The difference between Stockings, Hold Ups, Tights and Leggings!

After posting the poll earlier this week, I have been flooded with questions about what the difference is between Stockings, Hold-Ups, Tights and Leggings. In fact my co-workers and I were just discussing the confusion and differences. So an in depth description is definitely necessary.

Lets start with Tights-The definition of tights: a piece of clothing made of a thin stretchy material which covers the leg and lower part of the body below the waist, and which is worn by women and girls. (Sometimes-wink- the brand Gerbe make a fantastic collection for Men as do most Italian manufactures)
Tights come in all different colors, sizes and patterns. They can be funky or conservative and can either make you look polished or ready to go out on the town. Unlike Pantyhose which are usually more neutral in color as if having a bare leg with out texture or style as far as I am concerned and incredibly uncomfortable if they have control top.

Pretty Polly Tights

Next Leggings-are tight, form-fitting trousers that extend from the waist to the ankles; Leggings are typically made from a blend of Lycra, and either nylon, cotton, or a cotton-polyester blend. However, leggings can also be made from wool, silk, and various synthetic fabrics and can be completely opaque or patterned. In recent years have been come more fashionable and can be worn alone or with a tunic type top. I like Leggings, not my favorite trend as far as Hosiery, but they are great worn with boots so that you don’t wear out the heels of your tights. They are come in denim and are called “Jeggings”.

Sparkle and Fade Leggings from Urban Outfitters

On to my favorite form of leg wear - Hold Ups. I prefer these to tights and come in the same or more variety as far awesome patterns you can get. Hold Ups are stockings that can be worn with or without suspenders. They glamour of stockings with the convenience of tights! Hold Ups, unlike stockings come in a wide variety of textures, materials and patterns. They are usually made from nylon or a Lycra blend. They are both sexy and functional for daily wear. They are harder to find in the States and are far more comfortable then tights.

Jonathan Aston Lace Hold Ups

Finally Stockings, the common misconception is that all of the above are in face “stockings” which is not true. The history of the word Stocking -The use of stocking to mean a leg covering may have arisen from the blackly humorous comparison of the stocks in which people's legs were restrained as punishment with "leggings, hose." Until comparatively recently stocking was a unisex term (as it still is in the expression "in your stockinged feet"); the restriction to women's hose is a 20th-century development since prior stockings were worn mostly by men. Modern usage of the word stockings generally refers to thigh high nylon stockings, two matching pieces, and depending on the design, can be quite sensual. Stockings usually come in nylon or in Silk and have to be worn with Garters or a Garter belt. These can even go a few steps further and become fully fashioned. Which are by far the most beautiful and classic.

Classic Stockings

Cervin Champs Elysees

100% Silk Stockings

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Stocking Around Town with Majoire Helene Hache

Here is my friend Marjorie! I met Marjorie when she came to NYC with my friend Laura Angela! She brought me the tights I am wearing in this post. Marjorie lives and works in Paris-very lucky girl!

She definitely has the best dressed legs in Paris!

Similar Pair by Sneaky Fox

Oroblu Tights

Italian hosiery has always reflected that country's unique style, sexiness and brovado. Unlike the more understated French hosiery with natural colors and heavier deniers, Italian hosiery is an explosion of colorful graphics and odd color combinations. I have countless pairs that feature color stories that are difficult to wear and showcase with out buying specific outfits to wear with them.

The brand Oroblu is no exception. They have classic hosiery, or as they call it the couture high-end chic. The elegance collection, the daily collection, the ex cell collection that help massage the cellulite out your legs and the bronzing collection that give your legs the appearance of being tan, similar to the Gerbe sunlight collection.

They even have the Miss Oroblu collection which is a "younger" version of the Trend line that Oroblu creates for the fall/winter and spring/summer seasons. I always eye up the brand, and often resist

This pair of Oroblu tights are from the fall 2010 collection remind me of a Harlequin or Picasso painting. I purchased them at Nordstrom's this past weekend.

When I first picked them up I wasn't thrilled by the color, but very intrigued by the pattern. I turned them around to find that they were gray and purple, SCORE! Then when I got home I found they had a third color, green. Well like I said, classic Italian hosiery-great patterns odd color combos! I paired them with a simple black outfit and gray sweater. I only wish I would of worn a shorter skirt to truly showcase the bold pattern.

Monoprix Collant

In France there is an amazing selection of Hosiery- From Galeries Lafayette to Monoprix. French women wear hosiery even in the summer.  There are boutiques that house fantastic French brands like Gerbe and Cervin and small boutiques with selections of hosiery that are eclectic, and full of surprises. I could spend a lifetime in the backstreets of Paris turning up new finds.

Monoprix is a SUPERmarket! - Think Target with style. They have everything from a vast selection of Yogurts and other grocery's- children's clothes and yes hosiery! Monoprix is always on point of the trends of the season, and their hosiery is no exception. The color of the hold-ups below are purple fishnets, I know I said I don't wear fishnets but purple ones I can make an exception for. They always have fishnets in the current trend colors, and in both hold-ups and tights. They are only around 8 Euro's so I bought two pairs of both.  They have trendy leggings and basics like opaque black and neutral skin tones. After spending close to 100 Euros I had to make my way over the cookie aisle and buy my favorites-  Lotus Speculoos and a bottle of wine that didn't cost more than 4 Euros and finally a shirt for Max, because they have the cutest kids clothes. This was the least expensive hosiery buy of the trip.

The combination of purple fishnets, black mini and combat style boots make me feel like it's 1997, with the exception of my very grown up Eileen Fisher sweater that I bought at the sample sale at work. I was going to attempt to wear one grey fishnet hold up and one purple, but my conservative nature got the better of me. So in the mean time I will have to conjure up another outfit for my grey fishnet hold-ups. 

Gerbe-Laçage Collants

There is nothing better then unveiling a brand new pair of tights for a special occasion. Today I had something special happening so I decided to wear my new pair of Gerbe Laçage Tights that I purchased in the hosiery store "Elegance" in Penn Station, one of the best hosiery stores, and until now, one of the best kept secerts in the whole of New York City!

Gerbe is a French brand that I first discovered in Paris. They have some of the most exciting trends in tights. They have been extremely hard to hard to find in the US  until recently, and they even have a new and improved website! Gerbe has something for everyone-they make fully fashioned stockings, to the best opaque black tights, sun kissed tights for those days before you legs are tan and even hosiery for men.

The Gerbe Laçage tights are part of their Limited Edition Collection. Their limited editions are only out for a year or until they sell out so you have to make an instant decision not to miss out. I have miss out on many pairs throughout the years, which when you are a "collector" like me can be frustrating. After waiting for the perfect occasion to wear my Gerbe Laçage Tights, and receiving a few double takes and compliments, I snagged them on the knee. So they are going straight back itno my collection before anything else can happen to these real one of a kind.

Laçage translates to "Lacing"

These Tights have the apperence of a Tall Lace Up boot!

The Curve NY Expo

I went to the Curve NY Expo today, which is a Lingerie and Hosiery Show at the Javits Center in NYC. On display I found all the amazing Fall 2011 collections from some of my favorite brands; Pretty Polly/House of Holland, The Dirty Dolls and Gerbe.  All have a unique look and style.

Dirty Dolls is my favorite indie brand! They have an inspired vintage style with a mission of bringing back glamor to your everyday underpinnings! I first discovered them at a Curve NY show a few years ago, when I was first starting on my mission of owning my own lingerie/hosiery store. Since then I have been constantly inspired by there collections and support of my dream. In addition to there lovely selection of Brasseries, garter belts, and panties they are also are working with Secrets in Lace on the Bettie Page Stocking Collection. Which are beautiful fully fashioned %100 Nylon Stocking.

Modeling the Dirty Dolls newest collection is Angie Pontani!

With one of the founders and Creators of Dirty Dolls!

A sample of the Bettie Page Hoisery Collection

Pretty Polly's House of Holland Collection is a twist on an established British Brand. Pretty Polly, is the best know brand in the UK. In the past few years they have made a successful plunge into the US market. Selling at stores like Bloomingdales, Urban Outfitters, ModCloth.com and even the tres chic boutique in the Ace Hotel in the Flatiron district, Manhattan.

My favorite pair of Tights from the Spring 2011 House of Holland Collection.

Not only do I love the stars on the legs, I love the star detail on the bum!

A perfect reveal for any aspiring Burlesque Star! 

Pretty Polly Nylon collection is a sophisticated vintage inspired tight, 

complete with back seam and shinny 10 denier... 

Finally, Gerbe a French brand of Hosiery that dates back to 1904. They are by far one of the most prestigious brands.  I have about 12 pairs in my collection, and have mentioned them a few times in the past.  They are one of my favorite French Brands. They always have distinctive patterns and look. They have every sort of hosiery, fashion tights, fully fashioned stockings, leggings, mens tights, socks etc. My favorite part of opening a new pair of Gerbe tights is the little slips that  name all of the people who worked on that pair. I learned today that some pairs have as many as 12 different people working on them at all the different steps of the process. I am particularly excited for their newest collaboration with "Gaspard Yurkievich". This new limited edition collection, will be a beautiful addition to the already modern and cosmopolitan look that Gerbe has provided for years.

All in All the show was a lot of fun, great seeing what will be coming up for the spring and fall seasons and connecting with some great people in the industry. I did however miss seeing a few of my favorite brands. I guess I will have to stumble upon like a normal person on-line or in a store.

I also happen to be wearing a pair of Gerbe Tights, 

I bought in Galeries Lafayette in Paris a few years ago. 

New-Gerbe Collant Kilim

These are brand new out of the package! I recently purchased them at the hosiery shop inside Penn Station, I know Penn Station but they are one of the only places in NYC that you can find this brand of hosiery. Gerbe is a French brand and is similar to Wolford. I have 6 pairs of this brand that I bought at Galeries Lafayette in Paris not Penn Station...

These tights are beautiful, the pattern is called Kilim . They have an all over folk art design on a sheer base. I find the pattern both exotic and exciting.

I always get asked how to wear a pattern tight with a patterned skirt. This is a nice example. This skirt looks like a cross between and ink blot and a watercolor, the skirt is from JCrew and no longer available. The structure to the pattern on the tights in a nice compliment to the abstract pattern of the skirt.
By pairing it with a plain top it makes your outfit seem less busy...

I recently came upon this posting at AlreadyPretty.com. I think this a great go to guide for anyone that might be nervous about wearing those great tights that have been hiding in your drawer.