Americans Say Pantyhose We Say Tights
Pantyhose and tights are often regarded as the same. However, the question arises if they are, and if not, what differs the two from each other?
Let’s have a look at the similarities. Both provide complete covering to the legs, from the waist to the toes. Both have nylon and Lycra in their contents, providing comfort and a nice fit. Both come in a variety of designs and deniers, including specialised types.
Developed in the US, the term “pantyhose” combined the two words panties and hosiery, to signify the thickness of the gussets which allow them to worn without any underwear.
The concept of tights was to develop something that provided a close body fit for horse riding. Since then, fashion has developed them to be a practical item of clothing, and their continued tight fit gave the rise to the name.
The use of tights and pantyhose is numerous; from the demands of outfits to the concealment of skin blemishes. Both can be worn with short outfits to maintain a level of decency, and are equally applicable in the summer and winter months.
When in America, it’s the thickness, measured in deniers, which differentiates tights from pantyhose. Anything up to 40 deniers is considered as pantyhose, as the lower denier makes the item thinner and transparent. Higher denier means more opaqueness in the item, thus being called tights.
However, in the UK, there is no such distinction as the word “tights” is used across the board, with “pantyhose” a very rare term in the market.
So, pantyhose and tights have the same use, share the delicateness in nature and can be damaged in the same way. The only difference it seems is on where you come from, not the garment itself!