Nylon - Synthetic yarn developed by Du Pont in 1938...more

Cuban Heel - Classic square shaped heel on fully fashioned stockings...more

Denier - The thickness of the yarn used to make the stocking...more

Seams - The join at the back of a fully fashioned stocking...more

Welt - The reinforced thigh at the top of the stocking...more

Stocking Stitch - A flat knitting stitch which makes ladders when one stitch is broken...more

Ladders - These occur in stockings knitted in stocking stitch...more

Reinforced Foot - The sole of the stocking has two layers.

Mesh - Interlocking stitches which will result in a hole if a stitch is broken...more

Holes - These occur in stockings knitted in mesh stitch.

Semi Fashioned - Heat treated stockings which are shaped to the leg...more

Needle - Unit of sheerness for seamfree stockings.

Shadow Welt - Below the welt on the thigh, this is usually about 1" deep...more

Transfer - The logo on the welt of the stocking...more

Contrast Seam - The seam is a different colour to the stocking...more

Crepe - Slightly textured stitch popular in the 1970s.

Demi Toe - Reinforced toe and sheer heel.

Fishnet - Large mesh-knit stitch.

Gauge - The amount of stitches per oldinch of fabric...more

Havana Heel - Square heel slightly wider than Cuban...more

Hold Ups - Stockings with an elsticated welt first introduced in the 1960s.

Lace - Fancy stitch stockings

Lycra - Stretchy yarn which facilitates better fit.

Micromesh - Very dense mesh stitch... more

Mock Seams - Stockings which are knitted in the round and have a sewn-in seam...more

Opera Length - Very long stockings originally worn by showgirls...more

Point Heel - Like it says; first introduced the the 1950s...more

Run Resist - Stockings made with a mesh stitch...more

Sandal Toe/Foot - Sheer stocking with no reinforcing.

Seconds - A large proportion of stockings are 'second quality' they have minor flaws.

Stretch Stockings - Unshaped stockings with Lycra for greater fit, introduced c1970.