Socks Terms explained

Socks terminology can sometimes be confusing. Some of the jargon is explained in the following list of socks terms.

• Cuban-Heel: A stocking with a heel made with folded over and sewn reinforcement.
• Demi-Toe: Stockings which have a nude, sheer heel and a reinforced toe.
• Denier: The lower the denier number the sheerer the garment. Stockings knitted with a higher denier tend to be less sheer but more durable.
• Fishnet: Knitted stockings with a very wide open knit resembling a fish net.
• Full-Fashioned: Full-fashioned stockings are knitted flat, the material is then cut and the two sides are then united by a seam up the back. Full-fashioned stockings first became popular during the 1950s.
• Matte: Stockings which have a dull or non-lustre finish.
• Mock Seams: A false seam sewn into the back of a seamless stocking.



• Nude Heel: Stockings without reinforcement in the heel area.
• Opaque: Stockings made of yarn which give them a heavier appearance (usually 40 denier or greater).
• RHT: Abbreviation of reinforced heel and toe.
• Sandalfoot: Stockings with a nude toe, meaning no heavier yarn in the toe than is in the leg.
• Seamed: Stockings manufactured in the old Full-Fashioned manner with a seam running up the back of the leg. In the past they were manufactured by cutting the fabric and then sewing it together. Today stockings are generally fully knitted and a fake or mock seam is added up the back for a particular fashion look.
• Seamless: Stockings knit in one operation on circular machines (one continuous operation) so that no seaming is required up the back.
• Sheers: Stockings generally of a 10 to 20 denier.
• Knee-Highs: Stockings that terminate at or just barely above the knee.
• Thigh-Highs: Stockings that terminate somewhere in the mid-thigh.
• Stay-ups: Stockings that are held up by sewn-in elasticated bands.
• Ultra Sheer: A fine denier fiber which gives the ultimate in sheerness. Usually 20 denier or less.
• Welt: A fabric knitted separately and machine-sewn to the top of a stocking. Knit in a heavier denier yarn and folded double to give strength for supporter fastening.

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