Stockings and hosiery can basically be broken down to four different categories or types; tights, pantyhose, stockings, and thigh highs.

Stockings are extremely popular for creating vintage or retro style looks and are a great accessory for completing or styling an outfit. Stockings require garters belts to keep them up and this is the main component to why they are so sexy. Usually stockings are sold with the garter belt and garters but always check as it can be frustrating to try and match up garters and stockings at a later date.

Thigh High’s are a stocking that can stay up without garters and garter belts as they usually have silicon strips to hold them up on your legs in place. Thigh highs come in many styles such as fishnets, opaques, lace and also what is known as back seam (those with the black seam along the back) Often thigh highs have bows, lace inserts and patterns to help complete and style your outfit.

Pantyhose are typically nylon and are considered close-fitting legwear, covering the body from the waist to the feet. Most of us have worn pantyhose before in our life time but how they have changed over the years. Pantyhose are now available in full figure so there is no more trying to stay in pantyhose that don't fit correctly. Pantyhose are more often worn to keep your legs warm and for physical imperfections such as blemishes, bruises and scars. However pantyhose are no longer just for the business woman or for the office. Pantyhose have become a hugely popular accessory item for most women.

Tights are similar to pantyhose however tights will have a thicker material, consistency or denier. Tights with a higher denier tend to be less sheer but more durable. This is why most of us wore tights to school when we were younger. Tights come in many types of materials such as cotton and merino wool. Tights are also extremely fashionable and come in many styles and patterns such as ribbed. If a tight is footless it is usually referred to as a legging.