Tights belong to the female fashion world for a long time. Even if tights were a preferred accessory for men they became a regular component in the ladies wardrobe in the 1960Žs, when everybody started to wear mini skirts. You can get tights in different thread sizes. This is measured in denier or dtex. The threadŽs weight is specified with 9000m in denier and with 10000m in dtex. The thread size is the clue how transparent the pantyhose is.
This is devided by 3 points: transparent (almost invisible), semi opaque (lightly covers the leg, skin still shines through) and opaque (fully covers). Generally speaking tights are transparent under 20denier, semi opaque between 20 and 40denier and opaque from 40denier most of the time. Usually you connect the denier information with sheer tights, knitwear tights do not have denier informations. These are reference values and sometimes a 60denier pantyhose seems semi opaque, or a 70denier pantyhose looks almost transparent.
Another difference is the panty part. If this part is knitted really thick it is called reinforced panty or slip. Continously transparent means the pantyhose has the same material features all over the pantyhose but is still designed with a run resistant option. The used materials for tights cover a wide range of fibers.
Polyamide, Elastane, cotton and virgin wool. Modern fiber technology makes it possible to enhance the fibers with substances which are emit to the skin. This technology enables a new perspective for tights beyond the fashionable aspect, it is even used for medical purposes.