From tights and stockings to hold ups and anti-chafing garments, there are many different types of stylish and practical hosiery garments that can bring something new to your outfits.

What are tights?

First gaining popularity during the 1960s when the mini skirt was a must-have garment, tights cover the lower body from the waist to the toes. Tights come in a range of different thicknesses, or deniers, with 10 denier tights being much thinner and less opaque than 60 denier tights.

What are anti-chafing garments?

Anti chafing shorts, examples of which can be seen on specialist sites such as https://www.bettertights.com/collections/anti-chafing-shorts, resemble a pair of tights. However, they are not full length and typically sit just above the knee. They sit seamlessly against the skin for a streamlined look and are designed to prevent uncomfortable chafing that can occur on the thighs during the hot summer months.

Anti-chafing garments can also help to maintain your modesty if you have an accidental Marilyn Monroe moment on a warm but breezy summertime evening.

What are hold ups?

First made popular during the 1940s and 1950s, hold ups are stockings that feature a thin strip of silicone around the top. This silicone sticks slightly to the skin, helping them to stay in place throughout the day. Although hold ups fell out of favour for a while, the Daily Record has highlighted that celebrities including Lily Allen and Dita Von Teese have contributed to their revival.

What are stockings?

Stockings are similar to hold ups, however, they don’t have a strip of silicone and are instead kept in place by attaching them to a garter belt or suspender. Suspenders come in a range of different styles, some of which are worn at the waist and some of which are worn around the hips. They generally have between four and six adjustable straps that come with clips so you can attach your stockings easily.

Whether you’re dressing for comfort, style or a bit of both, there are many different hosiery options that you can experiment with every time you’re putting a new outfit together.