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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Thanks

USA Exclusive House of Holland Super Suspender in HOT PINK

PEEK Brooklyn and Who Moved my Birkin is pleased to announce the exclusive product from the House of Holland Range the Super Suspender Tight in Hot Pink. We will be the only boutique to carry this unique spin on the hottest selling product from the House of Holland Fall 11 Hosiery collection.

Pretty Polly by House of Holland has a produced yet another stellar collection for fall 11, I can't wait to showcase the rest of the collection now that the weather has finally turned. 

These super suspender tights are just the right shade of pink to wear with Black and of course PURPLE!! The illusion of a suspender stocking is the perfect addition to any hosiery collection.

I will only have a few pairs, so don't miss out on this super limited edition brought to you exclusively from PeekBrooklyn.com

The Royal Wedding- Preparation for THE spring event-Part 1

As I am sure everyone knows, a Royal Wedding is near. Kate Middleton and Prince William are set to tie the knot on April 29th at Westminster Abbey. I personally tied the knot with another lesser known British Prince 5 years ago this September. The Brits have away of making something that seems so romantic both trivial and exciting at the same time. Simultaneously embracing the wedding with endless media hype and lot's of uncomfortable navel gazing

Apparently Kate Middleton will be wearing Aristoc hosiery on the day of her wedding, which is made in Derbyshire England. Good choice for the future Queen of England, keeping the manufacturing in the sceptered Isle. Aristoc is made by the same company that make Pretty Polly, House of Holland and the PP NYLON's collection.

Liberty's is by far the most exciting shop in London-comparable to Barney's and Bendel's. Liberty of London collection for Target was the British invasion of the year 2010. I, like a lot of New Yorkers, flocked to the Pop Up shop last Spring. There floral patterns are right on point for even this spring.

Lucky for me I didn't get bored of them last season. Every-time I go to London, I go to Liberty to check out both the amazing selection of wallpaper and fabrics and of course Hosiery!!

My top is from the Liberty of London collection for Target 2010, and my tights are from a small boutique in East London circa 2006.

Pretty Polly-House of Holland Bandanna Knee Tights!

These fabulous House of Holland Bandana Knee tights are perfect for a snowy March day! When I first woke up this morning I was surprised at the inch of snow that had dusted the ground just as spring has arrived. My thoughts immediately went to the Daffodils in my front garden and if they would be able to stand up to the weather.

Many of the House of Holland collection feature a "bandana detail".  I love the bandana knee detail, it reminds me of  Dexy's Midnight Runner's "Come on Eileen" music video. Then after viewing the music video several times along with A-Ha Take on Me and having a mini dance party, I completely got distracted from the point of my blog posting. Needless to say in the "Come on Eileen" music video they do not wear the bandanas around their knees only around their necks. I do remember putting bandanas every where, when I was a kid in the 80's just like Punky Brewster who did in fact wear them around her knees.

So today's outfit and tights pairing was a Punky Brewster throwback- 

Complete with bandanas around the knee!

Black Lace Leggings and How to wear leggings!

Leggings are one of the biggest trends in hosiery. They come in all materials; denim, cotton, spandex and nylon. A variety of color and deniers. You can wear leggings alone, with a tunic and even with skirts and dresses.  This look can be tricky to pull off. Leggings of the correct denier and material look great worn alone without any covering on the BUTT.  However, some styles of Leggings in certain colors and deniers should not be worn alone! They are more like footless tights, not leggings and should not be worn without the BUTT area covered. A good rule of thumb should be- if they look like tights think of them as tights NOT leggings...and wear them accordingly.

In fall 2010 LACE leggings became the trend. You could find them at every price point from the $145.00 Alexander McQueen Koi Lace leggings at Bergdorf Goodman to the $45.00 ELLE Lace Leggings from Kohls. The pair I am wearing below are called "leggings" but since they are totally textured and still thin in the butt area, the footless tights should be worn with a longish tunic type top or under a skirt. Even with my butt covered I still decided that I need a little more coverage, so I decided to wear a pair of black spandex leggings underneath so not to reveal anything to my co-workers or the strange guy on the train...

Pretty Polly-Combo

Pretty Polly tights are my second favorite British import next to my darling husband of course.  Last year Pretty Polly launched on the US scene with both their basic Pretty Polly range and the trendy House of Holland range and their sexy Nylon range. The company Pretty Polly has been making hosiery since 1919 and gets the Pretty Polly from a race horse.

This pair of tights is designed to look like a pair of argyle knee socks worn over a opaque black tight. The tights are a perfect denier and like most of the current range of Pretty Polly is a creative twist on a classic look. I like to pair these tights with my men's style shoes, and a simple black pencil skirt. You can find Pretty Polly Tights at Urban Outfitters!

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. 

Am I a Can-Can dancer or a Mime?

These are a pair of tights from Pretty Polly. They have a Faux over the Knee effect. I received these as a sample when I was going to do some Freelance work for the US launch of Pretty Polly.

I like pairing these tights with skirts that are on the shorter side so you can get the full effect. Today's outfit sort of looks like a cross between a French Mime/Can Can dancer. With a striped shirt you always have to keep your hosiery on the simple side, too many patterns in my opinion make an outfit look to busy.

I personally don't like my smile in this picture, but it will have to do :)