Hosiery opportunity - The Retail Practice

Jacques Vert Group
Hosiery opportunity
1
Contents
Executive summary
3
Hosiery – scope of products
4
The UK market
5
Brand maps
6
Marketing campaigns
8
Hosiery trends
11
Seasonality
13
Pricing
13
Packaging (including innovation,
photography conventions and key information)
14
Hosiery in store
19
Planet comparison brands and products
20
Jacques Vert brands that could consider
hosiery in the future
21
Manufacturing/imports
22
The future of hosiery
22
Opportunities
23
Recommendations
24
The Retail Practice can help
24
Hunkemöller’s new packaging
25
Glossary
26
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
2
Executive summary
• The UK hosiery market is growing each
year by around 5%.
• M&S lead cash market with 24% share.
• Average margin is comparatively low
(typically 55%) however ranges have very
high density with lower mark-down so
high profitability is ensured, provided the
volumes come through.
• Hosiery products are both a good entry point
into the brand and a cross-sell opportunity.
• It’s as much about fashion now as it
is function – providing more reasons
to purchase.
• Merchandising is space efficient and we
recommend a starting capsule collection of
twelve options.
• Innovation of both product and packaging is
now a key trend.
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Hosiery: Scope of products
Tights
Socks
Stockings
Hold-ups
Knee-highs
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
Ankle Socks
4
The UK market
Market size
• UK hosiery market is worth approx £320m.
(Pretty Polly source)
• Hosiery is estimated to have had the largest growth in
the lingerie market from 2008 to 2012. (Keynote Lingerie
Market Report 2013)
• Value has increased by 21.4% leading to a larger proportion
of the lingerie market specifically 26.5% in 2012, with sales
at £844m.
Market share (value)
• Marks and Spencer 24%
• Primark 15-18% (Primark has larger volume sales
than M&S).
• Sainsburys, Tescos, Asda have about 10% market
share each. (Pretty Polly source)
The UK Hosiery Sector by Value at Current Prices
(£m at rsp and %), 2008‑2012 rsp — retail selling prices
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Value (£m at rsp)
695
729
765
803
844
% change year-onyear
-
4.9
4.9
5
5.1
Share of the total
lingerie market (%)
25.9
26
26.2
26.3
26.5
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Brand maps
Price
High
Sex appeal
Low
High
Low
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Price
High
Visual impact
Low
High
Low
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Marketing campaigns
Donna Karan Haven’t We Met
Before? 2013
• To coincide with the launch of the
Donna Karan Hosiery Evolution
Collection, a specially commissioned
film entitled “Haven’t We Met
Before” was released online. Directed
by actress Anjelica Huston, it stars
Felicity Jones and Jack Davenport. • The film is based on a man and a
woman’s seductive role-play and
focuses on Jones’ quiet excitement in
preparing for her night.
• It is a new format for Karan,
who’s overseen her brand’s shift
towards digital campaigns: “I think
the Internet is brilliant from an
awareness point of view.”
• Donna Karan Evolution is a
technological breakthrough in hosiery
that acts as “a day spa for your legs.”
Special knitting technology and micro
fibers work to massage and energize
your legs while you wear them.
•• watch their campaign ••
Duane Reade Show Us Some Leg Facebook Campaign, 2013
• The largest drugstore chain in New
York created a 7 week social media
campaign to raise awareness of
Duane Reade brand hosiery products.
• It intended to help New Yorkers find
the perfect legwear for a multitude of
events in time for the winter season.
• Entrants uploaded photos wearing
Duane Reade brand hosiery via a
Facebook page application.
• Calvin Peters, the brand’s online/
public relations manager said that we
are “promoting the affordability and
quality of Duane Reade legwear... in
a fun and engaging manner” and it
“allows New Yorkers to engage with
Duane Reade on strategic digital,
social media and in-store platforms.”
• Initiatives included: multiple digital
marketing platforms, VIP blogger
videos; publishing of photos from
social media sites; in-store signage,
in-store radio announcements and
POS flyers in-store.
• Each week there were 3 winners with
1st prize of an iPod Touch, a 2nd prize
of $200 worth of Duane Reade gift
cards and a 3rd prize of $100 worth of
Duane Reade hosiery products.
• The campain helped boost sales by
28% and increased online mentions
of Duane Reade in connection with
discussions about hosiery by 89%.
The event drove nearly 2 million
impressions for the #DRLegwear
hash tag.
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Pretty Polly
Pop-up shop, 2011
• The pop-up store in Knightsbridge
was created by RPM’s hotel retail
department. It housed a complete
range of Pretty Polly, House of
Holland and Aristoc tights, a
photographic studio, chill out area
and free beauty treatments.
• Celebrity photographer Boyd
Alexander snapped the ‘prospective
best legs’ of 2011, as part of a
competition to find the next Pretty
Polly brand ambassador. Photographs
were uploaded to Facebook.
• Dom Robertson, managing director,
RPM: “The challenge with this project
was developing a campaign that
would work both as an experience
in the pop up shop and online via
the Facebook campaign. Increasingly
we are seeing online and offline
working together to really amplify
marketing projects.”
Stairway To Heaven, 2006
• A simple creative idea of a ladder
in tights led to the campaign line
‘Stairway to heaven’.
• For two weeks in November, Polish
model Anna Tokarska gazed down
from a 64-foot billboard on the M4
Chiswick roundabout. This image also
appeared on billboards and the backs
of buses, and was used to support
retailers’ direct marketing and
in-store activity.
• Pretty Polly commercial director Sue
Clague says: ‘...a stunning image and
effective stunt delivered cut-through
and word of mouth.’
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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L’eggs, You’re in luck. You’re in
L’eggs, 2011
• L’eggs hosiery launched a national
marketing campaign featuring their
first television advertising in more
than 14 years and a tagline: You’re in
luck. You’re in L’eggs.
• The new campaign, as well as a
new website and social media
outreach, is part of the brand’s
effort to contemporise its image
and emphasise that L’eggs hosiery
provides women with the perfect
everyday finishing touch for any outfit
and any occasion.
• The advertisement shows a young
woman getting ready for her day,
imagining the various social situations
she’ll encounter that all featuring
L’eggs hosiery.
• “Hosiery is increasingly becoming
part of women’s regular beauty
routine, giving them complete
confidence in every setting or
situation,” said Angela Hawkins,
director and general manager of
hosiery for HanesBrands, which
owns L’eggs.
SockShop.co.uk, Sock It viral
game, 2009
• Online retailer SockShop.co.uk
launched a new viral game, Sock It,
created by digital agency TAMBA
• It is an interactive, multi-level
game which challenges users to
match up socks against a 60 second
clock; offering a fun and brand-led
experience to online shoppers.
• The game launched after Sock Shop
announced a plan of digital activity,
which included new microsites and
the introduction of additional
product ranges.
• The game intended to increase
its online presence, boost brand
awareness and drive traffic to the
brand’s site.
• Cassie Ash, marketing manager at
SockShop.co.uk : “We are confident
that a viral game will create an
online buzz about SockShop.co.uk;
introducing new customers to
our wide range of products and
customer service.”
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Hosiery trends
Key market trends
• Opaque
• Fishnets
• Polka Dots
(Wolford source)
Fashion trends
• A greater emphasis on accessories within the fashion
industry has benefitted the sector. Hosiery products have
become an integral part of the latest fashion trends.
• There has been an overall growth in the range of tights and
stockings available.
• “Consumer demand for fashion colors in the U.S. and
Europe has been overwhelming,” said Lisa Cavallini,
president of Mostly Tights LLC (Women’s Wear Daily 2012).
• The hosiery industry has become synonymous with keepingup with the fashion industry, as well as developing its own
hosiery trends.
50 Shades of Grey
• Other trends which are thought to have helped with sales
include a rise in sexier items being consumed by a wider
market, boosted by the popularity of EL James’ 50
Shades trilogy.
• Ann Summers owner Jacqueline Gold believes the trilogy
has boosted sales for the chain as people are spicing up
their sex lives and investing in more exciting products
(December 2012).
• La Perla creative director Giovanni Bianchi said the book has
drawn new interest in seductive looks: “The sexiest styles
are always bestsellers, and I think that now we should focus
even more on legwear collections featuring the same lace
details and embroideries” (Women’s Wear Daily, 2012).
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Inexpensive treats
Royal sheers
• Consumers purchase hosiery at a low cost to update an
existing outfit rather than purchasing a new one.
• Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, has worn matte
and shiny nude-tone sheer hosiery and basic opaque tights
for all occasions influencing hosiery sales.
• Mintel (2012) and Keynote (2013) agree that hosiery
avoided the downturn most predominately as a result of
consumers buying items as inexpensive treats.
• Simon Mendez, president of the British Apparel Collection
commented: “After the economy tanked, people wanted a
less expensive way to accessorise and socks are a relatively
inexpensive way to make a fashion statement” (Women’s
Wear Daily 2013).
• Hosiery is viewed as an essential item and, as such, they
need to be updated and replaced regularly.
• Angela Hawkins, general manager of hosiery brands
including Hanes and L’eggs at Hanesbrands Inc said that
“Sales in the U.K. of sheer hosiery ...have soared 85 percent
over the past year ...We frequently see trends emanating
from Europe and this should be no different. There has
been a slow but steady increase in younger women wearing
sheer hosiery” (2011).
• Tightsplease reported seeing a 90 per cent increase in sales
of nude tights year-on-year, while Selfridges reported a 40
per cent rise (2011).
• Sales of flesh-toned tights have soared 500% thanks to the
Duchess of Cambridge (ASDA 2011).
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Seasonality
• “There is a limited hosiery market in the summer within
the UK. However, this is completely different in the rest of
Europe, many women don’t go out without tights in Spain
or Italy even in the summer” (Wolford source).
• “Traditionally I would launch a new season hosiery
collection around mid-August (based around ‘back to
school’) with more options and choices layered on around
mid-October. This season in the UK continues to sell well
until the end of February and then dwindles (weather
dependent)” (Hunkemöller source).
• Fine deniers (i.e. sheer hosiery) still do well through the
summer months. (Hunkemöller source)
Pricing
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
Price
Tights
Highest
£140.00 £21.00 £24.00
£90.00
£25.00
Average
£12
£11.00 £12.00
£26.00
£6.00
M&S
£8.00
Autograph
£6.00
(3
pairs)
£5.00
£5.00
£5.00
(3
pairs)
Lowest
£3.00
£3.00
£4.50
£4.00
£1.50
Kneehighs
Stockings Stay
up
Socks
13
Packaging innovation
Pretty Polly, Coffee Cup, 2009
• Beattie McGuinness Bungay designed the packaging
for a range of Pretty Polly tights designed by the House
of Holland.
• The range was sold exclusively in Selfridges and came in
cardboard takeaway coffee cups, marked with the words:
“Caution Hot Tights.“
• Gail Newport, Marketing Manager for Pretty Polly, said:
“When Pretty Polly signed with Henry Holland we wanted
to create packaging for the product that was both quirky
and eye-catching to reflect Henry’s unique design style.
The resulting ‘coffee cup’ container plays on the concept of
a ‘pick-me up’ product and also looks great on the
shop floor.”
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
Packaging is a key element to achieve
maximum product visibility at point of
sale and capture the attention
of buyers.
14
Charnos, 75th anniversary, 2011
• October 2011 was National Stockings Day, an idea was
introduced by Charnos to encourage women to embrace
their sensuality as well as raise money in aid of breast
cancer care. It also marked the 75th anniversary of Charnos
Hosiery.
• To commemorate the occasion, they also launched a
collection of styles — and package illustrations — all
inspired by beautiful women throughout history and
designed specifically to tailor to different leg shapes. The
collection was inspired by: Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy,
Katharine Hepburn, Betty Grable, Brigitte Bardot and Ava
Gardner.
• The line includes the Brigitte, sheer tights with black polka
dots in the style of the French Sixties siren, and the Marilyn,
sexy sheer stockings with a diamanté velour bow at the
ankle inspired by “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.”
• £1.00 from every pair of Ava, Katharine or Marilyn stockings
that was sold between Monday 17th and Sunday 23rd
October also went towards Breast Cancer Care.
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Fogal, 2012
Lindex, 2012
• Bel Epok developed a reduced range of entirely new colours
and updating and refining the existing logo and packaging.
• “Fashion forward and drawing on the high quality
function and fit for which the brand is well known, the
packaging collection is exciting and contemporary and has
standout not only within the store, but within the whole
hosiery market.”
• A lovely colour palette
• Red Dot Design Award – Winner 2012
On-brand packaging
Hobbs, NW3 Pets boxed set
White Stuff, I Love Tights Or My Sweet Tweet
• Hobbs NW3 collection fuses “Britain’s reverence for
tradition and its tradition for irreverence.”
• The I Love Tights or My Sweet Tweet packaging symbolises
their intention to put ‘happiness in every stitch’.
• The boxed packaging is on brand as it uses one of the
collections signature, unique prints.
• The words look like they have been stitched on and even
the wording is humorous and happy.
• When you take of the three pairs of socks can be seen with
animals on the front.
• The way its packaged relates to the brands ‘playful wit
and whimsy.’
• As Hobbs intended it is clear that this piece has a
story to tell.
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Packaging: Photography conventions
• No head shots
• Denier number
• Name or type of hosiery with matching image
or description
• Number of products in the package
• Colour
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Packaging: Key information
Size charts
Wash and care information
Materials
(The hosiery market is often divided
in terms of quality, with the high
end opting for materials made from
natural fibres, such as cotton and linen,
while lower-cost versions mainly use
new fibres, such as Lycra, and/or a
combination of natural and manmade
materials.)
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Hosiery in store
• Display led by Range then Denier
then Colour
• Hosiery is usually sited in
Womenswear with adjacencies to
either Lingerie or Footwear,
if applicable.
• Often displayed at till points as a
secondary location
• Food halls are also used as a
secondary location for hosiery,
for relevant retailers
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Planet comparison brands and products
Ann Taylor
Talbots
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Jacques Vert brands that could consider
hosiery in the future
Eastex
• ‘Smart and sophisticated, Eastex is the destination shop for all your seasonal essentials. You will find a range of looks to suit
all occasions, as well as great updates for your everyday wardrobe. Eastex is an established collection available in sizes 10-20,
providing you with quality and comfort without compromising on style.’ (Eastex website)
• Hosiery is suitable according to this description:
ͳͳ It would be effective to add the accessory of hosiery to suit all occasions.
ͳͳ The comfort of the hosiery could also be emphasised. New innovations can achieve a much more comfortable fit.
ͳͳ There are also lots of prints in the collections which could be utilised for interesting styles of hosiery and packaging.
Similar brands:
Viyella
J.Crew
Dash
• Very similar to the brand Joules as there are more eccentric
pieces, more colours and a country feel to it.
• Wellysocks would be a good addition to the Dash brand
Joules
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Manufacturing/imports
Manufacturing
• Traditionally Italy was where most of the manufacturing
was based. It is now based more so in Eastern Europe Serbia, Turkey and also China.
• The typical manufacturing lead time from design
concept to in-store: For Wolford it takes about 7 months
from inspiration, design, development, prototypes,
manufacturing, distribution/sales.
UK Imports of Hosiery, 2009‑2011
Source: UK tradeinfo, HM Revenue & Customs
Hosiery
2009
2010
2011
428,932.80
464,037.30
518,571.40
Imports
• In 2011, approximately £1.34bn worth of corsetry, lingerie
and hosiery was imported into the UK, with hosiery
accounting for the largest share. Imports of hosiery
continually increased over the 3-year review period.
Imports of lingerie from countries outside of the EU had
the greatest value over the review period, specifically
accounting for 80.7% of all imports in 2011. Regions in Asia
— such as Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China (PRC)
and India — were all leading distributors.
The future of UK hosiery
• The UK hosiery sector is forecast by Keynote to
increase continuously over the forthcoming 5
years, specifically by 13.6%, from a value of £878m
in 2013 to £997m in 2017, representing an increase
of 13.6%.
• As the economy recovers inexpensive treats will
be replaced by consumers buying into higher-cost
markets. It has also been said that there will be
continued price deflation as competition increases.
(Pretty Polly source)
The Forecast UK Hosiery Sector by Value at Current Prices 2013‑2017
(Keynote) rsp — retail selling prices
2013
2014
2015 2016 2017
878
911
940
968
997
% change year-on-year 4
3.8
3.2
3
3
Share of the total
lingerie market (%)
26.6
26.6
26.6
26.5
Value (£m at rsp)
26.5
• Despite this, market value growth will be
consistently fuelled by new innovations.
• The value of the hosiery sector is forecast to
increase as items become more incorporated into
consumers’ daily wardrobes. This is expected to be
achieved through items continuing to reflect the
changes within the fashion industry.
• Many specialist brands of hosiery products are
becoming increasingly recognisable to consumers.
• This is supported by a source at Hunkemöller who
does not think the buoyancy of the market will
change any time soon due to new trends and the
strength of fashion hosiery and yarn innovations.
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Opportunities
Product trends and developments
• New product developments and innovations have increased
the value of the market.
• Hosiery shapewear items have grown in popularity with
products aimed at helping women achieve their idealistic
body shapes.
• Over 80% of the total and today’s market demands centre
largely on shaping and structure enhancement for women.
(Journal for Asia on Textile and Apparel, December 2011)
• Lycra’s Xceptionelle hosiery is based on a patent-pending
construction that accommodates the differing body shapes
of larger women, offering greater overall garment comfort
by helping to prevent dig-in at the waist or thigh.
• Other improvements have also been applied, including
compression knitting, which makes tights feels tighter
across ankles and thighs, facilitating better circulation;
active ingredients, such as vitamin E and gingko biloba, have
been bonded to tights during the dyeing process, acting as
a moisturiser for legs (Keynote, 2013).
The population
• Female population statistics from the ONS’s Social Trends
publication reveal that the total female population has risen
continually up to 2011. The overall increase is beneficial for
the industry.
• Tights, stocking and hold-ups were originally made of nylon
or wool; however, over the last 20 years materials such as
Lycra, polyamide, elastane and other premium ‘stretch’
fibres have been used.
Innovation and product quality are
confirmed levers necessary to stem
the competition and maintain a
consistently high the attention of
the consumer.
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Recommendations
A capsule collection:
• 15/20 denier tights – matt and/or shine finish – black,
barely black (a better seller than black on sheers) and
skintone/nude shades.
• 30 and/or 50 denier opaque tights – black only
• Knee highs – fine deniers (colours similar to above). There could also be a lace option as there are a few lace
Planet products
• Shaping tights (with control top) – could be fine deniers,
heavier opaque deniers, fashion/patterned legs.
• Ladder resistant, cooling finishes, support legs.
• Good quality to gain customers’ brand loyalty.
• Minimum of 12 options
The Retail Practice can help
Customer and further insight
•• Click here for our insight project example ••
And currently we’re helping e-tail start-ups and Douwe Egberts with insight projects to inform
strategic project delivery.
Develop Brand and Range strategy
Our team includes product development and brand development expertise.
•• Click here for our brand creation project example ••
Packaging and Photography
•• Click here for our packaging example ••
This re-packaged hosiery was +65% on the year with same range and same space.
Multi-channel marketing/awareness campaigns
•• Click here for our marketing example ••
Contact Shelly Tweed
[email protected]
+44 (0)7703 599 577
•
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Hunkemöller new packaging
Repacking resulted in Hosiery being +65% on the year.
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
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Glossary
A
G
Abrasion Resistance – The degree to which a fabric is able
to withstand rubbing and chafing within the shoe.
All-In-One tights – includes a true knitted-in panty,
constructed of heavier weight nylon or cotton. Eliminates
“panty lines” that can show through clingy knits or tight pants.
Ankle-socks – Hosiery with a top designed to cover the ankle
bone and extending less than 1/3 of the way up the largest
part of the calf.
Girdle Top – Tights with a sewn-on girdle, for the firmest
possible tummy control.
Graduated Support – This type of support hosiery is more
comfortable because there are no sudden changes in the
tightness of the spandex going up and down the leg.
B
Bikini tights - A style of tights with a sheer leg that extends to
the hip for wear with shorter hem-lines, short pants and deep
side-slit fashions.
Body Shapers – Term used to describe sheer hosiery
providing more support and control in the panty and thigh
portion of the garment.
Body Stocking – A body stocking, leotard or jumpsuit is a
garment that covers the torso and may extend to the toe.
Boot Topper – Knee-length men’s or women’s socks designed
to be worn folded over the boot top.
C
Comfort Top – A wide ribbed nylon band that holds sheer
knee highs up without cramping the calf.
Control Top – Tights with spandex in the top for soft girdle or
“control” effect.
Cuffed – Socks folded over at the top, usually just above the
ankle.
Cushioned – Any construction with a terry pile surface on one
side and a ribbed or plain knit surface on the other.
D
Demi-Toe – Stocking or tights with a nude, sheer heel and
reinforced toe. A popular fashion with sling back shoes.
Denier – The weight-per-unit-length of the yarn. The lower
the denier, the lighter and finer the yarn, and the sheerer the
garment.
Double Covered Spandex – Spandex that had been wrapped
in both directions with nylon or polyester continuous filament
yarn or other textile fibers.
H
Hold-Ups – Stockings that just reach the thigh and are held up
by elastomeric bands.
I
Irregulars – Hosiery that contains minor imperfections in
dimensions, size, color or knit but without obvious mends,
runs, breaks or substantial damage to yarn or fabric.
J
Jacquard – An intricate process for knitting patterns, designs,
or textures into the sock fabric. Jacquard equipment is
necessarily slower than conventional knitting machines.
K
Knee-Highs – Short hosiery that comes up to just below the
knee. They are styled with elastic tops and stay up without the
help of garters.
Knee Warmers – Thigh high knitted garment that usually has
no knitted foot and extends from above the ankle or calf over
the knee to approximately mid thigh.
L
Leg Warmer – Originally popular with dancers, leg warmers
have become a fashion item. Knitted from wool or acrylics, leg
warmers are lds hosiery, socks and half-hose for its stretch and
recovery properties, providing better fit and shape retention,
comfort, and/or support.
M
Maternity – Tights constructed specifically for
expectant mothers.
Matte – Hosiery with a dull finish; minus a shine or lustre.
Mock Seams – A false seam sewn into the back of a seamless
stocking of circular knit hosiery.
E
O
Elasticised – Fabrics which have elastic threads running
through them, or which have been treated to give them elastic
qualities.
Ethnic – Usually sheer hosiery (knee-high, stockings or
pantyhose) dyed in colours designed to compliment the
natural skin tones of various ethnic population groups.
One Size – The term applied to tights or stockings that fit
most sizes from very small to large.
Opacity – Degree to which light passes through, not
transparent.
Opaque – Stockings or tights made of yarn which give them
heavier appearance, usually 40 denier or greater
in weight.
F
Firm Support – tights that give more support because heavier
weights (usually 70) of spandex are used.
Fishnet – Knitted knee-highs, stockings or pantyhose with a
very wide open knit resembling a fish net.
Footsocks – Hosiery with a top which does not extend above
the ankle bone. Also known as “footsies”.
The Retail Practice Jacques Vert Group hosiery opportunity
S
Seamed – Hosiery manufactured in the old full-fashioned
manner with a seam running up the back of the leg.
Seamless – Stockings knit in one operation on circular
machines (one continuous operation) so that no seaming is
required up the back.
26
Sheer Support – A term often used when describing support
tights, which are considerably more sheer than the original
support garments, due to improvements in yarns and
manufacturing techniques.
Sheers – Dress sheers are hosiery fashioned generally of 15
or 20 denier yarn – to be worn for daytime glamour. Evening
sheers are hosiery fashioned of wisp-weight 10, 12, or 15
denier yarn – to be worn for special occasions.
Slipper Sock – Casual in the house or bedtime sock that
usually has a bonded sole of rubber, leather or extra
cushioning on the bottom.
Spandex – A generic term denoting a man-made elastomeric
fiber used in place of rubber. Spandex is used in support and
light support products to provide the energy to shape and
compress the leg.
Split Sole – The foot of a sock made from two
different materials.
Sports Specific Socks – Contain extra padding and differ
according to where the protective padding is placed – ball,
toes, instep, heel, arch, shin – how thick the padding is and
what materials they are made of.
Stocking – A knitted, close-fitting covering for the foot
and leg.
Stretch Hosiery – Stockings knit of processed nylon filament
yarn treated to give permanent stretchability. Stretch stockings
“change” size to fit each foot, leg length, and volume perfectly.
T
Tights – Called pantyhose in the US a one-piece clinging
garment covering the body from the waist to the feet.
Toelets – Knitted hosiery of various weights that is designed to
cover the toe portion of the foot only.
U
U Seams – tights that are sewn one leg blank to another
with a continuous U seam to join the legs. They have no crotch
sewn in.
Ultra Sheer – A fine denier fiber which gives the ultimate
in sheerness. It is usually 20 denier or less and a low
filament count.
Unboarded – Hosiery not subjected to preboarding or
boarding operations in its manufacture. In appearance it is
wrinkled and shapeless until stretched over the leg and body.
V
Vivana – A registered BASF trademark for a yarn used in shiny
tights and the panty of some styles to give it sheen.
Y
Yarn – A generic term for an assemblage of fibers or filaments,
either natural or manufactured, twisted or laid together to
form a continuous strand suitable for use in producing fibers.
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