Tights FAQ

Don't know what the number in your tights mean, or what the difference is between leggings and tights? We have collected some of our most commonly asked questions about tights and have answered them below.

For questions related to your order, please take a look at our general FAQ. If you can't find what you're looking for, don't hesitate to email us at info@swedishstockings.com.

What is denier?

Have you ever wondered what the number on tights mean? Denier, also referred to as den, measures the thickness of tights. The lower the denier, the thinner and more sheer the tights will be. Even though we offer tights of the best quality, higher denier and thus more opaque pairs of tights are more durable than more sheer ones. Want to know more about various deniers? Read our full denier guide here.

What are tights made of?

Tights are usually made of polyamide (nylon) and elastane (spandex). These materials provide the necessary elasticity and strength to keep the tights in shape and prevent sagging or sliding down. Tights can also be made from cotton or wool, typically blended with polyamide and elastane to maintain their shape and elasticity.

Polyamide is a polymer originally derived from crude oil. Across Swedish Stockings' product range, our styles average 86% recycled materials. Utilizing recycled polyamide helps lower the environmental impact by reducing reliance on raw oil and minimizing energy consumption during production.

Are tights and leggings the same thing?

No, tights and leggings are not the same thing. Tights is legwear that covers the entire leg, from the toes up to the waist. Leggings are more like pants that cover the legs from the waist down to the ankles, leggings are tights without feet.

What is the difference between tights, leggings, pantyhose, stockings, and hosiery?

Tights, leggings, stockings, pantyhose, and hosiery are all terms used to describe various types of legwear, but they each have distinct characteristics and purposes.

Tights are typically opaque or semi-opaque legwear that covers the entire leg, from the toes up to the waist.

Pantyhose are sheer tights that cover the entire leg from the toes up to the waist. Leggings are more like stretchy pants that cover the legs from the waist down to the ankles, they don’t have feet.

Stockings are usually referring to legwear that covers the foot and extends up to the thigh or higher, but they do not cover the entire leg. They are usually worn with a garter belt or suspender to hold them up, although some modern stockings come with built-in silicone bands to help them stay in place.

Hosiery is a general term that refers to any type of legwear, including tights, stockings, pantyhose, and leggings. It encompasses a wide range of styles, materials, and purposes for covering the legs.

Where do you produce your tights?

All of our tights are knitted in Italy, not only because the Italians have been producing high quality hosiery for a long time, but also because the factories we work with have extremely high ethical, social and environmental standards. You can read more about our production here, and see all the factories we work with here.

How are tights made?

At Swedish Stockings, we focus on crafting high-quality tights that are designed to last. Constructing better tights is a key component of how we work with sustainability — and we take pride in the intricate craft of tights production. All our products are knitted and handmade in Italy, and the process consists of 4 main steps: knitting, sewing, dyeing and packing. You can read more about the craft of tights production here.

What are seamless tights?

Curious about seamless tights and why they're becoming more popular? Seamless tights feature a construction free from seams that offers a smooth, sleek silhouette and are guaranteed sag-free. Unlike traditional tights with seams and a cotton gusset, seamless tights provide a second-skin feel that moves with your body, ensuring all-day comfort.

We offer premium quality seamless tights that combine comfort, style, and durability. They are made from recycled materials in Italy in an environmentally responsible production process. Explore Beata Tights, sheer 15 denier with a low waist and toe reinforcement for increased durability. Hanna Tights are semi-opaque 40 denier with a high waist and toe reinforcement. Our seamless tights offer superior softness, stretch, and breathability, ensuring a perfect fit and lasting comfort.

How do I know what size to choose on tights?

If you're wondering how to select the right size when shopping for tights, you're not alone. Choosing the correct size is crucial for ensuring comfort and a flattering fit. We offer a size guide on all product pages which is also linked here. In addition to this, there are some things to keep in mind.

We want to simplify the process for you, so you can confidently find the ideal tights size for your body and preferences. Selecting the perfect tights size involves considering several factors. Find your size in the size chart found here or on all product pages, it considers your height and weight to ensure the tights will fit proportionately. If you find yourself in between sizes we recommend the larger one, the same if you usually experience that your legs are long. If you choose a smaller or larger size than needed you may experience slight sagging of the tights, and if you choose a size too big the tights might slide down.

On the respective product pages we have written a note if the products are unusually small or large in size, otherwise we recommend choosing according to the guidelines above. Don’t hesitate to contact our customer service if you need further assistance.

Do you have tights without a toe seam?

No, we don’t offer tights without a toe seam. Nylon tights are manufactured using a circular knitting machine, which produces a tubular fabric without seams along the legs. Circular knitting machines can produce seamless tubular fabric for the legs, but they typically can't create a closed toe section without a seam. Thus, a seam is added during the finishing process to complete the construction of the tights. This also increases the fit and durability of the toe section of the tights.

Do you have tights without toe reinforcement?

To make our tights more durable, they feature reinforced toes to prevent runs and snags. We don’t offer tights without toe reinforcement, but it is not very visible on all styles - for instance it doesn’t show on higher denier tights. Some of our socks and knee-highs are without toe reinforcement.

How do I wash my tights?

We suggest hand-washing your tights in cold water after every 5-6 wears, or as needed, to remove body oils and dead skin cells. Alternatively, you can machine-wash them on a delicate cycle at 30 degrees Celsius, preferably inside a mesh garment bag such as GuppyFriend (this also keeps microplastics out of our rivers and oceans). To prevent snagging, avoid washing the tights with items that have zippers, hooks, clasps, metal parts, or heavy-duty fabrics.

Can tights go in the dryer?

We don’t recommend putting any of our products in the dryer, as the high heat can cause them to break, shrink, lose elasticity, or even melt if the temperature is too high. It's best to air dry them by laying them flat or hanging them up. This helps maintain their shape and prolongs their lifespan. How do I recycle tights after usage? Even though we produce tights in the best quality possible, nylon tights are delicate by nature. Once you’ve used your tights to their full life span we recommend sending your used tights to our recycling program. Since nylon is a synthetic polymer (a type of plastic) we strongly discourage you to throw them in the bin.

Through our recycling program we collect thousands of tights every year and prevent them from ending up in landfills. Together with furniture designer Gustaf Westman we produce tables from the old tights. Our tables (depending on their size) contain between 80 and 350 pairs of tights. Do you have a pile of old tights at the back of your closet? Send them to us for recycling, read more here.

How do I discard used tights?

Even though we produce tights in the best quality possible, nylon tights are delicate by nature. Once you’ve used your tights to their full life span we recommend sending your used tights to our recycling program. Since nylon is a synthetic polymer (a type of plastic) we strongly discourage you to throw them in the bin.

Is it possible to recycle used tights?

At the moment it is not possible to make new tights out of old ones. The technology to separate the polyamide from the elastane is not commercially available. However, we have another solution to keep your tights out of the trash.

My tights keep ripping, what should I do?

Even though our products are of high quality, the very nature of stockings makes them delicate, and thus they should be treated as such. If you tend to break your tights easily, try a higher denier (a thicker pair) since they are more durable, and wear additional socks on top of your tights in shoes. Be careful with jewelry when touching your tights, make sure to have your nails and toenails are filed smooth, and avoid snagging on heels and dry cuticles by using moisturizers.

We have compiled some care tips to promote the longevity of your tights. When purchasing tights, use our size guide on each product page to ensure the perfect fit.

Before putting your tights on, stretch them gently to prepare them for wear. When putting them on, make sure your nails are smooth and you have no sharp jewelry on. Then, scrunch one leg together and put one foot in, pull the tights up to your knee. Repeat the same step with the other leg, stopping at the knee. Apply the same method to pull the rest of the tights up over your thighs and hips. If you need to correct the tights, do this gently or start the process over again.

We recommend hand washing in cold water with mild detergent to minimize energy consumption and water usage. We suggest gently squeezing out excess water and laying the hosiery flat to dry. Furthermore, we encourage you to store your stockings away from sharp objects to prevent snagging or tearing.

If you want to explore our full care guide, you can find it here.