Tights

Lore & Background

Originally derived from the hose worn by European men several centuries ago, tights were made as close fitting as possible for practical reasons when riding horseback. For men of nobility, the material would be made of silk or fine wool rather than the coarser fabrics used by the lower classes. At the time of King Henry VIII of England, such was the male fashion for displaying a well turned leg that even the king padded the calf area under his hose. Portrait paintings of him and other nobility often portray the wearing of a codpiece covering the groin. In both historic and modern times, the wearing of tight hosiery by males has been associated with an accompanying garment fitted at the groin over the male genitalia. In the 15th century, some men wore an elaborate and decorative codpiece to accentuate their endowment. In modern times, tights intended for dancers are usually opaque, although their form-fitting nature can still reveal the exact contours of the anatomy underneath. Male ballet dancers generally wear a dance belt beneath their tights both to provide support to the genitalia and to promote a smooth, regular appearance. Wearing two pairs of tights is also a common practice among male dancers, as it guards against the combination of stretched fabric and bright stage lights making them appear translucent. When made of fine silk, this hosiery was considered to be a stocking. When nylon fibres were developed and introduced in the 1940s, these stockings were referred to as nylons. When the separate legs were woven together with a panty that covered the lower torso up to the waist in a single, integrated format, the term pantyhose was coined. In American English, the difference between pantyhose and tights is determined in the weight of the yarn used and the density or tightness of weaving; generally, anything up to forty denier in the leg or overall is known as pantyhose and anything over that can be classified as tights.

Reader's Guide

Tights have a long history as a practical and fashionable garment, originally worn by European men for horseback riding and later adopted by both sexes. Their significance lies in their evolution from separate leg coverings to integrated pantyhose, and in their role in dance, theatre, and modern athletic wear. In the world of theatre, tights are common, especially in Renaissance-era costumes and ballet. Athletic tights, often footless and made of thicker spandex-blend, are used in bicycling, running, and other sports; some sport scientists have advocated that wearing tights can reduce muscle tissue vibration. In British English, the word 'tights' is used for footed garments worn under other clothing, while 'leggings' refers to footless leg-wear; the word 'pantyhose' is not used in British English. Tights continue to be manufactured in many varieties for stylistic and comfort reasons, including control top, seamless, support, and sheer types, and modern blends often include lycra to improve fit.

Did You Know?

• The term 'pantyhose' was coined when separate legs were woven together with a panty in a single, integrated format, eliminating the need for garters.
• In American English, tights are generally classified as anything over forty denier in the leg or overall, while pantyhose are up to forty denier.
• Male ballet dancers often wear a dance belt beneath their tights for support and to promote a smooth appearance, and some wear two pairs to avoid translucency under stage lights.