Monthly Archives: July 2011

Hosiery Authority, Hosiery Glossary

HISTORY of HOSIERY


The history of hosiery dates back as early as 280 AD when people first learned to knit.
They started knitting stockings to keep their legs warm, but these hose were a far cry from the
versions we wear today. Hose started to take the shape we know and love today in medieval times,
which is also when they took the name hose.
In Medieval Europe any material that could be woven was used to create hose.
These hose resembled socks much more than they resembled modern hosiery.
They did not have a panty, either, and were held up by garters, strings, or ties at the belt.
n the 1580s a reverend by the name William Lee invented a knitting machine.
Now hose could be made quickly and efficiently, and
silk stockings began to
take precedent over the itchy, woolen variety of the past. Queen Elizabeth was the first
monarch to wear silk stockings, and she loved them so much that she ruled that anyone who took the
plans for Lee’s invention out of the country would be executed.
Silk stockings were worn by both men
and women, and they were sewn in a wide range of sizes. This is because they did not stretch,
so in order to avoid sagging the hose had to be as form fitting as possible for each individual’s particular size.
Hose also came in a wide range of colors, and women were never seen without their legs covered by hose.

As history continued, hose were made from any woven fabric, including cotton, silk, and wool.
The hose were cut from a pattern and then sewn. Eventually someone invented a machine that could knit in a circle.
This machine created a long tube of fabric, but without something in the fabric to allow it to stretch,
hose sagged on just about every wearer.
The world of hose continued in this fashion, with silk hose held up by
garters as the most popular design worn by women,
until the early 1900s when nylon was discovered. In 1937, a researcher
for the DuPont Company found that heating
a mixture of coal, air, tar, and water created a fiber that was strong
and flexible, but also felt silky.
These polymer fibers were exceptionally thin and could stretch. This
material was called nylon, and immediately put to use to make hose.
The nylon hose, or nylons as we call them today, hit the world scene at the 1939 World’s Fair. The next year they
started selling the new hose in New York, and 72,000 pairs were purchased on the very first day they were on
the market. After four days, four million pairs of nylons had been purchased. The new material was a hit
because it stretched and conformed to the woman’s leg, rather than gathering and bunching like silk and cotton hose did.


The introduction of the panty to the world of hosiery came in the 1950s. Introducing a built-in panty to a pair of
nylons eliminated the need for certain undergarments. The late fifties and early sixties were when Spandex was
discovered and added to hose. Yarn manufacturers realized that they could crimp heated yarn. This created a yarn
that could stretch and then return to its normal shape, making it perfect to incorporate into nylons. DuPont created
a Spandex that they called Lycra, which is still found in today’s nylons.
Nylons of this era still had a seam up the back of the leg and the high
Cuban heel, which protected the nylons
from runs. When World War II hit, nylon was taken off the clothing
market and was used only in production of war materials.
Women missed the fashion statement their nylons made so much that they
drew seams on the back of their legs with makeup pencils.
However, in 1965 nylons dropped their seams when Glen Raven Mills
introduced a pair that had no seam. As fashion became
bigger and brighter in the sixties, so did hose. Women could buy hose
with textures, patterns, and bright colors.
Stripes and patterns with psychedelic colors were not uncommon. The legs
and the hose they wore were the focus of the
fashion world.

Today, nylons are worn mainly by women. Much more professional and empowering than socks, hosiery is considered the main
garment for women’s legs today. Stockings come in every shade, texture, and size imaginable. You can buy fishnet pairs for
those moments that you feel sensual, sparkling pairs for times that call for fun, and even control top hose for times you need
a little help controlling the bulge. Retro nylons with the
high Cuban heel and the back seam are back, and considered quite
fashionable and sexy. You can even buy woolen and silk stockings to give you a taste of the days when nylons didn’t stretch,
but rather bulged and sagged. Whatever your tastes are, there is a pair of nylons to match!

Fashion Trend, Hosiery Authority

Stylish Ways to Wear Pantyhose and Tights


Pantyhose and tights have been a staple in any female wardrobe for a long time, from the time when warmth was necessary to nowadays when they can be worn for all kinds of reasons with all kinds of looks.
Tights with short skirts or long skirts are warm and attractive, drawing the eyes to the style and texture.
Pantyhose can be used to add color and texture as well as to camouflage flaws and add a slimming factor to the legs and thighs. There are endless ways that pantyhose and tights can be worn in stylish fashions.

One popular pantyhose style these days is the
gothic look. These are black with tatters all up and down the legs, adding a dangerous and edgy vibe to your chosen wardrobe. The gothic look pantyhose or
leggings can be worn with many types of shoes and outfits. A popular and attractive way to showcase your legs in gothic pantyhose is to pair them with a bikini top and high heeled shoes with open toes. This is especially alluring for a private date or supper with your man who has an affinity for a tough biker chick look.

If it is a slimming factor and nothing else you desire, then
sheer pantyhose are at your service. These
pantyhose and thigh highs are nearly invisible, skimming close against your skin and adding a slimming factor to your legs and thighs. With a barely there look, these are sexy and classic, allowing you to wear any summery frock or short skirt you would like while still benefiting from the slimming help. Sheer pantyhose are smooth and satiny to the touch as well, providing an element of sexiness and intimacy when worn while with your significant other.

Thigh highs have long been a part of sexy attire, from under wedding dresses to paired with miniskirts and short shorts.
Lacy and netted thigh high hosiery is attractive and beautiful, drawing attention to your legs and feet. Thigh highs are wonderful as intimate attire, for many men are majorly attracted to such accents. In addition to
thigh highs, there are sassy socks that can be sexy as well. Worn with open toed high heels and short skirts, lacy short socks are simultaneously sweet and sexy. Hosiery of all kinds are meant to showcase your legs, whether with a texture or with smoothness. From pantyhose to tights and socks, leg and footwear can be as alluring as you want it to be.

Hosiery Authority

Stockings: Not Just For the Bedroom

FioreAzaliaWhen you think of thigh high stockings, you often think of bedroom scenes with sexy lingerie involved while
pantyhose in general is more of what you think of for wearing out and about. Things have changed and evolved in recent years and many styles of stockings are worn out and about, especially at dress up and formal events such as weddings, galas and parties.
Stockings have become a major fashion accessory that can be worn with just about any outfit and shoes. Some pantyhose or thigh highs are smooth and sleek while others are textured and alluring.

Stockings come in many different textures and styles, something for everyone. If it is eye catching and alluring you are after, try thigh high hosiery that has bold vertical stripes that draw the eye up and down your leg. These are appealing to many people, taking basic
pantyhose a step further with texture and boldness. There are always the sheer, versatile
pantyhose styles that cling closely to your skin and provide a slimming factor. All of these styles come in a variety of shades, from black to beige and nude in color. Nude for invisible, black for eye catching texture are often good choices.

FioreFinessInside the bedroom, ooh lala! Stockings, especially thigh highs, can be a wonderfully sexy addition to beautiful intimate wear that is designed to captivate and enthrall. Lacy thigh highs with a floral band of roses are romantically sexy when paired with a lacy teddy and high heels, or merely worn alone. Outside the bedroom, ramp up a sexy outfit with tulle thigh highs accented with back seam and lace for wedding day pizzazz or try gothic tatters for an edgy biker chic look for a night on the town.

Stockings can accent just about any outfit you want to wear, from soft and sexy looks to edgy and tough looks. From short n sassy skirts to long and sexy skirts, the right hosiery can make all the difference in appearance and allure. A versatile and pleasing accessory,
stockings are stylish and trendy as well as attractive and fun. Choose something that suits the evening’s persona, whether sweet and sexy or sassy and bold. If the bare leg look is what’s on tap, try a sheer stocking chosen in a skin tone that will caress your legs, provide a slimming factor and be wonderfully silky and sexy. Stockings are all about accessorizing your look.

Fashion Trend, Hosiery Authority

What to Wear With Leggings


Leggings are essentially tights without feet. Some leggings fall just below the knee, like Capri pants, while other can go all the way down your leg to the ankle like Frou Frou Fasion Cotton Leggings. Leggings come in a wide variety of colors, textures and fabrics ( Ruth, Eddy ). As they are form fitting with no room for hardly a wrinkle, it takes some consideration to determine what clothing should be paired with leggings.
Leggings done right can be part of a fun and flirty outfit that is attractive and flattering. It is important to consider shoes when putting together an outfit with leggings.

Tunics are one of the most popular tops to pair with leggings
(Eco-Friendly). Tunics are tops that come down past your hips and bottom. Many times people will wear a belt with a tunic and leggings in order to shape the outfit somewhat. The important thing is to create a balanced look, snug fitting leggings with a looser yet not too blousy tunic. One of the most classic legging like Ave70 outfits is a solid black ensemble, black tunic, leggings and high heeled boots. This creates a streamlined, attractive and classic outfit.
Leggings are timeless if done correctly.

Leggings are attractive when paired with a short flirty skirt or dress that falls above the knees, thus showcasing your legs. This allows a short skirt or dress to be worn when temperatures might be too cool for naked legs.  A snug fitting pair of leggings with a flowing short skirt is an outfit that is sweet and cute yet sexy at the same time. Colors chosen in the leggings can be a solid color that complements the colors already in the rest of your outfit or you can go for a monochromatic look. The one color look is an elongating look that makes most people look slimmer and taller.

Shoes to wear with leggings can vary from boots to pumps to flats. Ballerina flats are particularly attractive paired with knee length leggings when the desired look is a sweet one ( Shock Leggings ). An edgier look can be achieved by adding ankle high boots with full length leggings. The choice of shoes is an important one, for shoes that are too clunky or heavy will make the entire outfit look clunky instead of streamlined and pretty. By choosing the right clothing, shoes and accessories to pair with leggings, they can be a fun and attractive part of your wardrobe.

Hosiery Authority

How to Choose the Right Pantyhose for Your Cocktail Dress


Choosing the right pantyhose for your cocktail dress first depends upon the look you want, if you are after simply smooth and sexy legs or if you want attention getting hosiery. Many times a slim fitting, short cocktail dress is most attractive and sexy when paired with invisible and
seamless pantyhose. Under close fitting clothing such as the cocktail dress, a seamless nude look pantyhose is perfect in that it leaves the eye catching job to the dress and your overall beauty.

    A summertime cocktail dress is often light and
    airy and barely there. Pantyhose that works with
    that should be light and airy and barely there as
    well. With an invisible toe and a seamless stretch
    of lightweight fabric, hosiery simply adds an allure
    of sexiness while keeping you cool and fresh.
    The illusion of freshness in summertime is a perfect
    one. Seamless pantyhose are designed to be
    worn against the skin under close fitting clothing,
    giving the illusion of nudity. This is sexy and
    appealing to most men, likely the one you are with
    most of all. Sexiness is easily achieved with one
    of the many pantyhose options available in nude as
    well as several shades of color.

   
If it is pantyhose that has textures and colors that
    you are after to wear with your cocktail dress,
    perhaps fishnet stockings in a shade that
    complements your outfit and shoes is the choice
    to go with. With a lacy band at the top of the thigh,
    fishnet stockings are alluring and sexy when worn
    with a flowy summertime frock. The peek-a-boo
    effect is a powerfully sexy one whether you are alone
    with your significant other or out and about with
    him. Allure and attraction is easy with one of the
    many stylish hosiery options.

Pantyhose styles and textures have come a long way since the days of the ‘eggs’ in shades of nude, beige and black only that we all likely remember. From bridal thigh highs with sexy bands of flowers and lace to black leggings that are tattered and tough, hosiery choices and styles have evolved right along with fashion and clothing everywhere. From sexy to tough and everywhere in between, there are sure to be several hosiery styles that suit your needs. Evening wear that is glittery and sparkly or Capri pants with tears and holes, you name it and it is likely out there.