Quick Guide to Stockings

If you are new to buying stockings it can be so easy just to plump for the cheapest pair of nude or black lace tops you find in your department store. And that’s great to get you started but by trying on different brands, deniers and fabrics you soon find out that you really do get what you pay for.

Denier – This is the measurement of how thick the weave of your stockings is. A strand of silk is 1 denier. The higher the denier the more opaque the stockings will be. 10 and 15 denier are the most popular.

Seamed - there are 2 types of seamed stockings. The less expensive variety are stockings the have a seam sew on after they have been made. The more expensive ones are know as fully fashioned are woven flat on a traditional loom and the seam is used to sew the stocking together.

Fully Fashioned – Fully fashioned stockings are woven flat on a loom and the two sides are sewn together. As well as the seam there are several different designs of heel.
Pyramid Heel – the original style that tapers into a point
Cuban and Havana Heel – the reinforced heel has a square top and the Cuban is thinner and higher than the Havana
Manhattan Heel – this is a cross between the Pyramid and the Cuban heels

RHT – Most people who wear hosiery are familiar with the reinforced toe. RHT refers to both the heel and toe being reinforced to add durability they may or may not come with a seam.

Welt – this is the top of the stockings where you attach your suspender belt. It’s doubled over and uses heavier gauge of nylon.

Silk stockings – These are made of 100% silk and feel amazing, just remember when you are buying they don’t have any lycra so aren’t stretchy.

Nylon stockings - These do not have a lot of stretch so be careful with sizing.

Suspender belts or garter belts – The quality of suspender belts is important to the level of comfort you get. The more straps the more secure your stockings will feel. The most common are the 4 straps which are usual produced as part of a set. For durability always look for suspender belts that have metal clasps. Plastic clasps can break easily and you don’t want that to happen if you sit down too quickly in the office!

Also you wear your knickers over the top of your suspender belt otherwise you will get yourself in a bit of a tangle when you need to go to the powder room!