Stockings

Stockings for fashion and function

In the world of women’s lingerie, few things seem as complex or confusing as stockings. On a basic level, “stockings” refers to sheer leg coverings or tights that go up to or past the knee. The fact that they come as two separate pieces differentiates them from pantyhose, which are pulled up to the waist and are one piece.

How Stockings Work

There are three different ways to wear ladies stockings. In the one option, often called “stay-ups”, the stockings are held in place thanks to elastic tops that hug the thigh. These stockings may also have a silicone band on the inside that provides a no-slip grip. This same silicone material is found on many strapless bras for the same reason. Another way of holding up women’s stockings is through the use of garters. These stretchy bands serve the same purpose as the tops of stay-ups, but aside from wedding tradition, are rarely used.

Stockings can also be held up through the use of a garter belt. This lingerie garment is worn around the waist above panties or a thong, and has little suspenders (also called “stays”) with clips that hold up the stockings in two or three places on each leg. The garter belt is probably the most reliable way to hold up stockings.

Varieties of Stockings

Stockings come in a number of different colors, transparencies and textures. Women can choose opaque stockings in colors like navy, maroon and brown for a sophisticated and slimming look, or nude colored transparent stockings for a smooth, polished appearance on those days when there isn’t time to shave. Lace and other patterned stockings are also available, though we would avoid choosing the woolly ones your mother made you wear to school in the wintertime when you were a kid.

Fishnet stockings are probably the best-known stockings for anyone hoping to kick up their look a notch (or three). Fishnets can be found with varying sizes of holes, and can be exciting when paired over colored stockings or when worn alone.

For a lady looking to get a slimmer silhouette, women’s support stockings provide a firmer appearance by fitting more tightly to the body. They can be paired with control panties for full-body smoothing.