Pantyhose Components
Natural cotton and wool pantyhose became things of the past long ago. Both cotton and wool rub sore, roll up and very quickly loose vendibility while wearing. Basic material for producing pantyhose is polyamide with different additions. Lycra (also called elastan, spandex and dorlastan) is added nearly into all pantyhose. Lycra was invented and is produced only by firm Du Pont. Pantyhose with lycra perfectly fit the leg, don’t stretch out and prevent laddering, they are soft and elastic, guarantee freedom of movement, have massaging effects and add shimmer to pantyhose.
Maximum percentage of lycra in pantyhose is 30%. 3-5% percentage of lycra means that it is only in pantyhose’s waistband – such pantyhose will bag on you.
There’s 10% of lycra in thin and transparent pantyhose, and 30% in pantyhose of medium thickness.
The more percentage of lycra in pantyhose the higher it’s price. Recently, three-dimensional lycra (Lycra 3D) came on the market. Thanks to this unique technology, even the thinnest pantyhose have heightened elasticity and they wear longer.
But the price of such pantyhose is high. In the winter time, it’s better to choose pantyhose with cotton or wool for special warmth and comfort, but they must also contain lycra, otherwise they will wrinkle on knees and ankles.
But, as French people say, “woman may have wrinkles on her face, but she must have none on her pantyhose”.
Recently, pantyhose with microfiber became more and more popular. Microfiber is polyamide fiber, that consist of great amount of thinner fibers.
The more there is of such fibers in the thread, the softer and silkier it is to the touch. Pantyhose with microfiber are delicate, soft, velvety, wormer and much stronger then usual ones and they don’t rub sore at heels. More over, they are highly competitive with natural materials in hygroscopic qualities.
But also, they are more expensive.
Reasonably priced pantyhose are ones with addition of acryl – artificial wool.
They are softer and warmer and they are better to be worn in the winter time.
But they look cheap and pellets soon appear on them. That’s why such pantyhose are good to wear under pants and not with a skirt.
The Majority pantyhose are composed of nylon and a small quantity of spandex, which provides the elasticity and shape fitting that is characteristic of modern pantyhose. Unfortunately, the nylon cloth is little prone to tearing and it is usual for extremely sheer hose to ‘rush’ soon after snagging on anything rough or sharp.