn by girls, dancers, and athletes.
Pantyhose are worn for a number of reasons. Sheer pantyhose that match the skin color of the legs can enhance the appearance of legs, making them look smoother. Darker pantyhose can enhance the legs by outlining the shape. Pantyhose also has practical use, as it can provide warmth in colder weather and let women go "bare-legged" even in the winter. Pantyhose can even enhance blood circulation by applying even pressure on the legs throughout the day.
Pantyhose are available in a wide range of styles. The sheerness of the garment, expressed as a numerical 'denier'/'dtex', ranges from 3 (extremely rare, very thin, barely visible) to 20 (standard sheer) up to 30 (semi opaque). The terms denier and dtex refer to the weight of the yarn in grammes at a standard length: for denier, it is 9,000, for dtex, 10,000 metres. Thus, 1 Denier = 1g of yarn when 9,000 metres long.
Pantyhose also come in a variety of colors, from gray/black or skin tone common in business wear to brightly colored styles fashionable among young women.
Most pantyhose are composed of nylon and spandex, which provides the elasticity and form fitting that this characteristic of modern pantyhose. Unfortunately, the nylon fabric is somewhat prone to tearing and it is common for very sheer hose to 'run' soon after snagging on something sharp.
Pantyhose worn for fashion have a standard construction. The top of the waist is a strong elastic. The part covering the hips (boxer/brief area) is composed of a thicker material than the legs. The gusset or crotch is also a stronger material, sometimes made of cotton. The legs of the pantyhose are made of the thinnest material which has a consistent construction down to the toes, which may be reinforced to guard against wear.
Interestingly, hose for the legs were a male fashion (for example among European and American aristocrats during the 16th Century), while women hid their legs from public view. This trend reversed, however, with men wearing pants and women exposing their legs. In the 20th Century, pantyhose have been marketed to women exclusively. However, in recent years some versions for men have appeared in the marketplace, touted for warmth as well as for appearance, improved blood circulation, and comfort.
See Also
Construction, Denier and Care
A pair of pantyhose is knitted as zones of different weights in one garment. At the top, a strong elastic waistband holds the garment up. The brief or boxer section covering the hips is knitted thicker than the legs for strength and coverage, and the gusset at the crotch is stronger still, sometimes in cotton for comfort. The legs are the thinnest part, knitted at a consistent weight down to the toes, which may be reinforced against wear from shoes and nails, or left sheer in sandal-toe styles. Nylon gives the garment its sheerness and smooth surface, and spandex in the blend provides the elasticity and close fit that define modern pantyhose, letting one size stretch across a range of heights and weights, which is why pantyhose are sold by height-and-weight charts rather than by waist measure.
Denier is the buyer's main guide. Sheer styles at 3 to 20 denier even out the appearance of the leg and are the standard business and dress choice, in skin tones or in black and grey; semi-opaque styles around 30 denier give stronger colour and a little more warmth and durability; and opaque tights weights above that trade sheerness for coverage. The trade-off is fragility: the nylon yarn is prone to tearing, and very sheer hose commonly run soon after snagging on anything sharp, a ladder running up the leg from the snag point. Care slows that down: wash by hand or in a mesh bag on a gentle cycle, keep nails and rough jewellery away when putting the garment on, roll it up the leg rather than pulling, and store it away from hooks and zips. Support styles add graduated pressure, firmest at the ankle, sold for wearers who stand all day, applying the even pressure noted for circulation, while ordinary fashion pantyhose apply no meaningful compression and should not be confused with medical hosiery, which is sized and prescribed differently.
Common Questions
What are pantyhose?
Pantyhose are tight-fitting one-piece coverings from the waist to the feet, usually made of nylon with spandex for elasticity. The American name combines panties with hosiery, because the single garment replaced separate underwear and stockings when it appeared in the 1960s.
What does denier mean in pantyhose?
Denier, and the related dtex, express the weight of the yarn at a standard length: for denier, the weight in grams of 9,000 metres of yarn. Pantyhose sheerness ranges from 3 denier, extremely thin and barely visible, through 20, standard sheer, to 30, semi-opaque.
What is the difference between pantyhose and tights?
In the UK, tights is the everyday name for the same waist-to-feet garment Americans call pantyhose. In North America, tights names a thicker, more opaque version of the garment, worn commonly by girls, dancers and athletes, while pantyhose names the sheer garment.