Stockings Buying Guide
Although it's probably what your grandmum calls them, pantyhose are not the same thing as stockings. Stockings have had a much more elegant history--think pin ups, or any black and white movie where a girl asks if her seams are straight--and are currently experiencing a comeback. They're slightly less of a no-brainer than pull on tights or pantyhose; stockings, which come in two pieces, one for each leg, require a holding apparatus. But the extra hardware, such as a garter belt  and clips or silicone strips, may be worth the benefits.
Weighing Your Options
Pros: - They're sexy. Whether you go the garter belt route, or your pair has a lacy band to hold them up, stockings are definitely aesthetically pleasing. The peak of thigh is a big part of that too.
- They're fast. Gotta go? These can stay in place while you pee, making them one less garment to wriggle out of when nature calls.
- They're cool. Like, literally. No reinforced nylon crotches means your business can breathe.
Cons: - They require a little planning. You're going to need a way to keep them up.
- They're a little more expensive. Either investing in a lot of extra features, like silicone strips or heavy duty elastic, or you're buying a separate garter belt.
- You need to be aware of them. Whether it's making sure they're not falling down or that you can't see your garter clips through a skirt, stockings can be a bit high-maintenance.
Okay, so buy now, you're probably pretty sure whether or not stockings are right for you. If not, check out pantyhose. Or maybe invest in some new razors and skip the hosiery all together! But if you're still interested, narrow your stocking search by perusing a few variations on a sexy theme.
What's In Stock?
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Opaque
Sheer
The model in this photo is wearing sheer stockings, as opposed to opaque; this means that more of the leg is visible through the cloth, but the stockings will be less durable. The measure of a stocking's opacity is in the "dernier" number. The higher the number, the thicker the fabric (usually between 10 and 40). |
Fishnet
Black
Nude
Red
Fencenet
There are lots of fun colours and patterns to choose from with stockings. Fishnets are usually considered either very sexy or very hard edged. Colours on the other hand are playful, and nude or black appropriate for work wear. |
Cuban Heel
Full Fashioned
Seamed
Reinforced Toe
Reinforced Heel
Sandal Toe
Less visible variations include where the garment is reinforced for durability (like in the toe, or the heel in the case of the Cuban heel), or is "fully fashioned" (meaning it was cut from flat fabric and stitched in the back, with a visible seam). More fashion conscious choices include a false seam (added onto a stocking for the look), or a sandal toe, which leaves the toes exposed for open-toed shoe wear. |
Bows
Patterns
Rhinestones
Probably best reserved for costumes (or the bedroom), decorated stockings are certainly fun. Bows and rhinestones will probably cause some bumps under clothing, so trying to sneak them under something long is probably not a good idea. If you want your hose to be the focal point of your outfit, however, patterns or rhinestones can be an interesting look. Just exercise your fashion options responsibly and don't cause any car wrecks. |
Now that you know the basics of stockings themselves, here are a few options you have for holding them up.
Keeping Up
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Garter Belts
Stockings
Garter Belt
Garter belts are cloth, often elasticized, garments worn around the waist or hips over panties. They have clips that pinch the tops of stockings and help hold them up. Garter belts can often be bought in sets with matching underwear, reinforcing their dual applications as both stocking hold up and sexy lingerie piece. |
Stay-ups
Garterless Stockings
Lacy Tops
Stay ups are stockings that don't require garter belts to stay in place. They traditionally employed thick, tight elastic bands to stay up, but newer models feature strips of silicone which stick to the skin and keep the garment from slipping. Whichever model you choose, the top part of the stocking may give you some embellishment choices, with either a pattern or lace. |
Garter
Even if you've never used a garter, you've probably seen plenty of them at weddings and bachelor parties. That's because, while not very practical, they're a fun and feminine piece. Their bulk makes them a poor choice to wear seamlessly under clothing, but go ahead and try a pair on for a costume or other fun event. |
Faux Garter
This model of stocking captures the best of both worlds: the sexy look of a garter belt, easy access to the girl parts, and none of the fuss of actually purchasing and putting on a garter belt with clips. They're expensive, and probably not practical enough for every day use, but they just might be the thing for an after-work seduction. |
Since a picture's worth more than a few words, here are a few visual guides to patterns and textures in stockings to help you find the name of what you're looking for.
Fancy Pants
Sheer Magic
Detail Work
Hardware
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US Site
GB Site