some stocking terminology
Cuban-Heel - A stocking with a heel made with folded over and sewn reinforcement.
Demi-Toe – Stockings which have a reinforced toe with half the coverage on top as on the bottom. This results in a reinforcement that covers only the tip of the toes as opposed to the whole toe. These can be with or without a reinforced heel.
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.
Fencenet – Similar to fishnet, but with a much wider pattern. These are sometimes worn over another pair of stockings or pantyhose, such as matte or opaque, with a contrasting colour.
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 were the most popular style until the 1960’s.
Hold-ups or Stay-ups – Stockings that are held up by sewn-in elasticated bands (quite often a wide lace top band).
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 15 to 20 denier.
Knee-Highs – Stockings that terminate at or just barely below the knee.
Thigh-Highs – Stockings that terminate somewhere in the mid-thigh.
Ultra Sheer - A fine denier fiber which gives the ultimate in sheerness. Usually 10 denier.
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.