Q:
What does Denier, Gauge, and Needle mean?
A:
Opps! I forgot to mention this in my earlier post about
stockings! If you want to know more about stockings you can read about them
here.
Basically denier, gauge and needle refer to the sheerness
and density of the weave of the stockings.
Denier is the most common term and its still used today on
modern stockings and tights. It refers to the thickness of a single thread of the
yarn used. 15 denier was the original minimum thickness used, although you can
get 5 denier stockings. 15 denier stockings are ultra sheer and they can also
be referred to as “dress sheers”, they aren’t generally considered strong
enough for day to day wear. Vintage stockings for everyday wear generally start
at 30 denier, and they use multifilament thread.
Gauge and Needle are simply different ways of measuring the
same thing, they measure the number of stitches in 1 ½ inches of stocking. 60
gauge equals 474 needle. So the higher the gauge the tighter the knit, its like
thread count in sheets, the tighter the knit the stronger the stockings.
In dress sheers there are 3 very common combinations used,
15 denier and 51 gauge, 15 denier and 54 gauge, 15 denier and 60 gauge. With 60
gauge stockings considered the most prized, the most luxurious.
I’m going to be very honest here, I really can’t tell the
difference. I’ve heard people say the 60 gauge isn’t as sheer but it feels much
silkier and firmer on the leg. I’ve taken a photo of three different stockings
for you, to see if you can tell which is which, but unfortunately with the
autofocus on my camera its a little difficult, but see what you think...
The bottom pair 60’s, the middle 54’s and the top 51’s. All
are 15 denier vintage stockings but not the same brand or age so that probably affects
things too.
Tell me you love my new black diamond heels, because I adore
them!!
