Hosiery

Overview

The first references to hosiery can be found in the works of Hesiod, where Romans are said to have used leather or cloth in forms of strips to cover their lower body parts. Even the Egyptians are speculated to have used hosiery, as socks have been found in certain tombs.

Most hosiery garments are made by knitting methods. Modern hosiery is usually tight-fitting by virtue of stretchy fabrics and meshes. Older forms include binding to achieve a tight fit. Due to its close fit, most hosiery can be worn as an undergarment, but it is more commonly worn as a combined under/outer garment.

Hosiery garments are the product of hosiery fabric produced from hosiery yarn. Like the yarn used for making woven fabric, hosiery yarn comes from a separate spinning (yarn making) process, and is used with circular knitting machines to form fabric. One or more hosiery yarn is used to make knitted or hosiery fabric, and garments produced out of this are generally referred to as hosiery garments.

Types

• Bodystockings
• Compression stockings, a.k.a. support stockings
• Hold-ups (British English), stay-ups (British English) or thigh-high stockings (American English)
• Hosen (clothing)
• Knee highs
• Leggings, or yoga pants
• Socks, tube socks (American English), knee-highs and over-the-knees
• Stockings, held by a suspender belt
• Tights (British English; also common in American usage) or pantyhose (American English)
• Toe socks
• Legwarmers