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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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. 

Pauline Cervin Tights and a night of Burlesque!

Cervin Hosiery, are one of the most historic manufacturers of Hosiery in France. They are best know for their fully fashioned Champs Elysees  100% Silk stockings. They have a unique way of giving your leg the look of length, line, sophistication and perfection- And my legs are far from perfect- and this is one of the main reasons I wear hosiery- fake it and flaunt it!

This particular pair, I have been coveting for over 2 years now. They are extremely hard to find here in the States, and when you do find the brand, they are always the Champs Elysees line or Espirt Bicolor- which do not have a pattern. Not to knock those fabulous collections, but I personally love a unique pattern. This pair "Pauline" have a Peacock feather styling which is sheer luxury. I finally got a chance to wear them, last night when Nathan and I went out for a night of Burlesque at Duane Park in lower Manhattan. With the feathering and flattering that comes with these tights, I was tempted, for a moment, to take to the stage!