Lycra Revolutionises Tights and Hosiery

As a staple item in the wardrobe of ladies for many years, the introduction of Lycra to hosiery is more recent. So has it been a change for the better?

Hosiery of the past was also known as “tights”, but neither did it provide the comfort nor the support that we have become accustomed to in the present day and age.

The chief content of hosiery in the early 1900s was silk or rayon; by the 1940s, nylon took centre-stage. The commercial use of tights and pantyhose only began in the 1950s, and even then it was due to necessity.

The invention of Lycra in the 1960s brought the elastic property to stockings, tights and pantyhose, making them more comfortable and easier to wear, as well as improving the support that they provided or meant to provide.

But has hosiery become better? Most users will definitely say yes, since Lycra has increased comfort to the point of making hosiery a daily wear item, essential to various outfits and purposes.

One would wonder why Lycra has brought on this comfort. It is the elasticity that Lycra possesses, giving hosiery the stretch and cling which ends up as support and comfort for the legs, becoming an appealing piece of clothing. With the ability to hold themselves up and stay up, the days of tights and stockings falling down are long gone.

There is more definition and a sleeker outlook with a comfortable hold for the legs, with many men preferring women’s legs in stockings than without.

So, in terms of making hosiery better, there is bound to be a triumphant “yes” for the addition of Lycra. Giving comfort, support and shape to all forms of hosiery, and resulting in a nicer appearance, the experience of wearing this form of garment is now more enjoyable the world over.

Seasonal Tights

There are tights for summer, there are tights for winter; one can find tights for any season or occasion. Finding the right tights for a particular time of the year can be done by reviewing the specifications for each. Here’s a quick guide:

The common perception among people is to avoid wearing tights in summer. However, when chosen correctly, tights can be worn even during those warm days without any worries.

Lightweight tights are more breathable than opaque ones, and can provide comfort for when worn in the summer months. Avoiding dark colours and thick materials, a lower denier pair of tights also allows ease of wear.

To give you that glowing suntanned look, opt for a natural shade of tights in the summer. For a classy night out, show off your legs by wearing a pair that has a slight sheen. When your dress allows for it, pastels and brighter colours can also be worn, provided they are not of the thicker variety.

In the cold months, tights cater to the fashion and keep you warm, as long as they are the right ones. Ones made of wool let you wear dresses and skirts throughout winters, without compromising on the cosy feeling. Supplement with a matching pair of boots, and you are ready to wow the world.

Black and grey tights are the choice of the darker shades, which make their appearance in droves during the winters. However, if you are more colour savvy, wearing ones that are brighter can smarten up your outfit and light up the gloomy day.

So, tights are fashionable throughout the heat of summer and the chill of winter. Just make sure you stay comfortable by finding the right pair for the job.

Compression Tights and Stockings

Like various hosiery items, there are numerous types of compression tights. The one you purchase depends on what is suggested for you to use. But first let’s define what compression hosiery is.

Tights and stockings used to medically treat various forms of vascular conditions, and improve blood circulation in the legs due to their relatively tight nature, are the compression variants.

The flow of blood reverses when connective tissues around the legs’ veins become weak, resulting in swelling and extreme pain.

By wearing compression tights or stockings, extra pressure can be applied to help the muscles keep the blood flow proper. Thus the severity of varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be averted.

If you are catching a long-haul flight or suffer from varicose veins, compression tights can be prescribes by your medical practitioner as a precautionary or reduction mechanism.

The feet and ankles are the points which suffer more; hence, the compression stockings and tights are designed to provide graduated pressure across the leg, but the most on these points. They are tight to put and require fitting by a doctor, especially to get you the right size and grade of compression.

They have the same appearance as normal hosiery, so rest assured that you will not be out of place while wearing them, but in comfort and doing something good for your legs.

Support tights share the properties of compressing tights, barring the fact they are designed to cater to the general public for aches and minor vein problems. Also, a medical practitioner is required to prescribe compression tights after assessing the nature of the problem.

The brand of compression stockings and tights don’t matter; what is important is how effective they are for you in reducing the problems with your legs. Get the advice of a doctor; that will be the best choice of compression tights for you.