Not too long ago, a woman's outfit was considered incomplete without stockings, pantyhose, or some other kind of hosiery. While the rules around fashion and hosiery have relaxed in recent years, tights and stockings remain a popular choice for people of all ages. But finding good-quality hosiery that fits and understanding which type to wear can be tricky. That's why we've put together this guide with everything you need to know about choosing between pantyhose, stockings, and tights.
What Is Hosiery?
Hosiery is clothing made from elasticised fibres such as wool, cotton, or nylon. The fibres are typically woven to create a smooth fabric for making stockings, tights, and pantyhose. Hosiery can also include knee highs, anklets, and footlet socks. Put simply: they're an item of clothing that can add the finishing touch to an outfit, provide warmth and comfort, or make wearing shoes more pleasant.
Pantyhose vs Stockings vs Tights: What's the Difference?
The main difference between pantyhose, stockings, and tights comes down to thickness (measured in denier), transparency, construction, and support level.
Pantyhose are sheer, close-fitting legwear covering from waist to toes in one piece. With a denier of 8-30, they're the thinnest type of hosiery. They're typically worn under dresses and skirts to provide smooth coverage without visible panty lines. Pantyhose come in nude, beige, black, or sheer colours and are perfect for professional settings and formal occasions.
Stockings are individual leg coverings made from thin, transparent fabric with a denier between 30-40. Unlike pantyhose, stockings are separate pieces traditionally held up by suspender belts (garter belts) or have silicone bands at the top (hold-ups/stay-ups). They double as both everyday hosiery and classically feminine lingerie pieces.
Tights have a denier of 30-60+ and are much thicker and more opaque. Great for wearing under dresses and skirts in cooler weather, tights come in many colours and designs from printed patterns to solid colours. Like pantyhose, they're one piece with an elastic waist.
Knee Highs are a shorter alternative to full pantyhose and tights, covering from the toes to just below the knee with an elastic band at the top. Available in similar denier ranges (15-60+), they're perfect for wearing with pants, trousers, or longer skirts where full-length hosiery isn't necessary. Knee highs are incredibly practical - they're comfortable in warm weather, easy to put on, more affordable than full pantyhose, and ideal for everyday wear when you just need a barrier between your feet and shoes or want to prevent leg chafing without the commitment of full coverage.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Pantyhose | Stockings | Tights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denier | 8-30 | 15-40 | 30-60+ |
| Opacity | Sheer | Sheer to semi-opaque | Semi-opaque to opaque |
| Construction | One piece (waist to toes) | Two separate pieces | One piece (waist to toes) |
| Support | Elastic waist | Garter belt or silicone band | Elastic waist |
| Warmth | Light coverage | Minimal | Provides warmth |
| Best for | Professional/formal wear | Special occasions/lingerie | Casual wear/cold weather |
What Does Denier Mean?
Denier indicates the thickness and opacity of hosiery. The lower the denier number, the sheerer and more delicate the fabric:
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8-15 denier: Ultra-sheer, very delicate
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15-30 denier: Sheer (most pantyhose)
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30-40 denier: Semi-opaque
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40-60 denier: Opaque (tights)
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60+ denier: Very opaque, thick tights for warmth
What Is the Purpose of Pantyhose? Why Wear Them?
Despite declining popularity in recent decades, pantyhose offer several genuine benefits:
Professional and Formal Appearance
Many workplaces and formal events still consider pantyhose appropriate attire. They create a polished, professional look for corporate offices, job interviews, weddings, and formal events.
Aesthetic Benefits
Pantyhose even out skin tone, hide blemishes and scars, conceal spider veins, create a smooth flawless appearance, and make legs appear more toned and polished.
Practical Comfort
Beyond looks, pantyhose eliminate visible panty lines, prevent thigh chafing, reduce friction between skin and clothing, provide light UV protection, and create a barrier between feet and shoes to reduce blisters.
Medical Benefits
Compression pantyhose can improve circulation, reduce leg swelling for people who stand or sit for long periods, and provide support for varicose veins. However, it's important to note that regular fashion pantyhose provide minimal compression. Medical-grade compression stockings (measured in mmHg) should be recommended by a healthcare provider.
When Should You Wear Pantyhose?
The rules have relaxed significantly, making pantyhose optional in most situations. However, they're still commonly worn or recommended for:
Definitely Consider:
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Job interviews (especially in conservative industries)
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Formal weddings and events
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Professional corporate settings
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Religious ceremonies
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When meeting important clients
Optional/Personal Preference:
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Casual office environments
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Date nights
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Cocktail parties
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Cooler weather for added warmth
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When you want to hide leg imperfections
Generally Not Necessary:
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Casual social events
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Very hot weather
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Casual Fridays
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When wearing pants or trousers
How to Choose the Right Hosiery: 3 Simple Steps
Step 1: Choose Your Level of Support
Consider why you're wearing hosiery. Professional appearance? Go for sheer pantyhose in nude or neutral tones. Need warmth? Choose opaque tights (40+ denier). Want to hide imperfections? Try opaque tights or reinforced pantyhose.
If you only wear hosiery for special occasions, invest in a quality pair with higher denier, fishnets or a pattern. For everyday wear, something less expensive but still good quality works fine.
Step 2: Select the Right Colour
Nude/Neutral: Choose a shade matching your natural skin tone. For professional looks, go one shade lighter than your skin. Test in natural daylight before purchasing.
Black: Classic and versatile with a slimming effect. Perfect for evening wear and pairs beautifully with dark-coloured skirts and dresses.
Coloured Tights: Navy, burgundy, or forest green for sophisticated looks. Consider matching or complementing your outfit.
If you're pairing hosiery with a dark-coloured outfit, sheer black stockings make it pop. With a patterned dress, light brown or nude opaque tights create a classy look.
Step 3: Consider Texture and Warmth
Weather impacts your choice. In warm climates or summer, choose sheer pantyhose (8-20 denier) for breathable, lightweight coverage. In cold climates or winter, opt for opaque tights (40+ denier) or thermal options for warmth.
Common Types of Pantyhose and Tights
Sheer Pantyhose: Classic traditional pantyhose with minimal coverage, perfect for professional settings.
Control Top: Reinforced panty section for tummy control with sheer legs.
Opaque Tights: Solid, non-see-through coverage (40+ denier) for warmth and full coverage.
Support/Compression: Graduated compression for medical benefits. Available in various levels.
Patterned Tights: Designs, textures, or prints for fashion-forward looks.
Hold-Up Stockings: Stockings with silicone bands that grip the thigh without needing garters.
Quick Tips for Wearing Pantyhose
Putting Them On:
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Remove rings and jewelery that could snag
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Gather the pantyhose and insert toes gently
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Gradually pull up, alternating legs
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Smooth out wrinkles as you go
Making Them Last:
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Hand wash or use a lingerie bag
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Air dry rather than using a dryer
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Keep toenails trimmed and smooth
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Keep clear nail polish handy to stop runs
Getting the Right Fit: Most pantyhose use a height-weight chart. Measure accurately, consult the brand's size chart, and when between sizes, size up for comfort. The waistband should sit comfortably at your waist without rolling down, with no sagging in the crotch area.
Do Men Wear Pantyhose?
Yes! While predominantly marketed toward women, men wear hosiery for compression stockings for medical conditions, support during athletic activities (cycling, running), warmth, and professional reasons (performers, dancers, athletes). Men's hosiery (sometimes called "mantyhose") is becoming more widely available.
A Brief History: Why Pantyhose Became Popular
When DuPont chemist Wallace Carothers invented nylon in 1938, it revolutionised hosiery. Described as being as strong as steel and as sheer as a spider's web, nylon stockings were cheaper and more durable than silk. When released nationally on May 15, 1940, up to 4 million pairs were purchased in a single day.
The invention of pantyhose (combining panties and stockings) in the 1950s, followed by the miniskirt trend in the 1960s, made them a wardrobe staple. The miniskirt made pantyhose a necessity - showing garter belts with shorter hemlines was impractical. In 1970, U.S. sales of pantyhose exceeded stockings for the first time.
While pantyhose became essential throughout the 1970s and 1980s, from 1995 onward a steady decline began as bare legs became more fashionable and workplace dress codes relaxed. Today, pantyhose are experiencing a small resurgence thanks to vintage fashion trends and social media, but remain optional in most settings.
Shopping for Hosiery in Melbourne
If you're looking for hosiery in Melbourne that's the perfect blend of style and quality, shop our range of stockings, pantyhose, and tights at Illusions Lingerie with the expert assistance of our fitters.
We carry quality pantyhose in various deniers and colours, stockings and suspender sets, opaque and patterned tights, and sizes (including fuller figure pantyhose) with expert fitting advice.
Whether you need everyday sheers for the office, special occasion stockings for a wedding, or warm opaque tights for Melbourne's colder months, we have you covered. Shop online or visit us in-store today!
Final Thoughts
Hosiery isn't just a piece of clothing for the office. It's an essential wardrobe item that can help make outfits more stylish, provide practical benefits like chafing prevention and warmth, offer support for circulation issues, and boost confidence.
Understanding the differences between pantyhose, tights, and stockings - along with how to choose the right style, colour, and denier for your needs - empowers you to make informed decisions about your wardrobe. Whether you choose to wear hosiery daily, save it for special occasions, or skip it entirely, the choice is yours.
Sources
- Wikipedia. (2025). Pantyhose. Wikipedia
- Smithsonian Magazine. (2015). How Nylon Stockings Changed the World. Smithsonian
