Tights
Tights are a type of leg coverings fabric extending from the waist to feet.
Athletic tights are considered unisex. In fashion they are today worn primarily by
women and
girls, as well as infants and toddlers of both sexes. In recent years they are also sometimes offered as men's fashion and tights might evolve into a unisex-garment.
In American English, the difference between pantyhose and tights in women's fashion is determined in the weight of the yarn used and the thickness to which the garment is knitted. Generally, anything up to 40 denier would be known as pantyhose and anything over can be classified as tights.
Encyclopedia
Tights are a type of leg coverings fabric extending from the waist to feet.
Athletic tights are considered unisex. In fashion they are today worn primarily by
women and
girls, as well as infants and toddlers of both sexes. In recent years they are also sometimes offered as men's fashion and tights might evolve into a unisex-garment.
In American English, the difference between pantyhose and tights in women's fashion is determined in the weight of the yarn used and the thickness to which the garment is knitted. Generally, anything up to 40 denier would be known as pantyhose and anything over can be classified as tights. In the
United Kingdom the word "tights" is always used.
There are many sub-classifications of women's tights/pantyhose that describe the precise construction . Although most tights are mainly
nylon or
cotton,
lycra is normally included in modern blends.
In women's fashion, unfooted tights are usually called leggings. Athletic tights are often unfooted, although they may have a "stirrup" that goes under the foot to hold the cuff down near the ankle.
Historical 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.
Examples of current use
Tights are common in the world of
theater, especially in
Renaissance-era
costumes, and
dance.
The term "tights" has been used to try to ridicule certain traditional British uniform. Most famously the
Serjeant-at-Arms at the
Palace of Westminster, after a protester got past the security, were described in the media as "middle aged men in tights"
Athletic use
For horseback riding, tights refers to light jodhpurs that are worn in summer or as an undergarment in winter. These pants, or 'riding tights', are cheaper to buy than jodhpurs or breeches . In warm climates they can be worn all year round.
Tights can also describe the leg coverings worn in
cycling and other athletics, especially by runners and wrestlers. These tights are usually a thicker spandex-blend, and are usually footless.
Athletic tights received some publicity during the 2005-2006
basketball season, when players started wearing the ankle-length tights under their uniform
shorts. A prominent
NBA player,
Kobe Bryant, was one of the first to wear tights, and the style was subsequently adopted by several other NBA players, as well as some college and high school players. The style sparked controversy, leading to proposals to prohibit wearing tights with basketball uniforms.
See also
, a parody film
