For: Christmas stocking For: Stocking, Austria

A stocking, sometimes referred to as hose, is a close-fitting, variously elastic garment covering the foot and lower part of the leg. Stockings vary in color and transparency. By analogy, the term is also used to describe a type of horse marking in which the white coloring extends from the horse's hoof to just above the knee.

History

Fashion often dictates the popularity of stockings along with the styles that are available. It was formerly made of woven cloth but now of knitted wool, silk, cotton or nylon (see hosiery). The word stock used to refer to the bottom "stump" part of the body, and by analogy the word was used to refer to the one-piece covering of the lower trunk and limbs of the 1400s—essentially tights consisting of the upper-stocks (later to be worn separately as knee breeches) and nether-stocks (later to be worn separately as stockings). (See Hose.)

Half-stockings, covering the foot and part of the calf only, are commonly called socks. This word is an adaptation of Latin soccus, a slipper or light shoe. It was the shoe worn by the actors in Roman comedy—and so was used symbolically of comedy, as buskin, the high boot, was of tragedy.

Functionality

In modern usage, stocking specifically refers to the form of women's hosiery configured as two pieces, one for each leg. The term hold-ups and thigh highs refers to stockings that stay up on their own, while the word stockings is the general term or refers to the kind of stockings that need a suspender belt (garter belt, in Am English), and are quite distinct from tights or pantyhose (Am English). Thigh highs are often perceived as preferable to pantyhose for various reasons, such as:

• Aesthetics — garters, lace, top fashion, applique, exposure of the thigh, complexity (though it is possible to make tights with fake stocking tops near the top of the legs)
• Easier and quicker access to the genital area — enhances sexual spontaneity
• Message — as more detail is involved, a perception of erotic intent is raised
• Health and cleanliness — less sweat, more ventilation; reduction of fungal and bacterial challenge
• Personal convenience — it is considerably easier and quicker to go to the toilet while wearing stockings

Stockings and hosiery are worn primarily by women, although they are also sometimes worn by men (see cross-dressing).

Usage

Many people prefer the look of garter belt. Others feel that stay-ups are easier to find, as they are sold in most retail locations, whereas garter belts and garters are not--or feel that stay-up stockings have less distortion of the top band, an important aesthetic consideration if this band is lace.