What's the difference: tights, stockings, pantyhose?

Question

I read some questions from people who were obviously from the U.K. In the U.S., stockings go up to the thigh, pantyhose are usually sheer and have a "panty" portion and legs attached, and tights are not sheer but opaque.

What are the definitions of tights and such in the U.K.?

Answer 1

I don't know about in the UK or US... but the impression that I have always had... until a recent "clothing" chat with a friend... was that stockings were what pre-WW2 women wore, with garters... that eventually were replaced by nylons, which - even then- were in short supply during the war.

When pantyhose were invented, they got their name from the "panty" portion that eliminated the need for extra accessories to hold them up (i.e garter belts, garters, etc.).

Tights, to me, used to be what young female children wore. But that has expanded and more and more women are enjoying the freedom of color and the extra warmth that tights allow during the winter.

So, in a nutshell (the size of Miami): stockings require stays or other accessories to hold them up; thigh-highs are nylons that usually go "thigh-high" but do not require additional stays; tights are thicker, generally opaque, and usually with a panty portion; pantyhose are sheer but have a panty portion and therefore do not need additional stays.

Hmmm. Just gotta love women's clothing technology and jargon.

Answer 2

Tights go all the way up to your waist and they cover your feet. Leggings are like footless tights they only go to about your ankles. Pantyhose are the same as tights but they are tan so they can blend in with your natural skin tone. Stockings are like knee high socks made out of tight material. Blair usually wears tights or stockings underneath high waisted black skirts with a button down shirt and pearls. Her style is classy and sophisticated and I love it.

Answer 3

The term 'pantyhose' originated in the United States, referring to the combination of 'panties' (an American term for women's underpants) with sheer nylon hosiery. In the United Kingdom, they are called tights, a term that refers to all such garments regardless of whether they are sheer lingerie or sturdy outerwear.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantyhose

In the U.S., the term tights is used for non-sheer garments typically made of a stretchy material like spandex, and worn during exercise or atheletic activity, or as utility clothing.

In American English, the difference between pantyhose and tights in women's fashion is determined in the weight of the yarn used and the thickness to which the garment is knitted. Generally, anything up to 40 denier is known as pantyhose and anything over can be classified as tights. In the United Kingdom the word "tights" is always used.

A stocking is a close-fitting, variously elastic garment covering the foot and lower part of the leg, but usually not intended to conceal the leg.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockings


Tights are a type of fabric leg covering, usually extending from the waist to feet, and fitting as tightly as possible to the body (from which the name derives).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tights



stockings (thigh highs)
http://alleykatzkorner.com/shop/images/LA-9112.jpg
http://image.findandcompare.com/us/productimages/193/1100225/leg-avenue-fishnet-stockings-with-lace-tops.jpg
http://www.fibre2fashion.com/tradeleads/stocklot/CompanyProductImages/Thumbnail/Accessory/10/10448_165.jpg

tights ( opague ) pantyhose
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000CBRYCO.01-A392JADLY1R2K4._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
http://www.sock-dreams.com/_shop/image_upload/product_variety_530.jpg
http://www.attitudeholland.nl/_clientfiles/shop/articles/small/220%20Legwarmers%20tights%20-%20beenwarmers%20pantys%5Cleg028.jpg

pantyhose
http://www.epantyhose.info/pantyhose.jpg
http://see-throo.com/images/item/9908.jpg
http://www.brightlifedirect.com/product_images/ULTRA%20SHEER%20PANTYHOSE%20261.jpg

Answer 4

Stockings which are the most glamourous are held up with a garterbelt, pantihose or tights are all in one.

The hot trend right now in europe ans east and west coast, is pin-up fashion whereas vintage nylon stocings with reinforced heels and toes or full fashion , stockings with seams are worn rather than pantihose and worn with open high heel sandals, for the fiftys vintage pin-up look

very hot

Answer 5

stocking are thick, just a different word for sock basically. pantyhose are very thin and usually in nude colors, and tights are in-between the two.

Answer 6

well panty hose are a little more lighter the others are the same.

Answer 7

same?