TIGHTS TOES, BRIEFS & WAISTBAND PAGE

TOES

TOES: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

The toe of tights and stockings can be very important - it can certainly dictate what type of shoes you can wear with an outfit, however it can be confusing as different brands use different terms.

Sheer Toe

Sheer toe means that the fabric will be the same thickness all the way over the leg, foot and toe. This is typical with most ultra sheer women's tights. Sheer toes are fantastic worn with strappy sandals as there’s no change whatsoever in fabric around the toe area, however, this does mean that the fabric will be more delicate, especially in extremely low deniers.

Sandal Toe

This describes hosiery with barely visible reinforcement. The fabric around the toe will be the same as the foot, but the weave will be slightly stronger on the toe – you should be able to see a very faint line on the toe where the weave changes. Tights with sandal toes are perfect worn with open-toe shoes. You can also choose to wear them with strappy sandals but the change in weave may be ever so slightly visible.

Open Toes

How did we survive without open toes! These are summer essentials, open toe tights have an opening at the foot, leaving your toes completely exposed. They are ideal for wearing with peep-toe shoes if you still want the benefits of sheer tights ensuring your legs look better than bare. You can choose to go for a product with a toe loop (such as Pretty Polly Naturals) to secure them in place, or no loops at all.

Reinforced Toe

This is where there is visible reinforcement across the toe for added durability. Both the weave and the denier are different from the rest of the leg

BRIEFS

BRIEFS EXPLAINED

Women’s tights have various different briefs including sheer to waist, boxer brief and V line brief. If you’re not too sure what each one will look like, or if it will show when wearing a short skirt.

Sheer to Waist

Sheer to waist tights are perfect if you’re planning on wearing a short dress or skirt. This is because the construction of the leg and the brief area is the same denier (thickness) all the way from the toes to the waistline.  No matter if a product is 5 denier or 40 denier, if we call it sheer to waist then that means that the fabric has the same denier and weave along the entire leg, right up to the waist. Read our Deniers guide for more information on the different thickness of tights available.

V Line Brief

Like a boxer briefs, V line briefs are constructed with a higher denier around the waist area, however the brief is in V-line rather than boxer shaped similar to a pair of regular knickers. This brief is ideal if you want something that is slightly more elegant than boxer briefs, while having more cover in the brief area.

Boxer Brief

When tights have a boxer brief, then the leg is of one denier (thickness) and the brief area is of a higher (thicker) denier. The area of a higher denier goes from the waistband and finishes in a straight line across the top of the thighs - which looks a bit like wearing a pair of boxer shorts. This change in weave makes the tights more durable, however, boxer briefs may not be ideal if you’re planning on wearing a short skirt – especially if you were to have Marilyn Monroe moment!

WAISTBANDS

WAISTBANDS: WHAT’S AVAILABLE?

Regular

Most ladies tights you find will typically have a waistband which sits directly on your waist, level with your tummy button. These tights with a regular waistband will sit neatly behind the waist of your skirt or trousers. If you’re a big fan of hipster skirts, these won’t be suitable for you as the top of the tights will appear above the top of your skirt!

Hipster

Hipster tights do exactly what they say on the tin – well packet that is! They are designed so that they don't go the whole way up to your waist and finish on your hips instead. They’re great if you like to wear hipster skirts or trousers as they will sit neatly below the top of your low-rise skirts and shorts.

High

Products with a high waistband have a much longer brief area so that the 'waistband' sits just below your bra rather than at waist level. High 'waisted' products are most frequently found with control top tights and women's shapewear products as they provide control over a large area. They are therefore ideal to wear if you want to have a smooth, streamlined appearance and are worried about being a little too curvaceous on your back or upper tummy! Have a read of our womens Shapewear guide for more advice on shapewear. Tights with a high waistband are also good even if you don't want to hold anything in as if you are wearing a clingy dress with high waisted tights there will be no waistband to show through around your middle. Articleby:MyTights.com